National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-01-05
THE CHURCHES YESTERDAY
CoSGEyIzL BLENDING OFWEATHER
AND SERVICES.


FATHER HOBBIE.
Yesterday. as our District readers all know
was one of those bright, beautiful, and spring
like DAVIS which make tho climate of Washing
ton, even in the wintry season, remarkably d.
ljehtful and charming. Indeed, if Q stranger
wholly unfamiliar with our city and its latitude
had suddenly dropped into 1t yesterday, he nigh
easily have imagined, but fer the leafiess tree
and withered grass plats, that he was in tn
region of the tropics. As consequence Of the swee
sunshine and the genial atmosphere, everybod
seemed to be out in holiday attire The church
goers, many Of them arrayed in the very lates
styles of fashions, turned out in full force, ant
the various places Of worship were attended b.
unusually large assemblages.
The beautiful church OF st. Aloysus, so nota
BILE for its grand ceremonies and fine music, wa
particularly attractive yesterday by reason Of tn
opening Of
THE FORTY HOURS DEVOTION.
The exercises of this popular devotion are 8
arranged in the various churches OF the Arch
diocese Of Baltimore that there is aperpctual ex
position and alteration Of the Blessed Sacrament
Tor the very moment the devotion terminates fl
one church 1t begins in another.
The services yesterday began with Grand Higl
Mass, the celebrant being Rev. Father Wiget
formerly pastor OF st. Joseph's church in thi
city, assisted by deacon and sub-deacou.
THE MAIN ALTAR
WAS magnifcently decorated. In front Of tn
tabernacle was gorgeous representation Of thu
sun, on the inner circle of whose golden beam,
formed Of gas jets, brightly twinkied, while
angelic faces beamed around the edges Of thu
cerulean coloring. Flower stands, 50 constructed
rs TO form stairway on either side Of the altar,
were deliberately decorated with richest and
rarest exotics, the delicious fragrance Of which
the Of the A aqp
THAN columns that adorn the rear wall OF the
sanctuary, and cleaning in letters OF gold above
the altar, were the heayen-inspired ~orus'
"GLoRIA IN ExcELsIs DEo."
while in and around the sacred precincts were
crosses anchors, wreaths, and stars Of evergreen,
with symmetrical cedars pointing heayenward.
The beautiful banners Of the societies Of the Sa-
cred Heart and Sodality Of the Il. v. NJ. were
placed on either side Of the sanctuary. and the
crosses surmounting the handsome side affairs
and beautiful as the sanctuary Of St Aioysius has
appeared on many former festivals it never looked
more charming than in its brilliant adornments of
yesterday, which reflected great credit on the
the second chapter Of St. Matthew, verses one to
mon. rcmarking that the Church Of God still lin
Kered at the crib Of Bethlehem; for on Tuesday
next she would celebrate the festival Of the Eph-
any-that is, the manifestation of Jesus Christ to
ing, the Christian 5 Christmas. The angels, when
they announced the glad tidings Of the birth of
the Saviour, told only the Jewishpcople. But
CHRIST CANE DOWN FOR ALL MEN,
and there were to be no privileged people. He
came to save all, and If VIC were not saved it
would be our own fault. He died for all, and the
save ten thousand worlds While. therefore, the
angels announced the birth Of the Saviour to the
Jews, God sent q bright messenger
THE STAR IN THE HEAVENS
to indicate his birthplace in order that he might
be made manifest to the world. When the people
natural many regarded 1t phenomenon. but
others believed i to be manifestation. The
fathers Of the Church taught that the star ap-
hundred years before. Butwhether tho prophecy
was based upon scientific knowledge or upcn the
secret inspiration Of Gods grace it Is fact that
wise kings abandoned their far-distapt homes and
followed its light until 1t shone over the crib Of
Bethlehem, when they fell down and adored the
new born Saviour. These Wise Men of the East
we're our
PRoGENIToRs IN THE PATH.
and the Church perpetuated the festival Of the
Epiphany to commemorate the manifestations Of
the newborn king Of heaven and earth to ell
men.
