The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-02
e z L T q I o u 8
DEDICATION OF A cguaca At WHITE PLAINS.

sence OF a large and earnest Congregation. Despite
the counteracting influences OF the weather every
available spot in the new binding was occupied long
even before the hour announced for the commence.
ment OF the sacred rites. The continuous torrents
which unrelentingy poured down the entire morning
NO doubt deferred many visitors from New York and
She surrounding district being present; but
che church was nevertheless crowded to
its utmost limits and the evident attention and de-
votedness OF the vast assemblage spoke volumes
the deep interest they took In the proceedings.
1t was clear that sincere and heartfelt desire was
ct length gratifed, that large and spacious temple
had been substituted for the hitherto limited accom-
cations OF q confined and less suitable building.
The new church, dedicated to ST. John, Is built OF
wood, and though simple in architectural design is
yet elegant, commodous airy and finished in appear
ance. Its erection was first commenced by the Rev.
Mr.. Bowling some four months since, and under the
subsequent supervision OF the Rev. John McEvoy,
the present esteemed and energetic pastor 1t pre-
crossed rapidly towards completion and now stands
emonument TO his earnestness zeal and activity. The
church is $50 feet In length and forty five In width and
affords ample room for congregation OF about GOO
persons Its appearance yesterday morning was
PLAIN In the extreme, and most OF the interior ar.
Engagements were only Of an eXteinporaneous char
ecer. The altar was temporary, and while the
entire building was very neat and comfort
able, It was dlyestei OF any ornamentation
or luXuriousness 1t Is the intention OF the
TO render the edace in every respect worthy ofth
parishoners, who so far have exerted themselves in
. commendabe manner New affairs are TO be
erected, the walls are 10 be frescoed and decorated
with numerous religious works Of art The neigh
borho0d OF White Plains does not demand grand
edifce and the judicious structure just dedicated
has apparently met with the approval OF the entire
congregation The cost has up to the present exceed
ed ,0o0 OF which II appears portion remains
PAID so that the mdelatigabe pastor wills0c obliged
to bring his zeal into further rsqnlssion ere this
factoily completed. presumed however that the
interior decorations and appnrtenances VIII be quick
ly furnished and that the church Will be In perfect
order before the winter sets in. AZ already stated,
the inauspicious state OF the weather debarred
many from being present Shortly before eleven
O'Clock the ceremonies were begun, amid the pro-
found attention OF the congregation. As the pro-
cession moved from the vestry room the sweet strains
rose alOt and added TO the solemntty OF the occa-
sion. Tie procession was composed OF number Of
acolytes bearing lighted candles, several ciergymen
with the Mos. Reverend Archbishop The rear. Pro.
ceedng the right aisle ofthe church the Riseere
was sung, and having reached the east corner the
usual PRAYERS were said after which the procession
men meanwhile chanting the litany OF the Saints.
During the procession the Archbishop sprinked
holy water through the building and three or four
psalms having been sung the ceremony OF dedicl-
sion was brought to a Close AT its conclusion high
mass was immediately commenced, the Rev. Francis
McNeirney officiating as celebrant: Rev. Mr. Power,
OF Halifax, sub-deacon; the Rev. DR.. insolvency,
Of St. stephens, New York, subdcacon, and
Barclay street. New YORK master Of the e. cere
monies. rhe Archbishop was present during
II. AlD.uy.
and Rev. William Clowry, Of st. Gabries New York,
performed the offices OF assistant priests. The
solemn high mass was performed as usual. The
choir, with some exceptions was admirable Peters
simple though beautiful mass In was performed
The Klqse was well rendered, as was also the Gloria
aghtfu solo, oy Miilard, was sung with consderabie
power and sweetness by Nine. DE LuSsan during the
ofertory. "The Broken Promise" a most impressive
piece, by Loretz, was given by Sig. Coett with all
the grand Volume, pathos and expression which he
can command: Altogether the musical arrange
ments were satisfactorily carried Iut. AT the terIu
nation Of the 1rst Gospel,
The Arcnblshop assembled the altar aud delivered
an eloquent ana highly argumentetive discourse He
chose his text from the sixth chapter or EZurcs
fourteenth and fifteenth verses, "And they kept the
dedication or the house OF God with joy.n These
were the simple yet expressive words with which the
inspired historian described the holy gladness OF the
Hebrew people when celebrating the dedication OF
their newly erected temple in the city OF Jerusalem.
