The New York herald., 1873-12-28

common acceptation OF the term; besides Protes-
tantlsm is a negative term, and Protestant or
negative church is no church at all.
SO, also. the phrase Episcopal Church is tauto-
logical You might as wen say WOODEN tree or
liquid water, or silk, satin or black coal All are
Pathological, and therefore, incorrect phrases.
When we say Episcopal Church 1T is concession
that there Is u Church which Is not episcopal,
which Catholic cannot say or believe The
Church Is episcopal, OF course; no one ever says
Episcopal Catholic Church. Every Catholic Is
episcopal, because he is member OF the Catholic
church. Episcopal is q derivation OF the Greek
word epfscopaS, and this last word means a
bishop and as there can be no church without a
In fact, the single word church has, IN itself all
that can possibly be meant by both words Protes-
tant Episcopal; for, the Church Catholic is the
meaning and use OF that word.
But IL may be said that the words protestant
Episcopal' are in the title page OF the Prayer Book
Granted; but Catholics don't believe in a titlepage
II Is not Il creed. For aught | know, only some
prnterput 1t there. never heard that the Church
creed Is the Apostles Creed, in which he is taught
TO say. Il believe IN the holy Catholic Church. tne
communion of saints;n and also the s0-called
Nlcene creed in which he is taught to say, Il be-
lieve in one Catholic and Apostolic church,
Again, 1t may be said that the words protestant
Episcopal occur twice in the oath the Bishop takes
NJ his conservation. Granted; nevertheless 1t 1t
bad grammar, to say the least and let the bishops
settle that matter as best they 1t Is devoutly
hoped 10y all true Catholics that these faulted
words may soon be simply dropped out OF the
Prayer Book and out OF common speech. We can
however put up with the bad grammar OF the
prayer BOOK better than We can afford 10 be put
and Kept IN a false position. We nave, thank Cod
the grand old creeds lett to ns. These are lntelllg
bic and Catholic II we used the words 1.-THE holy
Catholic Church, or only the words 'Catholic
church." which are ours by inheritance and in
fact, we should be better understood.
CHRISTMAS EVE, 1878. CATHOLIC PRIEST.
Interesting Christmas Ceremonies at st.
Agnes Convent and u Sad Sequel.
Christmas was celebrated at st. Agnes Academy
in East Eghty-frst street with becoming religious
and musical ceremonies Besides solemn high
mass in the little chapel OF the Sisters of Mercy,
which was brilliantly illuminated ana decorated
with Christmas gariands ana appropriate lnscrip.
tions, enhanced interest was lent to the occasion
by the fact that nine of the young pupils made
their first communion. Their names were Sophie
Waldon, Lizzie Waldon. Josie Keen, Henrietta
Geraty, Jennie Delaney. Mary Brophy, Madeline
Reed and Fanny Lawrence. These beautiful young
children were robed In pure white and wore long
white lace wells fastened TO their hands by noral
wreaths. Just before the mass commenced the
organ struck up solemn religious aria, and pro-
cesslon OF nuns and children marched into the
chapel, and. taking positions AT each side OF the
central AISLE knelt III an attitude Of prayer. The
nine selected for first communion then followed
with stopped heads and bearing lighted tn.
pers, and knclt on the front row OF pews
on the right side OF the chapel AT the appropriate
part OF the mass Rev. Mr.. Mcdonnell delivered
the holy eucharist to the trembling nine, separate
from the rest. ana the great event OF the day was
over In the evening solemn bene diction was cele-
brated and the nine children were invested with
the sc3pular.
Among the young ladies present on this occasion
and who partook OF the holy communion was hiss
Theresa kieen, beautiful girl OF IS, who
expired the next morning OF heart disease. The
circumstances IS somewhat noteworthy from the
TACT that sister OF this same girl died five wears
before oil the same disease and on the same day.
Tne sad coincidence has caused a profound sensa.
ton IN the little community OF the convent.