But the congregation of St. Aloysus had an
other Joy to-day. Their affairs presented an un-
usual spectacle of beauty and splendor, and the
Reverend Father wanted them to recognize the
intrinsic relationship between the birth OF Christ
and the forty hours devotion. They had here the
and myrrf but God does not want this cOngre-
cations gold-he only asked for the gold Of their
a gift which the poorest could afford and which
the rich should not deny.
The Epiphany had another significance. It was
peculiarly
DEAR TO CONVERTS,
many Of whom were now present. They have
not always been blessed by the faith, but had
been led from darkness to light, as the Wise Men
Of the East, who were the first converts, men
Peared to all, there we're only three who followed
It. Thus Christ breaches the Same doctrines to
day that he preached eighteen hundred years
engrossed with the things of the world; they had
only three who were found generous enough to
follow him and make the sacrifice. They came
from far-dietsnt country. and an effort was made
to dissuade them from undertaking q journey so
a1a
people not to follow the '.superstitions'' Of the
Church. But the wise men turned deaf ear to
their silly advisers and heroieally went on. 1t
was the call OF God to them 10 worship
THE NEWBORN SAVIOUR,
and they followed the mysterious star day after
day, until they reached Jerusalem. There, 1t
might have been supposed, there would be some
e1eitemen. in view Of the birth Of the Saviour;
but there was none; they cared nothing about 1t
they were too much immersed in business.
The Reverend Father here related the Incidents
of the visit of the wise men to Herod, the king,
whose cunning and wickedness were so miracI-
lousy circumvented by Divine interposition. 1t
would be observed that Herod inquired of the
him according to the ancient prophecy. They
were the custodians of the Divine Word. 1t was
precisely the same history to-day. The Catholic
priesthood had guarded the treasure Of faith;
THEY HAD SAVED THE BIELE
from corruption and would teach all truth to the
The wise linen left Jerusalem, they. did not
remain to enjoy the Inequalities Of tie great
city they journeyed onward, and the star. which
had ieft them there, again came out brighter and
more beautiful than ever. and finally, seeming to
come down from heaven, rested over the misera-
they that the Saviour of the world, tine mighty
ruler of heaven and earth, was to be born in q
stable! But
Their PATH TRIUMPHED,
and entering in they fell down and adored him,
pouring forth their precious gifts They gave
him gold, in accordance with the custom OF East
ern nations IN making offerings Of friendship
they gave him frankincense, the symbol Of
;Ss S9a they a
day suggested other practical reflection. The
wise men were converts, and therefore the hrst
sss and fortaas TSs1s we're thousands To-Day
WHO SAW THE TRUTH,
who believed in the truths of the Catholic Church
but had mot the courage to embrace tha9. The
star appeared to them, but they would b6t follow
fOllies Of life. The wise men went on, Drawing
age. They would not be dissuadcd from following
sacrifce ali. This was the courage that was
wanted in our day. We were too busy with the
transitory things Of life. We should initiate the
Wise men, and be guided by the Divine light
shining from the affairs of the church.
The Gospel just read taught another lesson-so
have
A STRONG AID ABIDING TAITE.
What was faith! It was the evidence Of things
taught fourteen hundred years ago that faith was
. belief In things unseen. But many people Of
the present day would not believe what they could
not see they believed only in the narrow realm Of
the senses and affections. TIE wsemen, although
admonished Of dangers, Jsn perfectly secure whils
THE LIGHT was eHIHIHe.
Whist many Of our people wanted was the grace
Of God which would give them courage to en-
brace the truth. If they asked for It, they would
receive it. Tho wise men had # God touched
their hearts. They had imagined that when they
reached Jerusalem the king and people would give
q grand feast; that there would be . magnificent
display to celebrate the birth Of the Saviour, and
that all the kings Of the earth would be paying
court to him. But what change came over them!
1nstead Of these prircely demonstrations, they
straw, and the animals Of the field around them.
But still their faith never wavered for under the
appearance Of cloud was the great God Of
heaven and earth, who came down to teach MS
from the cradle the nothingness of earthly things
and the wise men laid down their crowns at his
feet as their
SAVIOUR, GOD AND KING.
During the forty hours, which commenced to-
day, we would witness the same devotion. He
was here in the sacrament of the altar, and We
would bend down and adore him first, as the wise