Just returned from long and aud and weary cap
uvity, the ilrst they made OF their freshly ac
qulrcd freedom and the first act OF their thanksgiy
ing to Almighty God was To rebuild the temple which
and to restore and beauty once more the
been made desoate, ana all united in the
grand work. for 1t was to them not work OF laoor
They raised up temple to grand and sDacous pro-
portions. Tie rich and the poor, the high and tho
their gold and silver some bringing their precious
stones, and others contributed the toll and sweat of
ther brows From day to day 1t grew up before
them, until the happy moment had arrived when
their temple was finished, the day OF Its dedication
was at hand, and the news weE. forth FAR and near
and the people gathered from al parts the priests,
the Leyites and the elders of the people coming into
the temple commenced The work " dedication. They
went around 1t In solemn procession, chanting their
and the portals were thrown open, and having en-
tered Its precincts the priests anl elders OF the PEG.
pie sang the cantices or gadness and praise. The
hour OF sacrifice had at length arrived, and the King
OF Heaven came down in a cloud Of majesty TO take
M el S he nene q "a Win mi' Sro
trated themselves IN thanksgiving and gave praise
to the Lord for His goodness ard mercy. And was
not all this In some sense n faithful picture OF what
the cong e,Gtion had just Witnessed. OF what they
had taken part In, OF what they experienced within
their breasIss The privilege had been granted TO
them of building up q more suitable house and a
more spacious temple than the one ia which they
had hitherto worshipped. He was permitted to con.
Cratulate them upon The happy Accomplishment OF
their work and to bear testimony to the earnestness
OF the pastor who had laborod for the erection OF
their beautiful temple, assisted by their generosity
and lberaiity, ana TO express q nope or rather 70
EXPRESS the absence OF every doubt that they would
continue 70 Cooperate, WITH tho pastor now over
much as In their power lay, and their good works In
tnat respect would always prove source OF pride,
source or Joy and forever source OF the greatest
blessing The Catho ic Church had one grand uni
versal essential and inseparable characteristic OF
unity Its teachings were all one. Founded by Jesus
Christ il was never intended 70 be Composed OF two
separate branches. ST. Paul had already clearly set
forth his views upon the question OF unity, so thar
there was but one true Catholic Church. structures
BY the hands OF man would in time mOulder and de-
cay, but there was another Church which would not
Wltner. Jesus OnrlSJ was inc corner sbOnC OF inc
universal, Ieverlasting Church. and it was 10 that
Church that their hearts were TO he drawn. II was
not material temple; nor yet was 1t hidden, for
Il stood high on the mountain top thai all the
world might see It, and that 1t might be
the grand centre OF religion. it was built
BY God himself. The mighty truth Of which that
Church was tie grand depository was that II stood
united Church. II bore the one great character
fstc stamp OF unity, and In thai unity was ifs
strength, its mperishable foundation aud is divine
origin. Need he repeat that Its teachings throughout
al ages were the sameS Surely 81. Peter never ad
vocated q different doctrine from Sc. Pau. They
taught the same truths and believed in the same
and with all the apostles and their successors no
matter In what portion OF the Rlobo they were sit-
ated. There could not be two Chrstianitles. There
must be but one Christianity, one God, one Christ
and one church. Tho Catholic Church possessed the
essential attribute stamped upon n. Christ declared
tlst HIS church should be one and should live for
ever. True people, nations perhaps, might separate
FROM II, but they could not carry away from IL any Of
its divine gifts, any OF ts divine promises, any Of
Its divine grace that abi1ed and dvct within II for
ever. Branches might fall OF uoe, but that tree
remained aud by reason OF this less budded forth
with increased vigor and freshness and sprung for