The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-03-18

GI0US SERVICES At TIE C11HhDRAL-S0I,
EMY nrGH MASS By EEv. DE-. 0'coyNELL--
| ELoQUEST EuLO0r by REV. ). W. sTEsGER
OF WEST yTgsISTAs &C.
Yesterday was bright and beautiful day,
and but for the fact that our Irish popula-
tion had previ5ns!y decided TO dispense
with any public demonstration they would
have had, what IN years past has been Of
rare occurrence, propitious weather in
which TO celebrate ST. Patlick's day. No
rain, no srow. no wind. but an almost
cloudless ky, delightful temperature, with
the sun shining brightly throughout the en-.
tire day.
SERVICES AT ST. PETERS CATHEDRAL.
The only Observance OF the day was Of a
religious character, services being held at
st. Peters Cathedral 80 10 A. NJ. The con-
gregaiion was not large, and this was doubt
less due 10 the fact that there was not to be
the usual parade OF societies aud the cOnse-
quent lack OF interest in anything else that
might be done.
Solemn high mass was celebrated by Rev.
Dr.. O'Conncll, with Very Rev. Father JAMS
sers as deacon ana Rev. Father HaDley a.
sub deacon. Right Rev. Bishop Keane was
present. and occupied his seat upon the
episcopal throne during the services.
REV. FATHER srENGEE's EuLoGY.
immediately after the reading Of the Cos
pei, Rev. Father Joseph W. Stenger, OF
Charleston, w. Va, ascended the pulpit,
and delivered an eloquent and pleasing eu-
lOgy upon Ireland, patron saint. taking the
following a. bis text: &" His memory shall
not pass away, and bis name shall be IN re-.
quest from generation TO generation -
Ecclcsasles XxXiX.. -. He said
Right Rev. Bishop, Very Reverend and
Reverend Gentlemen, Dearly Beloved
Breihren.-If by the light OF ecclesiastical
history we look back upon those ier cen.
tuiies OF Christianity when tic faith was
only establishing we behold class OF men
traveisipg the continent OF Europe In va
rious directions, every one OF th(m intent
upon purpose that engroSSeS his soul.
Some Journey northWard, Others towards
the south; some aslward, others towards
the west-tOwards different points OF the
compass. their paths crossing and intersec'-
! ing rs do the rO ties OF the caravans which
trade across the Desert OF Africa. Were the
courses Of their iourneyiDgs traced upon the
map OF Europe it would be marked over
with network OF lines.
Who, my dear friends, are these intrepid
wanderers that fear no danger. shun no
fatigue. are appalled, by no difficulties OF
/ the way, or of The countries TO which they
are eoing? They are the holy men who,
inspired with a heavenly zeal, baye taken
/ upon themselves the mission OF carrying
the light OF the Gospel TO the pagan peoples
OF ancient Europe. You viii perhaps say
/ 10 yourselves, i it not strange that for this
work OF
LvANGELIZlNG THE NATIONS
such an apparently reckless transp|dnting
oi n1tonaiiiies should take place! AT one
time we see a st. Denis forSaking the re-
! fined capital OF Greece 10 carry the faith 10
/ The rude inhabitants OF Gaul. At another
! time we see an Augustine setting forth from
the city OF Rome to carry the same faith 10
the barbarous aborigincs Of England. Then
we see the direction reversed, and BOni'
face deScendS from the shores of England
into the forests OF Germany intent upon
the same holy purpose. Next, 81. Pat
rick, sprung OF Roman ancestry, make;
his way back TO the Island OF Hi
bernia-where he has once been slave
driven By zeal for the salvation o.
her noble people. 10 turn, Ireland send'
down her St. COLUMBIAN. who ahorS in tht
same cause in the countries east and west o.
the Rhine. Why this crossing and recfOsS
of these sanity apostles? | think, dearly
beloved friends, TO detect herein the dCsigI
OF God, by this interchange OF great ser
vices between the south and the nOrlD, tn'
east and West--to establish amongst then
that sentiment OF relationship which ough
TO exist between the peoples and the tribe
that compose the grand hons ehOld OF tn
Catholic Church. The Church Is a family
and between the member: II the same fam
ily there must be Il bond OF reciprocal ser
vices, OF common interests, ana of mutua
love. THIS bond exists IN the Cath0li
Church. and in virtue OF It, when the pee
ple OF one nationality commemorate th
feast OF the apostle who brought them L
the faith, the rest OF the great Catholic lam
iiy are entitled TO share in their gladne>s
Accordingly on tins day, though the son
O. Ireland experience the deepest thrlll q
grateful Joy because they are the mmedlat
bCnefciafits Of the life and labors OF thel
pairon, we of other nationalltes, forget
ing for the moment our differences OF race
JON with them in
HOXORING ST. PATRICK,
Il glory OF our common mother The llol
Catholic Church. This thought, also, wi
probably explain why the friendship 0
vour Rioht Reverend Bishop haS cOnferre
this honor upon me to-day. Doubtless b
perceived delicate symbolism IN eulog
OF ST. Patrick delivered before an assemb'
of Irishmen by son OF tGe land eyange
lied by St. Boniiace and St. Columbian. i
cntrusting me, hswever, with this task,
regret that he could not also entru,t NJ
with his own rare gift Of elo1uence
worthily discharge it.
The speaker then proceeded to give
brief but highly interesting sketch Of tl
lie OF ST. Patrick, in the course OF whlc
he wildly portrayed his arduous laborS an
terrible struggles in accomplishing the taS
Of ChrIstianIzIng the idola;rous people
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