The New York herald., 1869-05-24
RELIGIOUS SERVICES In BROONLyN.
DEDICATION.
Dedication of a Roman Catholic Church
Interesting CeremOnies-SermOn by Bishop

The new and handsomely designed Church Of st.
Charles Borromeo, Sidney place, Brooklyn, was yes
terday dedicated to the service OF God in presence
OF large and devout assemblage. 1t will be remem-
bered that in the month Of March last year the
edince bearing the name Of the distinguished saint
was totally destroyed by fire. the loss sustained
beng estimated at $42,4Oo. Sometime after mid
night passer-by observed flames issuing from
the building and the alarm was quickly given. The
Rev. Mr.. Friel, the pastor, who was quickly on the
ground, rushed up the aisle Of the church and
succeeded in removing the holy sacrament, and
although respiration was somewhat difficult, owing
to the density Of the smoke, his efforts were also eec
tua In removing the gold and silver vessels together
with some costly vestments. Several valuable paint
ings were destroyed, among them being 1.-THE Cru
cihxion," which for over seventeen years had hung
the patron saint, together with other splendid reli
gious works by celebrated artists. The nre origi-
mated from the heater and smouldering ruins were
oil that remained OF the once beautiful and richly
adorned building, and which not long prior to the
event had for It's pastor the able and much n
the congregation were not confined to sym
pathy or regret. With marvellous rapidity
o new temple was reared near the scene OF the con
fagration and now stands as q monument to their
devotion and lberality. Though unfinished 30 far as
0rnamentaton IL concerned, the Church OF st:
Charles Borromeo is much superior In architectural
beauty to the one DESTROYED by fre, and when the
contemplated designs shall have been completed the
pearance certainly not less beautiful than that Of
any church In the "City OF Churches.n The dedica-
ton OF the edince yesterday, which was character
tied by great soemnity and impresslveness, was
witnessed by very numerous congregation, who en-
tered fully into the spirit Of the holy proceedings
menced with a grand procession, consisting OF
the Right Rev. DR.. LoughlIn, several clergymen,
pealed forth its solemn strains as the procession
moved down the centre AISLE thence around the out
sshop ss the meanme sprnSng the walls with
holy water and offering the necessary prayers The
procession then returned to the altar, where the
litany was said, and the other customary rites
having been performed, the ceremony Of dedi-
cation was brought to close. High mass was
then M tne esx Kew mr. heesan %clS,
the Rev. Mr.. Mcdonnell as subdeacon and the Rev.
DIR. Gardiner as master OF ceremonies. There were
also present near the altar the Right Rev. DIR.
Loughin, Rev. DR.. Freil, Rev. Mr.. Hudson, s. j.;
Rev. MIR. Muane, Rev. Mr.. Smith and other clergy
men, together with large number Der OF ~ assistants @ who
church presented very imposing appearance, the
altar itself being brilliantly lighted with candles and
adorned with the choicest flowers while the rays OF
genial sun shone picturesquely through the varie-
gated windows Of the building, shedding iustre on
the compact assembage now knelt in prayer. The
proceedings were much enhanced by the
inspiring and well-rendered selections per-
formed by the choir. which was augmented
OF Mr.. Berge's Choral Union, and made unusually
effective by Mr.. Theodore Thomas orchestra. The
music performed included Meyerbeers "Marche du
Sacren and Lachner's. Rossni's FIRST grand mass,
arranged by CASTLE de Blaze, was given with fine
effect throughout. Prior to the sermon the Ven{
Sdate SpirItts was sung with much sweetness and
sympathy. Meyerbeer's priest chorus, 'sru che la
terra adora,n was also produced In unison, with
very pleasing result. At the offertory Madame
Bougny, the soprano, sang the "Quam dllecta
tabernacula,u by Mercadante, with considerable
preston, displaying voice OF much richness and
% were Miss PetSicS contralto; Mr. BUST tenor. i Mr.
Beekman, baritone ana Mr.. Fleming, basso, Of the
Rev. ID. Storrs' choir. Mr.. Cresser presided at the
organ and In conjunction with the orchestra played
the overture "POet and Peasant at the termina
tion OF the mass.
the Right Rev DR.. Loughlin at the conclusion OF
the first gospel, preached sermon, taking for his
text the words go forth and teach all nations, for
am with you even to the consummaton ol the
w0rldn He referred at some length to- the
manner in which Christ at various times ON earth
proved his divinity. lie restored sight TO the blind
made the deaf to hear and raised the dead 70 liie
saying TO those before whom he made those mani
festations OF his power, 'If you believe not me, be-
lieve my works" IL was after he had demonstrated
that he was divine that he said TO his apostles "Go
forth and teach all natons- BY thus addressing
himself TO his apostles he authorized man TO speak
In the name OF God. But that authority was not
bestowed unfortunately. IL was given only
TO those whom he mad chosen. He gave forth
commission which, In order that IL might
be fulfilled Christ told his apostles that ne was with
them even 20 the contamination OF the world The
saviour came to earth not only to atone for the sins
OF men, but TO teach them how TO be saved. And
that they might partake In the suferings or Calvary
he established ministry In order TO carry out his
instructions. lie then alluded 10 the foundation OF
the Church OF Christ. who was the head. union
was formed between the head aud the body, and In
order that 1t might be strengthened and perpetuated
he promised 70 be with 1t 10 the end OF time. IL
argued by some that the Catholic church was idoa-
trous; 1t was misrepresented and illuminated Some
men pretended 10 prove tnat dissolution had taken
place In the Church, yet such arguments were
ever futile, for Christ himself had promised to be
with II 10 the end OF the world. Advertlng TO the
apostolical succession he observed that Christ did
not intend to con1ne His authority 10 His disciples
alone. He arranged that the apostleship should be
perpetuated. This was done that man might not be
IN danger and that he might be saved. Grace was
TO be commun Gated to man. lie needed union with
Christ by his address to Him. How was that grace
10 be obtainedi BY that same active ministry
organized for the sanctncation OF mankind. lie told
HIS apostles to baptize In the name uf the Father
and OF the son and OF the Holy Ghost and by
that means grace was communicated to the soul
There were other means, for Christ said
unless you eat the flesh OF the Son OF Man and
drink his blood you shall not have life In you.r lie
established the holy Eucharist as q means OF grace
and thereby gave evidence Of HIS divine love. After
an eloquent discourse, In which he adverted TO the
power Of God and the foundation OF the Catholic
Church, Bishop 0'Loughlen concluded by asking the
congregation TO reflect seriously upon the great
goodness OF the Almighty.
The Rev. DIR. Friei subsequently addressed the
congregation, briefly referring to the churcn and
turning thanks for the earnestness and libernlity
which had been exhibited during Its erection.
The proceedings then terminated.