Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-12-03

balustrades remain as we saw them; but
at some time, during twenty-one years
which elapsed between his visit and ours,
the church had been much beauiifed in
ternally, and we all agreed in thinking it
tasteful and unique. To describe the dis
position of the interior of one church in
Mexico is TO describe nearly all. The
shrines, the twelve apostolic crosses, the
transept, the high altar, and the pulpits,
seem 10 have been built, not indeed upon
one model, but upon one idea, which
gives them close resemblance.
The prominent figure above the altar
is, in every case, the patron saint of the
church, and, (perhaps with no such un-
holy Intention, the trinal Deity appears
to be superseded by creature. The
picture, of course, in this church, is the
miraculous image, and it calls all the
worship of the great Mexican heart on this
festival to the Virgin in her character as
Protectress Of Mexico.
The walls and columns of pure white
plaster are bordered with gold, giving TO
the tout ensemble very much the appear
ance of white china, with gilt edges.
The inches are filled with gaudily dres-
sed saints, with little tabular shrine be-
fore each and among other relics, little
glass cases, filled with miniature legs,
arms, heads. eyes. ETC., in representation
of real members which have been miracu-
lously healed by the interposilion Of the
saint to whom these are offered. 1t may
be readily conceived thatsome of the saints
are more popular than others, and may re-
main in almost desolate loneliness, with
perhaps only single votary or two, until
some astonishing cure gives to them an
enviably notoriety, and-a neoc suit Of
fnery. once asked a priest whether
there was any difference in the efficacy OF
the saints "Oh' yes" said he, "some
nave much more influence than others y
and he gravely pointed out TO me one or
two shrines that were decided vogue at
that time.
But the picture! One rarely gets a
chance to see the miraculous in this age );
and as it is annually expose 10 the vulgar
gaze at this festival, we approach as near
the altar as we could, in order to satisfy
our longing and curious vision. Alas! for
poor heretcs-we only saw dingy time
faded painting--and illshaped woman, in
a bright red dress, trimmed with gold.
Her hands are clasped, and mantle of
celestial blue. sraneed with golden stars,
is thrown around her person. The Gre
scent moon is under her feet, and chsrubs'
heads, at the base of the picture, appear
10 support 1t. A radiant glory surrounds
the whole figure, not circular, but follow
ing the outline; and her subjects see such
benignity and love beaming from her
as mortal limner could never
express. We stood between thirty and
iorty feet from the picture, in right line.
lot near enough, indeed, 10 discern the
material upon which i! is painted, nor The
handling of the picture, but sufficiently |
lear TO give most unequlvocal testimony
o its faded and intrinsicaiy uninteresting
appearance.
Around the doors, we saw some of those
amous 'Cartas de lndulgencia,' which
he more enlightened nations and individ-
,als protesting Romanism have. we be-
ieve, long since repudia ted. Their tenor
S as follows: Fifty days of indulgence
will be granted TO any person who, with
oious and repentant heart, shall repeat one
hundred Palernosters or Ave Marias before
his placard* Luther did not wake up the
whole world. Ever since the time Of the
no intermission, no wa
'ering, and no hope of change-the Mex
can churches have preached to the peo-
lie, indulgencies-a principle which pro-
luced the mighty Reformation, and the
exposure Of which aided in leading the
human mind and ,he human heart trium-
,hantly forth from the bondage of the dark
gcs, and through the Red Sea of priestly
tyranny and sacrifice.
Not small portion of the revenue Of
his chapel arises from the sale Of relics,
II rather medals and rosarles, at the shrine.
They may be purchased at any price,
rom real to an onzo, and made of any
Material, from copper to gold--ali, no
oubt, equally consecrlted, but, TO our no.
ion, not equally valuable. always rely
pom the mystic power of the church, and
therefore, purchased the copper. also
fought a pectoral,t but lost it in the fol-
owing singular manner. In my hurry,
hrust it into my pocket, and forgot it en-
rely. In the evening paid visit, and
While recalling the events of the day, in
conversation with charming young lady,
suddenly remembered the little bag, and
rev it forth, creased and crumpled, from
nv pocket. Such torrent of 'Oh how
ould your and for shame y as poured
orlh at the sight of the insulted reliquary.
would have led one 10 think that had
cen caught in some unseemly delinquen-
- oo,l1 nraroJ ,,oOp har