The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-05-18
From the brooklyn Catholic Review.i

from tue brooklyn Catholic Review.f
Holy week in England has been celebrat-
ed not merely by Catholics in the usual
manner, but even by non Catholics in
manner closely initiating that of the faith
ful. Such of our readers as are studying
with us the gradual decay of Professionalism
in England, apd.the corresponding increase
of the Catholic flock will find it advanta-
geous to ponder over the following extract
from letter to the Dublin IeleJrdph;
awe have long been aware of the move
ment toward the outward forms and OBJ.
servances now taking place in London, but
waited for the proof, which, given or with
held on Good Friday, would be declared to
be conclusive. And now can we pronounce
the verdict with entire conviction of its
justice-the Church of Eugland has at last
discovered that while the nation has been
progressing in spiritual rednenent and in
appreciation of the beautiful in all things,
n gradual yearning towards the exquisite
pathos and beauty of the ancient form of
worship has drawn aside thousands of peo-
pie to attendance at the churches where
the Divine music, set to the Divine Inspired
words of the Holy Mass, elevates the most
torpid soul to devotion. The fact, which
has become palpable enough, had remained
nevertheless unperceived for some time,
when it was discovered that the greater
portion of the intelligent and cultivated
people who had been attracted by the out
ward form alone to the Catholic Church,
were induced TO examine the doctrines
preached therein, and that, again, large
| majority of these ended by remaining al
together and becoming members of the
faith they had been taught by their own
spiritual pastors and masters to suspect
and decry. The discovery was so painful
that it is supposed that to the shock thus
given to the slumbeIiDg Anglican Church
ffs lft ri fa In a N n
to activity which quito lately has taken
hold of its functlonaries. They have
taken the means for the end and, as the
spirit of the age forbids all opposition in
matters of conscience, they have not dared
to forbid their 1ocks to close their ears and
eyes to the exquisite sights and sounds
which accompany the Catholic worship,
and therefore take the more persuasive
method Of endeavoring to go and do like
wise, thiuking that it is the symbol and
not the reality which is drawing away such
vast numbers Of Protestants from their own
dull and undressing form of worship.
They have resolved upon restoring oil the
artistic glory of the Catholic service. Yes
terday being Good Friday, many people
who are following the movement towards
Catholicism, now becoming visible all over
England, and in London most particularly,
made it matter of conscience to visit
every one of the principal churches, in or
u
matter. A friend ofmy own, who took up
on himself this laborious task, was struck
with the exaggeration fthe imitation enter
ed into by one or two of the most ardent of
the copyists, who evidently initiate the form
without q due comprehension of the mean
ing. What would the Puritan predeces-
sors of the officiating clergy of one or two
of the fashionable churches of London have
said were they to have been told
that before the lapse of half q CEN
fury the bare, whitewashed walls of
their "houses of prayer" would be covered
with flowers and adorned with gilded re-
presentations of the agony of our Blessed
Saviour And yet such was the case in
many churches yesterday and in those
which are acknowledged to take the lead
in the movement, not only were these
tokens visible, but they were accompanied
by the most solemn portions of the Cath
Ollie ritual, such as "The Way of the Cross"
aud the Three Hours Agony" aud the
pauses for meditation which add so greatly
to the strange and deep impression caused
by the soul stirring nature of the service.
At kensington the opening of a new church
dedicated to st. Patrick was the occasion
! of u demonstration of disapprovRl in rival
close by. The Church of England ritual
was observed throughout the morning
but the announcement was made that on
Easter Sunday full choir from the Royal
Academy would be in attendance to sing
mOZarCS MASS IN r win ali tue ceremony
enjoined by tho Church." Father Walker,
of Saint Adams, who has left the conduct
ing of the orchestra, standing in the mid
die of the chancel, r6bed in full canonicals,
to give forth his sermons from the pulpit.
The reverend father clings, however, to the
qualification of his passion for music, and
gives notice that a full band and orchestral
accomplishments will be always adopted at
Saint Patrick's Church The tendency
which has grown of late to dedicate the
new churches to the saints instead of the
apostles, is regarded rs another proof of
the rapid growth of chat leaning towards
Catholicism" 80 highly condemned from the
pulpit Of the rival Church close to Saint
Patrick's. And then, the cORfessiopals
which were open to repentant sinners in
the other church, az Kensington, once the
headquarters of Protestant RefOrmi What
will the drOning followers of Praise God
BarebOnes say TO their adoption thus pub
liclY. and without disguise, and TO the NO.