Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-11-25
NO. As.
In Memoriam.

tons Of the late Mrs. Adeline Miles HAr-
ris have just erected 10 her memory in st.
Johns Episcopal Church, this place, Of
which she was devout member, beauti-
ful stained. glass window.
II occupies space on the North, or
Lamb street side Of the church, and il in
every respect fl worthy companion 10 the
large East and West windows which are
memorials 10 the late Judge Burnside snd
Judge Hale respectively.
We are not able 70 give technical dcs-
eripiion Of it but may say that every ono
who has any knowledge Of this kind of art
will pronounce this specimen TO be OF a
high order.
The subject Of tho design is "FAith, -
prominent characteristic in the Christian
life Of Mrs Harris. II is represented in
the center Of the panel by the figure Of an
Oriental female who stands with face and
eye uplifted, gazing steadfastly towards
heaven, ss If a voice from thence had
drawn her attention thithcr. By her lef,
hand she is half resting upon a staff sur
mounted by golden cross az If ready to
step forward in obedience TO the heavenly
call. The right arm hangs gracefully At
her side, and the hand firmly grssps the
Holy Bible. All the draI,ery is disposed
Of in manner most natural. The colors,
rich and deep, and distributed with the
most pleasing effect, are well burnt into
heavy and expensive English cathedral
glass and when the light of heaven shines
through it, il suggests TO the beholder how
the light Of God truth may illuminate the
life and character Of every one who exer.
cises loving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The window was executed by Mr.. II.
Stellwsgon, of Philadelphia, who has we'll
acquired the art Of glass painting for
churches-an art which occupied the time
of men Of the highest talent in ancient
times. For 1t is mistake TO suppose, As
some do that the introduction of stained
glass windows into churches is something
new. In the first ages Of Christianity
churches were adorned with marble mo-
sale representations Of holy men whose
lives ami examples were considered worthy
of imitation. But in the fifth or sixth
century, when the art Of glass painting
was introduced into Europe, glass-mosaics
took the place Of these marble-mosaics
and were erected in churches As memorials
Of the faithful departed, instead OF the
marble slabs, or monuments which the
heather erected over the graves Of their
departed friends or relations. So that,
while the erection Of marble monuments
and tombstones 10 the memory Of the
dead, over their graves, il Of heather ORR
gin, the erection in churches Of windows
containing representations of Christian
doctrines, or setting forth some prominent
Characteristic of the persons thus memo
rialized, is Of Christian origin and is
therefore more TO be encouraged by Chris
tians than the heather custom.
II is true that the first object of these
klhrH hlAhhlN NihuoNk AdH 70 INSTRUCT lue
common people in Christian truth. But
as early as the sixth century they were
used as memorials as above stated, in the
place Of tombstones. And in this day Of
the revival Of decorative art there is no
more impressive or effective method Of
keeping the great virtues Of good men and
women in remembrance, for the purpose Of
initiating them, than by representing those
virtues in these beautiful glass mosaics
which not only furnish appropriate adorn-
meni for the House Of God, but irresistAbly
attract the eyes Of those who come to wor-
ship there, and fssten upon their minds
the teachings they may embody.
4 4 II.