The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-11-02

RELIGIOUS OBsERvANCEs.-Yest erday be.
ing the day set apart by the Catholic church.
es for the honor and invocation of such as in
ages past have secured their salvation, and
now reign with Christ in heaven, suitable
services were held at St. Mary's Church,
South Royal street, at I and 10 O'Clock A. NJ.
and p. M.
The ceremonies at 10 O'Clock were of an
imposing character, solemn mass being Gel
ebratcd by the pastor, Rev. Peter Kroes, as
sisted by the Rev. Messrs. Tissot and Will
liams, as deacon and sub-deacon. A discourse
on the rewards of heaven and the conditions
for obtaining them, was delivered from the
pastor, from St. Matthew, chapter 5, verses l
to r. The "Feast of All Saints" as it is
called, was first instituted by Pope Boniface
the 18th, in COZ, when the Emperor Honorius
having prohibited the worship of idols, and
desiring to preserve the Pantheon, that mag
nifcent temple was dedicated to the worship
of God, "under the invocation of the Bless
ed Virgin Mary and all the saints" This
occurred on the 18th of Map, which day was
annually celebrated until S37, when Pope
Gregory the 4th transferred its observance to
the of November.
To-day solemn services were also hold Sin
com memoration of the faithful departed" in
accordance with the doctrine of the Catholic
church, as set forth in it's Catechism, that
there is middle state of So Is, suffering for
a time on account of their sins, aud that they
are helped by our prayers"
The annual observance was commenced by
obi as an abbot, who died in the year 1O4S,
and was extended to the entire church by
Pope John the 10Th at some time between the
yeas 1924 and 1893, the exact date being
not we'll ascertained. In accordance with the
custom of English Catholics, It's here known
as g All Souls Day" In some Catholic coun-
tries and in Louisiana, it is customary for
surviving relatives end friends to pass the
day oy the graves of the departed in prayer,
decorating the tombs with lights and flowers,
but here the custom does not prevail.
TIE Albany Argus is the keenest criticiser
of G n. Fremont that we read. 1t pungent-
ly says that he is "a general who never won
a battle statesman who never said or did
a wise thing-a guide and explorer who al
ways lost his way-a millionaire without
dime in his pocket-a commissary whose SOL
di rs stirve to death On an average allow
anco of one beef per man per day."
The Richmond Examiner complains of the
gamblers and their 'hells" in Richmond
and urges their suppre, .ion. They are nu-l
and shameless, and the harpies from
them are preying, it is said, upon the young
men of the army, and others fools enough to
rum themselves, and those who have confd-
ed in them.
An advertiser in the New York Tribune
WANTS situationsas son-in-laac in some
family" He adds that he has
no objectioni to goa short distance into any
rural district This "caps the climax"
The pondentsOf the New York Her.
aid says :-"It is evident that all the stories
of restitution or suffering on the part of any
portion of Johnston's army are totally un-
founded in truth. Not only are they album
dainty supplied with arms and munitions of
war-not only have they fortified their whole
line from Leesburg or Goose Creek to Fred
cksburg-but they are well supplied with
provisions and with facilities for cooking
them properly, huts, clothing" &C., &c.
Rev. +. j. Breckenridge, OF Kentucky,
writes that the Confederates committed
mistake in coming into Kentucky at ALL and
predicts that they will be defeated and driven
out. He separates entirely from his nephew,
the late Vice President-one being strong
Union man, the other equally as strong a
secesslonist
A new battery of three rified guns has
been erected about .. mile and half below
tn near Shipping Point. 1t is situated
little below new brick house near the wharf
ut Eyansport, on the Potomac.
The election is to take place 10 Maryland