The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-05-13
LETTER FROM ST. LOUIS.
ESPECIAL Correspondence Of the Star ,

to form some idea of the Norther that we have
been enjoying in st. Louis sor the past month,
let them take from their climate the cold of
December, the rains of February, and the
bleak winds Of March, mix them well together
and the gumbo will be something like the
article We have on hand here; an occasional
sun from May can be thrown in for an hour or
two, say twice week, with the streets well
covered with mud, and they will have the in
spiriting picture. In spite of all this st. Louis
is
A GREAT CITY.
"When l came here in forty three" said an
old resident to me, "Chouteau's house, corner
Of Eight and Pine, was way outin the country"
Now the Rock Church, where Father Meredith,
90 long loved priest in New Orleans, is
stationed, il nearly three miles further West
and is still in the city, surrounded by hand
some residences and comfortable homes. For
two-thirds of this distance the houses are con-
tinuous. and even further out the improve
ments are quite close together. st. Louia hes
nowi believe, forty-two Catholic churches,
amongst which, the most interesting, is of
course,
THE CATHEDRAL,
the site for which was marked by Linguest,
when he made the original plan for the viii
lage, which has since grown to be SO magnif-
| cent and prosperous a city. 1t fronts on
Walnut, between Second and Third, and like
our own Cathedral, has been the scene Of
pious zeal, heroic and indefatigable labors of
| generations of devoted priests. This, the first
| church in st. Louis, was built of logs aud con-
secrated in 177O, Father Gibault being the
pastor who ofaciated in this primitive church.
For nearly fifty years this log building answer
| oil the spiritual wants of the villagers. The
brick edifoe was built in 1918, and although
considered building of elegant proportions
at that time, it shows to poor advantage COM
pared with the magnificent structures of these
| later days. The Cathedral is now under the
direction of the Rev. Miles w. Tobyn. The
Archbishop, Most Rev. Peter Richard Ken
drick removed about ten years ago to
| ST. JOHNS CHURCH,
corner of 10th and Chestnut streets, where is
also stationed Right Rev. Bishop P. J. Ryan.
His Grace, the Archbishop, was consecEated on
the Sd of November, 1s41, Bishop Of Drasa,
and ooadjutor to the Right Rev. Bishop Rosati,
(6rst Bishop of st. Louis) he became Bishopof
st. Louis in 1843, and was created Archbishop
in 1S47.
The interior of st. Johns presents a massive,
rather than an elegant appearance. Seven
columns on either side of the walls reach to
the base of the high vaulted ceiling, which is
ornamented with appropriate paintings. The
windows which are placed high up, are of
variagated glass; giving subdued light
throughout the body of the church. Tne
High Altar is built in plain style, and on the
wall over it there is fine picture of the AS
cension of Oar Lord.
At High Mass yesterday, notwithstanding
the bad weather, there was large congrega-
tion present. The music was very fine, the
solos were particularly well given. The col
leotons at all the Masses yesterday in all the
churches, were taken up for the support of
orphans under charge of the Roman Catholic
Orphan Asylums of this city. The orphans
3 number about six hundred, and collections are
made for their special benefit in May and No
vember.
Right Rev. Bishop Ryan preached g sermon
on the Appartions of Our Saviour to the Deci-
pies after His Resurrection. 1t was one Of tie
t most eloquent, and scholarly, and impressive
discourses that have ever had the pleasure Of
! listening to. AS a peroration Father Ryan
made affecting appeal for the orphans,
which brought tears to the eyes of many of his
> listeners, and doubt moved them to con
tribute liberally to the sacred cause in behalf
of which he spoke. These
ORPHAN AsYLUMs
. are three in number st. Mary's having las
girls St. Bridgers Half Orphan Asylum, 130
girls, and st. Joseph's with 800 boys. The
average expenee of each child per annum in
the different asylums is: st. Bridget's $46 q !;
St. Mary's SAY; St. Joseph's SAB 80. The total
receipts for the maintainence of the three
asylums, from May 1st, 1876, to May 1st, 1877,
= we're $22,69l so, and the expenditures $685.
2 0s6 10, showing deficit of 1894 60.
: ODLAw.
Two boys were standing before Cigar store,
when one asked the other
"Have you got three cents 7"