The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-06

the farther end Of the church. and returning by the
side aisles; the head Of each procession meeting in
| front Of the chancel, where as many as could De
| accommodated ct one time knelt down. Those VINO
followed then formed in the rear of the others who
| were kneeling-the boys with their hands across
their breasts and the girls with theirs casped IN an
easy attitude.
the extreme, and was at once simple and imposing
Directly beneath where sat, was the venerable pre-
late in the act of celebrating mass around him, In
kneeling attitude, were the endant priests
stationed in such manner as to give the best effect
10 the scene Two others stood just within the rail-
| ing Of the chance about to distribute the sacra-
mental bread TO the trustful beings who were pros
i trate before them, and beyond and occupying the
different aisles were the advancing professions. At
this interesting moment the organ poured forth the
| national air OF God the Queen; the females
singing the hymn to the Virgin, commencing with
Nous vous invoqnons tou-,
intercsder POUR nous
Mere de Dieu.
Priez pour vos eafans,
Dams nos combats presents,
Dams nos asrniers instant,
we all invoke thee-intercede for us-Mother Of
God Pray for your children, in their present con.
hicts-in their last moments-Mother of Cod
When the communion had been dispensed to those
who were kneeing, they and RETIRED passing in
front OF the others Immediately in their rear who
then advanced and occupied the space thus made
vacant their places being supplied by the advancing
procession. This ceremony occupied probably half
an hour, when the Bishop wearing his mitre, ascend
ed the pulpit and delivered his charge in French,
which considered rather long, considering the ten
der age Of those to whom ostensibly addressed
He then returned to the chansel, where he again
dsrobed retaining only the embroidered muslin tu-
mic which he wore when he entered the church; and
resuning the purple cape and wearing his mitre he
proceeded to administer the rite of confirmation; the
candidates again advancing to the front of the chan
Gel, in the same manner az when they partook Of
the communion; and after being confirmed retiring
with tie anne regularity In performing the cere-
mony, the Bishop passed along the line from right
to left alternately. This consisted in placing his
sacred oil to the forehead Of the recipient, which q
priest who accompanied him, rubbed with cloth
which be carried On the other side of the Bishop,
there was another priest who uttered an invocation;
but whether In Latin or French, could net detect
where sat. Three attendants bearing the pastoral
crook. the staff with cross and lighted candle,
stood behind the prelate.
With the exception Of FIVE or six grown up per-
sons, most of those who partook Of the rite were
extremely young-a circumstance that Invested the
ceremony Of much of the interest which it would
otherwise have possessed for what idea can child
OF nine years Of age possess of the nature Of the
responsibilities which it thus assumes? believe in
the Protestant Episcopal church none are permitted
to be confirmed until they are of sufficient age to judge
and decide for themselves, and who voluntarily
come forward and devote themselves to the service
of their Creator.
Still, there was much to admire in what wit
to approve in thus dedicating the child in early
life to the service of its God than may at first be APP
parent. One fact cannot be disputed in connection
with this subject-the Roman Catholic popu-
their amiable, correct and irofensive de-
meanor, which is doubtless to be attributed to
the religious education and moral training of the
youthful portion of each succeeding generation 1t
Is probably in this way that wise and benefcent ar
rangement Of Providence Is best effected and large
and numerous class of persons are brought under
that control and direction which ensures the pune
tual performance of duties that have been enjoned
early life On every Sunday, in st. Roche suburbs
where am at present residing, the inhabitants of
which are with few exceptions, French Canadians,
see before me some three OF four thousand human
beings, contented and happy, who have assembled to
worship their Creator in the manner which they
have been taught is most acceptable, who, but for
the lessons Of piety thus inculcated, would for the
most part I" neither fear God nor regard man."
The number of well clad boys, and the appropri-
ate, uniform and tasteful dress Of the females,
evinced very gratifying assurance as to the pecu
MARY circumstances Of their parents, most Of whom
anccsponaneous on the part OF the priest, who has
affixed it to the hymn to the yrgin-of the national
air, during the services OF the morning, spoke vol
umes in favor of Protestant nation that has gov
erned the province, for nearly a century, with
leniency and consideration towards its subjects of
another faith, which they appear fully to appreciate
and thus gratefully acknowledge. What misery and
ilfeeling would have been prevented in Ireland had
unhappy country!
THE TERRITORIAL DISPUTE BETWEEN New
MEXICO AND CHIHUAHUA-GovERHoR LANES
DEFENCE OF His ANNEXATION Acr.-The Mex
lean journals publish the manifesto made by
Governor Lane of New Mexico to the chihuahua
commissioners, defending the position taken by him
in relation to the claims made by him, on the part
Of the United States, to the valley Of the Mesla.
This communication is dated 23d Of March. The
first paragraph of the document justifes Governor
Lane act, on the simple ground that the division
line run between the two republics, from the Rio
Grande to the Gila had been disapproved and repu-
dated by the President and Congress Of the United
States. Such line was run CT parte by Mexico, with
the sanction Of Mr.. Commissioner Bartlett against
the consent of Major Graham and under the protest
of Surveyor Grey, whose sanction thereto was ne
cessary to make the line valid. Mr.. Lane goes on to
say that neither the government nor the officers Of
the United States have any intention to sacrifice ma
tional honor violate the clauses of the treaty of
peace, but that, in fact the only violation of such
treaty which he has known has been perpetrated by
the Mexican citizens themselves. He assures the
Commissioners, besides that the civil discords which
unhappily reign in Mexico are the cause Of grief,
not Of joy to the American government, and the
majority of the nation.
The communication then shows that the political
and geographical position OF the disputed valley had