The Van Buren press., 1875-03-30

| eS- Our local has had leave of absence
observngs: We spent delightful time, last
week, In Fort Smith. 1t was what Is known
as" Holy Week" and the ceremonies were all
very solemn and impressive. The "Reposi.
tory which is a side altar to which the Bles-
sed Sacrament is removed from the main al
tar, on Thursday, to remain till after the cru
cifixion anniversary the next day, was most
beautiful. 1t was mass of flowers and
adorned from top to bottom with everything
that could crafty the eye and captivate the
senses. Over the place where the sacrament
was placed, was a beautiful arch, sustained
by pillars Of fresh roses. In the arch was the
name JESUS" in letters oil cedar. The light
of a hundred candles, shone upon the beauti-
ful altar. and surrounded it as though with a
halo of glory, and filling the bcart of the
Catholic with solemn and holy impression 1t
was the handiwork Of the sisters and yeung
ladies of the church, and was highly credita-
BILE to them. Good Friday the anniversary
Of the cruciNion, was the occasion of a Sc
ries of interesting and beautifully impressive
ceremonies. The priest was robed AS in mas
ses for the dead the altar was draped in black
and everything seemed to whisper to the
soul of the beholder, :" The Son of God is
dead! Upon the Cross lie breathcd His last
In agony lie bowed His head and cried, ''Tis
done" the debt of sin is passed" Easter
Sunday. though gloomy day, outside, was
cheerful and joyous in the church. During
the week we had been commenting upon and
trying to comprehend the passion of Christ
We had stood by, in spirit, when the gospel.
were read, and saw the cruel lash. it fell
upon His back. We saw Him fall beneath the
weight of that cross to which he was so soon
be nailed We saw the blood gush from His
eyes and nose, and ears and bubble to His lips
with each beat of His heart. We have seen
the cruel thorns pierce His holy brow We
have heard the angry crowd revile and taunt
Him. We have seen the sun, the source OF
cothe the earth in darkness dire and dread,
that it might not look upon the dreadful sac
rficc. We have heard Him cxclaim in the
language Of David, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabac-
thani!" Ny God! My God, why hast thou
forsakcn ME 2" This is what we were calling
to our mind during the week, and we had
seen the vast congregation bow down to the
very floor. and mingle their tears with its
dust. But Easter had Some. The earth had
opened its breast,and forth stepped the Redee-
mcr. The whole Christian world, regardless
of name or sect, rejoice over the resurrection
The Catholic church lays aside her mourning
garb, ana her sad aud plaintiye music. Her
altars are bcstrcwed with flowers and her
canticles breathe of joy and exultation. The
choir is composed mostly of children, men
singing the male parts, and under the instruc-
ton Of Professor DeCoursey, sing remarkably
welt. The voice Of chid-song is always
sweet but it i. particularly so. when it trcm.
blingly utters the sweet music of the church
\ little girl, named Miss Jameson. so small
| that her head Just reached above the front OF
the gallery. sang a beautiful solo. 1t was as
though an angel had dropped down into the
church, and sung an anthem to her Creator
1t was touching incident; that pure and in
nocent child. in whose breast no guile had as
yet entered, lifting the bell-likc tones of her
! girll>h voice, III the words OF Tue Dcahtiiu
prayer" Agnus bei qni TOLLS peccata mum
di, 40, Lamb of God, who taketh away the
sins Of the world. have mercy on us" ItwaS
touchingly beautiful. and We went away Il
| better man from the influence of that sweet
childs modulatcd cadcnccs in that beautiful
prayer. Miss Ella Burns sang the same solo
and did it cXccllcntly. Her clear ringing
y,i,n SWnll,I snfily and lv Z r,u,,h lao
church, and lifted every heart within its walls
to the Redccmcr into whose ears the sweet
girl was bIcathing her beautiful progressing
Miss Scott sang a solo at the oilertory. The
sermons, during the week by Father Smytll
were full of good, sound, practical instruc-
ton. We shall remember with much pleas
urc our weeks visit to Fort Smith