The New York herald., 1875-03-26

bearer, with acolytes either side then the boys
III red cassocks, next the seminarians and the
priests, aud then the Cardinal carrying IN veied
eeporium the blessed sacrament beneath canopy
Moore. DR.. James O'Rourke and John w. Mckinley.
lhuruers swung their censers III 'front.' of the
Cardinal. who was assisted on either side by his
ueacons OF honor. Following the canopy were
Father kearney, master OF ceremonies. and he
vested boys bearing the candle. the BOOK. the
crozler ana the support lor the mtre. The priests
anu the boys all joined IN singing the "Pange
Lingua," the choir singing alternate verses.
tory, which was now brilliantly lighted up, the
Cardinal pronounced the penediction and the
DECORATIONS OF THE SACRED DEPOsToRIEs.
me depository here mas been very elegantly ar
TINS temporary altar Tor Maundy Thursday Will
snow much more OF wealth OF ornamen tatlon
ana ana decorations tnan is to be seen at the Cathe.
dral. There was noticeable everywhere. on and
around the altar, the want OF flowers. Lights
alone seemed TO constitute all that 1t was believed
was needed. temporary canopy surmounts tue
altar, IN itself scarcely rich enough for such day.
The tabernacle is yelled with silver cloth, which
Is the only thing that lmparts richness to the
general appearance.
In other churches visit to these decorated
affairs was well worth paying. In many OF them
there was a most generous profusion OF elegant
presents from pious ladies', VINO do this work
Surround tne deoostory aSd ost Tasteu de
signs are wrought with the flowers, and elegant
ornaments are used among the decorations. In
ST. Stephens church, Twenty -eighth street; St.
Anns, East Twelfth street; st. Francis Xavier's,
West sixteenth street; the German church in
repositories displayed great taste in the
admirable manner IN which they were prepared.
CT people. a large number being Protestants OF
various denominations. visited the churches to
see the elegance OF design displayed IN each,
and, as Is customary. an exchange OF views as to
the claims or each for superiority formed the
the Wen e 81 se ee0Re m e m
crowds making visits were especially large both
IA the cnnrces ana on the streets leading TO tnem:
in THIS regard, and indeed during the day there
was noticeable, all the city over, general holiday
air, which spoke well for an appreciation among
the people OF solemn season in the religious
year.
At the Tenebre In The afternoon n large congre-
CATION attended in the Cathedral. The mean-
chOy lamentations always have an irresistible
attraction in Holy Week. The whole service, from
first TO last, was most fitting prelude TO The sac
rlhce when the Cnurch commentaries to-day.
The gloom OF the edlfice and the unusual dlmness
OF the sanctuary, ieebv lighted. and the purple
screening concealing everything that might look
harmony with the wall like chant OF the
psalms OF the office and the still more tender
In the eXtingulshing OF the lights on the trian
gular candlestlck there was the secret meaning
OF the top candle anu the clappng OF hands which
followed u')on It's temperance ali revealed some
thing OF the significance which the Church IN
MONIES. Tne contrast between the hgn
altar ana the Illuminated altar Of the
which filled the mind or the worshipper
attending to the chanting OF the dolorous
office must have had brief conflict in the sug
gestiveness OF the joyous chacter of the presenta
tion mere. But in every part of the church the
people seemed to be wrapped In devotion. 1t was
late at nlgnr when the last OF the Visitors to the
depository lett the church.
GOOD FRIDAY.
This being Good Friday host will be conse.
Grated at the masses IN the catholic churches.
The mass said Is called the mass OF the presanct-
fed, the host having been consecrated yesterday
morning. Th1s afternoon, at the usual
hour, the office OF the TenebrG will be
sung in many OF the churcnes and SER
mons preached later in the evening on the
eXnaustess theme OF the death OF the Saviour
There seems to be growing disposition among
the people that Good Friday should be made
legal holiday For few days past thousands OF
people nave been making inquiries of eacn other
as to whether or not this day was holiday
legally, lact which points in the direction OF It's
soon becoming so. All the corporations down town
Will cease from business to-day-the Stock Ex.
change, the Produce Exchange, the Chamber OF
Commerce, the Gold Room, &C. The banks, how
ever, must remain open. as there Is no legal au-
thority TO keep them closed. Judging from the
experience OF last year, the day Will count to all
intents ana purposes, IN the mercantile world,
next 10 a dies