The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-06-09

sanctuary amid tue joyous chants of the
| semiharians and choir. Upon the Arch
bshop's brow rested q ewelled mitre, and
floWins loosely from his shoulders was a
ricnly-enlbroldered cope, which almost con.
cealed the other splendid yestments of bis
office. In his left hand he carried the golden
crozier, the same which his predecessor, DR..
carroll, used when laying the cornerstone
OF the church fifteen years previous. The
dedicatory services occupied nearly one hour
III duration. and were Of the usual impress
siye character. Upon their conclusion pom.
tlhcal high.maSs was sung by the Arch
| bishop, and the dedication sermon was de-
iireted by Rev. Roger Baxter, 5. j., an elo-
qlient priest from Georgetown College. The
exercises were continued III the afternoon,
ana since then mass and the regular offices
nt The Catholic religion have been uniEter-
rupiediy celebrated. The church was soon
cnrlchcd with valuable engravnas, all oil
Whlch are vet in wonderful state of preSer-
'auon. The two large oilpaintings on
ehnef she OF the main entrance were pre-
| sented to DIR. MarechaI from France. The
sranu high altar was likewise gift to him,
as Will appear by examining the inscription
| upon it.
Shortly after the dedication the Archbishop
caused the remains of his predecessor to be
! removed from their temparary- -sepuh. .hfe In
ST. aiary $ semiIgy to the catAedrai. where
the body Was inferred in the crypt beneath
| the sanctuary. The occasion was deeply
| interesting and impressive one.
| The administration Of DR.. Marechal COM
prlSeu about eleven years, and during this
time he lahored with extraordinary zeal for
The welfare OF his flock. AS Baltimore grew
| larger in size and population the number Of
Catholics was al>o increased, the Arch.
bishops talents and energy contributing not
little to this result. Alter brief illness he
expired on the 10Th OF January, 1925. ieav-
ING behind hinia spotleSs reputation. On
February I'd the 0bscquies were held in the
cathedral, and although the day proved ey-
| ceedingly unpr0piti,us, thousands. viewed
the farewell rites with deep emotion. Fol-
lowing the ,requiem-mass by Rev. james
Whitfield, d. d., an oration was delivered
ny Rev. Father Wheeler, which drew tears
| from all eyes. The body was finally con-
veyed to the cryp', and deposited beside that
OF his prcderessor.
ARCHBISHOP wHlrF4Lp. l
For over three months the cathedral
mourned the loss of its CHIEF pastor. Tn the
early part OF May this grief was dispelIed
| by the announcement THAT a preiate had been
preconized at Rome for the vacant diocese,
| The choice 0t-the Pope hat, fallen on the
| Rev. James Whitfield. D. D., u warm friend of
| the te archbishop, and priest in every way
| qualified for the ardlIolls duties Of the tpis-
capate. Bornin England. he left his native
| land to labor here, and his earnest efforts
were rewarded with signal success. He was
stationed with DIR. Marechel ut The cathedral.
and his merits were So highly appreciated
that it was the archbishop himself who So
licied the appointment. Most Rev. DR..
| Whitfield became the fourth incumbent on
Pentecost-Sunday, May %, 1928, the impos-
ing ceremonies being held in the cathedral.
Right Rev. Benedict j. Faeet, D. D., the
venerable bishop OF Bardstown. ky., Off
ciated, and Rev. Samuel EccleSton, ID. D.,
president of st. blary'S College, preached an
admirable discourse.
DR.. Whitfield occupied the archiepisco-
pal throne for only six years. and yet i'll this
comparatively short period he achieved in
caculable good. The principal event of his
administration was the convocation Of the
first council Of bishops in the United States.
This council comprised all the prelates of
North America except two, who were I'M.
avoidably detained, and these sent procura-
tors. On Sunday. October /, 1922 it was
formally iuaugtissted, the Most Reverend
Archbishop officiating ut the mass, and
Bishop England, of Charleston. delivering
the sermon. Four years later the second
council of Baltimore was held in the cathe-
dral under the presidency OF Dr.. Whitfield.
Ii commenced on Sunday, October 90, 1898,
and like the former one continued seven
DAYS. During the six years of his reign the
Cltho!ic faith in America grew annually
in imp pDrtance. The churches in Mary
lanl were multiplied, and the Arch
bishop, ont Of bis own private means.
caused the erection of another new
church in Baltimore OH the southeast cor
ncr of Eager and Aisquilh streets, which he
dedicated 10 God under the patronage of St.
James. This structure was demolished Il
few years since, and the present beautiful
| temple was built on its site. The Cathe-
dral congregation likewise experienced his
lbealily. He superintended the compile.
| ton of the towers, and it was through his
agency that the bell was placed in its present
| position in the southern Steeple, facing Null
berry street. The bell is one OF the largest
and best in this country, and is of European
| death of this venerable prclate memorable
ceremony was witnessed in the Cathedral.
knowing that his earthly pilgrimage was
nearly accomplished, and not wishing to
| leave the diocese even in temporary widow
| hood, he had obtained the consent OF Pope
Gregory XVI. TO cOnsecrate the Rev. Samuel
EcclestOn, d. d., president offs hlary's Col
legr, Baltimore, rs his coadlutor cum J"re
succeSSi0nis. This ceremony was the most
noted of its kind beheld in Maryland. Arch
bishop Whitfield, on the brink of the grave,
was seen TO enter the sanctuary, vest himself
in full pontifas, and place the mitre on the
brow, the ring on the finger, and the crozIeI
in the hand of a youthful priest who had
been chosen as his successor. He was Oh
served TO lead the ne Hly-cousecI1ted prclate
to the archiepiScopal throne, and after placing
him in full pO; session Of it, to publicly re-
sign the care OF the diocese into his hands
The solemn spectacle was viewed by an I'M
menSc congregation, and the sermon de
livered by Rev. Father Mulledy, S. j., o.
Georgetown College Archbishop Eccestol
was consecraled on September IA, 1884. Or
the 10Th OF October, just one month and five
| days afielward, his predecessor calmly eX
pired. His funeral obsequies were conducted
! by DR.. Eccleston, and the body was buriet
directly beneath the high altar, in close proX
unity to the ashes Of Marechal
| ARCHBISHOP ECCLEsTON,
the fifth Archbishop. commenced his admin
istration under fattering circumstances. 4
native of Maryland, and devoted friend o
the late incumbent, he well knew how t
successfully govern diocese of such exten
| siye proportions rs Baltimore. He was ;
convert to tue Catholic religion, having beer
y Methodist prior to his conversion. At thu
early age of tbirty-three years he was thu:
suddenly elevated to the most responsible,
nosiiiou in the American Church, a dignity
, [ .l.;al, all liz nrndacessnrs Assumed at