National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-06-15

st. Augustine, passing through the lines, and
taxing advanced positions on the temporary floor
ing which had been substantially prepared in the
main body Of the church. This graceful act Of
courtesy on the part OF the white societies wa;
the subject Of general commendstory remark by
all who witnessed it. As the societies marcheo
In their contributions to the new church were de.
posted on the cornerstone, which, tastefuuy
adorned with flowers was placed IN an eieyateo
On the west side, and near the front, o temporary
stand, handsomely festooned with flags, flowers
and eyergreens had been erected tSr the acS9m
clergy. The immense crowds gathered In front
of and around the church, estimated at seven OF
@snT sss@pts wsre made e scale them IN ordsI
to attain eligible positions for seeing and hearing
but the members Of the Young Catholics Friend
all efforts at intrusion upon the space reserved fol
the societies and invited guests All rebufis oil
this kind were, however, taken good-humoredly
| on the platform were Admiral Sands General
Charles Thomas, Hon. r. T. Merrick, Hon VIM
J. Hynes, VIM. Forsyth, ESQ.,, and many other
prominent citizens.
THE RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES.
| When the societies had been properly arranged
within the unfinished walls of the building the
clerical procession moved from the parochiaI resi-
denee adjoining; The prominent figure was Of
course the Most Reverend Archbishop who was
robed in full canonicals, and was preceded by q
cross bearer, carrying large silver cross, with
sixteen acolytes, and accompanied by the follow
plices: Reverend Father walter, master Of cere-
monies; Fathers Boyle, Reane, Mccarthy, Alig,
Bokel, Barotti, San MARITIME, Power, Haley, Sum
ner, KRnsleiter, Roccofort, Starkey, Young, Rsb-
bia, Lynch, Maekin, Of Rockville, and Guistinians
and Noonan, Of Baltimore.
The archbishop and attending clergy first pro
ceeded 10 the north end of the church edihce,
where, in accordance with the forms prescribed
in the ritual, plain wooden cross raised above
the spot where the altar is to be erected, was
AOlNmnlV bl0Raad nr0raasiOn
the southeast corner, where the cornerstone was
blessed by the archbishop and put in place, GER
fact that the stone, had been previously blessed
by the sovereign Pontif The procession then
passed around the foundations which the arch
bishop sprnkled with holy water, while the pre-:
clergy.
THE SERMON
Upon the conclusion of these solemn ceremonials
the Most Rev. Archbishop and attending clergy
men proceeded to the rostrum, from which Rev
F. E Boyle pastor Of st. Peters church, pro-
multitude. He selected his text from the tNeiftS
chapter OF St. Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews
wherein the apostle refers to the Church a.
father remarked that in this epistle st. Paul
viyidly described the Church of Christ by con-
trast with the Church Of the Old Dispensation.
which he had previously sketched. His words
were suitable 70 tins occasion. They formed o
perfect portrait Of the Catholic Church, picture
Of the visible fabric Of the Church, and Of every
city Of the living God-to the Heavenly Jerusa-
lem-where was love, peace, unity and truth.
They had come to the Church Of the first born, to
God, the Judge, and to Jesus, who sprinkled the
altar with blood.
In the precincts of the Catholic Church the
altar, on which was the sPrinkling Of blood re-
ferred to by the apostles first greeted the eyes.
Above it was the holy presence Of God, and
around 1t were the bright images of the saints
and angels. Here they would hear the teachings
Here the truth, the sweetness, the purity Of
Catholic faith would be illustrated by devout
Catholic hearts. -.
In the words Of st. Paul we're made manifest1
the beautiful features Of the Church, whether
in Heaven, militant on earth, or SUI
fering in the place of expiration. Here we ind
the Church with all its constituted authorities,
with its divine head. Here we find
verified the words Of st. Paul, Christ himself
being the chief corner-styne. The salvation Of
souls was the great mission of the Church, IS
spread throughout the world, from the day it had
begun in the morning Of Gods Pentecost.
The cornerstone was the seed-it was the
symbol Of the Church, tho expression of Gods
truth. We had seen It laid with much gratifca-
ton. In mind we already saw II lifted up. 1t had
been blessed by Plus *. and this fact gsyett
dedicated under the patronage Of st. Augustine,
the great saint of Africa, the lustrious bIshop of
Hippo; AM, And here to-day wsrs assembled pc.
until they were now in possession OF freedom and
other privileges. All classes were now in sympa-
ny with them. They will come to this house Of
feet order, perfect authority, perfect obedience
Here they will be taught BY those who are au-
thorized to teach: Here they viii have the con.
Ttchon Of things hoped for, and the substance of
things unseen. HIRE they will ind the sraces
that God gives he outpouring Of his spirit.
Here they viii come with eontrite hearts and con-
Tossing lips, and, through the instrumentality Of
man; God will give them absolution. They will
here find the bread Of life, and here the super
natural lite Of the soul will be begun and per-
Iected until We stand in the presence Of God to be
Judged.
this sanctuary, and set up this chair Of truth,
where many viii ind their SOULS salvation; and
We were particularly rejoiced that this work was
begun under such circumstances, by people VINO
asd been led by tnscrutable ways to the attain |
not the work Of politicians. They were here to- |
lay to show their gratitude; to manifest that |
Catholic faith established among them by the
Iaith which allowed them to kneel side By side |
with the highest in the land, which had protected
hem against more suffering, which watched over |
manifestation, in the presence Of the most rever-
he Masses * people gathered here. he same anne
sentiments Of kindness that had been expressed
Tor them BY Catholics in the days Of slavery
There was q special mission open TO the eoiored
people of this city and the adiaeknt e6anties. 1t
The grace Of God was poured out in the Church I
and that she gave them helps to make them ex-l
amples in modesty. purity, honesty and love Of
ruin 1ueTo was lmpOsslDlHty IN the lQe1 that
men governed by the Christening influences Of the
Church could act like pagans. 1t behooved them,
n the beginning Of Q church dedicated under the
Of the great Doctor Of Grace, to re-
member always their profession Of Catholic faith,
md live consistently with It, that thus they
nay secure the eternal salvation Of their souls.
At the close Of the sermon the immense assem-
olage retired, bearing with them the most graft
ying reoollections Of all the incidents attending
he ceremonies Of laying the cornerstone Of ST. |
Augustine 8 church.