The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-05-25
LETTER FROM MERIDIAN Mrss.

MERIDIAN, Mics, May 10Th, 1873.
Editor Morning Star:
Last Sunday week, the 18th inst, will long
be remembered by tho Catholics of Meridian.
1t was tho occasion of . visit to us by HE
Lordship, Right Rev. W. II. Elder, to administer
the sacrament Of confirmation, and fos the
parpose Of blessing our new church bell. Largo
crowds always assemble when our Bishop
comes, bot on this occasion, the assemblago
was unusually large. At an hearty hour, to
witness acerenony that many had heard Of bat
few had ever aeen, they came, and our little
church, 81. Patriok's, was soon crowded. Many
were unable TO obtain seats Our beloved
Bishop, in that graphic style peculiarly his
own, in most beautiful ana eloaaont dis.
course, for nearly an hour commanded tho at
tention Of the audience by description of the
esreaaonial for the dedication aud conservation
OF the bell TO the glory and service of 0ed.
His explanation 90 lucid and % beautiful, was
appreciated BY every emo. All things might
be blessed-the food we eat, tho olothss We
wear-and might this bell, though but an In
animate metal, by the grace Of God through
tho blessing to be conferred, never be peryszt-
ed from the use for which it WINS intended, aaa
might its sounds, when reaehing the ears Of
The faithful, enkindle within their hearts re-
nswed fervOr, piety and devotion. The pains
taken by the Bishop this. occasion to en-
tighten us all with regard to this and other
ceremonies of the Church, were certainly graft
flying. We know full well that many MONICA
thoiics, we'll disposed, but ignorant Of the Lam
guage employed, and the objects and intentions
OF our ceremonies, are too prone to regard that
which they cannot understand, as tho result
Gas they call it) of superstition. The Bishop
relieved those thus blinded from this cloud of
prejudice, and left them much for future re-
Election and investigation. Preceding the
blessing Of the bell, we had solemn high
mass. Our worthy and much beloved pastor,
Father Valley, was celebrant, with Father
Viguie of Paulding, and Father Oberfeld Of
Meridian, as deacon and sub-deacon, assisted
by choir, which tried to prove equal to the
occasion.
In the afternoon, the Bishop delivered
most beautiful address on the Blessed Virgin.
This being the month Of May, the statue Of
the Blessed Virgin had b Previously embel-
lished, and ornamented, in manner which re-
fected much credit on the taste and piety of q
few menbeTs of the congregation. To You
who know Bishop Elder, it would be useless to
say anything Of his EVENING" sermon bat a. Q
Catholic, all that can say 10 that am CORY
he was not heard BY every Protestant in Msri-
dian. Confirmation in the Afternoon, was I'D
RtEtatered to eleven grown persona, among
whom were ten converts, and during the Bish-
ops stay with us, three additional converts,
all grown, were received into the Catholic
Church In concluding must say, consider.
ing how few were the Catholics, (Eor Indeed .
few years ago Catholics were hardly known
here,) and seeing new how much tlley have ac-
complished, We can certainly undorstand and
appreciate the force of the old adaae
e that where theCes q will there's q Rny.n
For now there is here beautiful church with
necessary outGt and decoration; aad al this
accomplished by The PiOuS zeal Of few en-
terprie"x Catholics directed by Fathers
Monton a"d VaiIey.
In tn" '"T"r~ of Meridian, that Catholle
PeEsoversnse, pfsty and generosity, may DO
as we'll SxemPliaed as in the past, is all that,
conld be desired. In haste,