Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-08-03

CONSIDERATION OF THE CATHOLIC
CHURCH AT PoULTNEY. Editor RNtlan3
Herald Ri. Rev. Louis De GOesbriand,
Of Burlington, Bishop of Vermont, as
sisted by the Rev. Thomas Lynch Of
West Rutland, cOnsecrated the new
Catholic Church of St. Gabriel at Poult-
ney on Sunday last. A very large col
lection of people were present to wit
ness the ceremonies. An extra train ar
rived from Rutland at 10 o'clock a. M,
bringing nearly 400 people, which, to-
gether with those coming from the vi
cinity in private conVeyances, made an
assemblage Of over 1000
The site of the church is pleasant
upon a hill overlooking the surrounding
country. 1t is a plain, neat editice,
built Of brick, and well suited for the
purposes and convenience of the con-
gregation that is to worship there. 1t
has been constructed under the superin-
tendence of Rev. Father Lynch.
The services were commenced by the
formation of procession, consisting of
the bishop and officiating priest and
their attendants, accompanied by 8
choir of singers, which passed around
the entire church, the bishop sprinkling
the walls with holy water. On entering
the church the bishop pronounced the
apostolic blessing, several prayers were
offered and chants and responses sung
by the choir; after which the bishop de-
ivered an address full of earnestness
and feeling, simple in its style, yet indi-
eating much thought and research. He
commenced by congratulating the Cath
Ole population upon their energy and
contributions in building a church for
their especial ,-alluding in an inter
esting manner to his presence at the
laying of the corner stone q few months
since. He proceeded to give the views
as held by the Catholic Church in refer
ence to Mass, explaining the placing of
! the Cross at the altar. Mass was the
| great sacrament of the church, because
it was glorious to God and profitable to
man, leading to piety, giving thanks for
! blessings and making acknowledgment
for sin. Atonement was law of God,
and is written upon the hearts of men.
Under the old dispensation it was made
by the blood of victims, the victims be-
Ing furnished by the express command
OF God. A history Of the sacrifices Of
feTed under the old dispensation was
given, prefguring the sacrificing of the
holy victim Jesus Christ upon the Cross.
Then a human victim was sacrificed on
the Cross to GOd-the whole man, as a
propiation for sin, and the sacrifice
Of the Mass was the same as that of
the Cross. Christ was to ascend and
become the visible church, leaving be-
hind Hin the apostles and their success
sors to be the priests of the people. By
the power of Christ, the clemens of the
holy communion were changed into His
body, and We're given to the people as a
sacrifice and contained his presence, and
this was victim under the new dis
pensation, and those who followed after
Him in the order of the priesthood were
to do for Him the Offering of the sacri-
flee. God is pleased when He casts His
eye upon the altar-not on account of
the Offering, but because the name of
God is great and is recognized by the al
tar. 1t was matter of great rejoicing
that here was built an altar and God
was to be glorifed. Where shall we
find a victim? He comes down from on
high for me sinner, and is the victim,
by the power and majesty of God; and