Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-09
END or THE COUNCIL.


mony which the Church throws around tue
acts OF Its priests and prelatcs. AZ on the
orsh'ng day, there was street procession
from The archiepiscopal residence to the
CaiDeuraI. which was witnessed by urge
crowd OF spectators. The sky was cle1r and
the bright sunshine pouring down on golden
mitres, 1eweled crosses. and rich parti-
coioIeo vestments, made up very impos-
ing spectacle, the pale, ascetic face OF some
sged archbishop or the snowy and patri-
srcbaI beard Of a venerable abpot contrast
ing strongly with the fresh, youthful faces
OF the numerous altar.boys who acted as
train-bearers. The procession was headed
BY the seminarisns Of 81. Sulpice, chanting
psalms, and then followed In regular order,
regular and secular clergy, theologians.
superiors OF religious orders, rectors OF
theological semiDar,es. monsignori, mit-cd
abbots, bishops. archbishops, and an archi-
episcopal cross-bearer, between two ac, y
lytes, and preceding Archbishop Gibbons.
the apostolic delegate, accompanied by his
deacons Of honor.
AT The Cathedral PontificaI Mass was
celebrated by Most Rev. Michael Corrigan.
coadtutor archbishop OF bis Eminence the
Cardinal OF New York. On account Of the
sickness OF Rev. p. w. Riordnn. coadjutor
archbishop OF San Francisco, Bishop
SpauIding. Of Peoria, preached the sermon.
IL was very eloquent address, and was
devoted chiefly tn review Of the work OF
the Council. Even to the casual observer,
he said, the Catholic Church must present
marks which stamp her with the impress
OF Gods band. During the past four weeks
there have been gathered together men OF
many tongues and lands, with varied
lines OF thought, sentiment, aud manner,
and when they met in the Council all dif.
fereDces were merged in the unity OF the
faith. and all that was looked to was the
enactment Of Just and wise laws. The
Council met at tine call OF the Vicar OF
Christ. The prelates profess the faith that
was once delivered to the saints, and that
has been handed down from Pope TO Pope.
The marks Of holiness are not absent In
these men; they are seen in their unswery.
ing devotion to principle, their love for
humanity. and their seIi.sacrlice. What
other motive could they have than desire
to upliit man to a purer, higher, and a
freer liiey
The questions which were discussed by
the Council had a direct bearing on the So
cial, moral. religious. and intellectual well
fare OF the people and OF the country at
large. TWAS through the Church In Eu-
rope that woman was raised up, that
childhood was cared for and the Door
aided. and here in this country, where
womanhood is honored, where childhood
Is watched over, and where the poor are
aided. the prelates OF the Church have
sought to remove all obstacles which
might prevent the spread OF the truth, and
have come in spirit OF universal charity
and worldwide benevolence to frame de-
crees which shall inspire greater reverence
for the truth as 1t is In Christ Jesus. They
have been consecrated, chosen, ordained,
and set apart to the work. and have bound
the members OF the Church in the bonds Of
sweet and loving charity. The priest as
we'll as the people, they believe, should be
raised up to the highest ideal, and have
sought TO direct the steps OF the priest
hood, that in il NAV be seen the sweetness,
the meekness, and the gentleness OF Christ.
They have begun by advocating more nd.
vanced studies, and have laid the founda-
tons Of what will yet be great American
Catholic college. thus inspiring all with
love for intellectual progress. They
have treated Of education in general,
Of 4 system which will combine in 1t
the rights OF religion and of govern
ment. They have dealt also with qries-
tions affecting the family, which Is the
basis OF the Church. They want to inspire
a holier reverence for the sacrament
OF marriage. Marriage must be a perpetual
union, lasting as long as life lasts and with
no cause for divorce but death. They have
pleaded for the cause Of sobriety and tenn
perance. They stand on the side OF good
laws and customs, and wish to make the
world so that man may be truly free and
grow in moral purity and Intellectual
worth. They have tried to stimulate the
Catholic press and Catholic literature 80
that men may be led to take greater in
terest in matters affecting them rs Catho-
lies aud American citizens. They have laid
down laws for the guidance OF societies
which cooperate with the Church, and
have sought TO know what is for good and
what for harm in the Church. Their de-
liberatons have been conducted with dig
nifty, and the full thought has been spoken
without restriction.
II Is not possible to realize what has
been done for the Church In this country
during the last hundred years, but thou
sand years from now men can look back on
the triumphs which have been achieved
through all eclipses and shadows, and
doubts and storms, and uncertainties and
inimical tradition, and unfavorable public
opinion. They have laid low all disorder,
rebellion, and schism; they have gathered
together many forces and many tongues,
and while banisbing their defects have
preserved their virtues, and throughout all
the CbIxch has shown that her forces, like
those OF nature. are indestructlble, and
bring life from death and beauty and har-
moDy from chaos.
After the sermon the yestments OF the
pr, lates and priests were changed from
white to those OF red color this color be-
ing symbolIcal OF the tongues OF fire which
descended on the apostles on Pentecost
Sunday. The theologians and other clergy
outside the sanctuary, wearing the capcs,
went into the sacristy and changed Their
vestments, while the vestments OF the pre-
latcs were changed in the sanctuary.
Two semi-circlar rows OF seminarilns.
each holding up red cape before
him, were formed, and the archblshops
and senior bishops took places In front
OF them, and In moment the change from
red TO white was made. The yestments OF
the other pTelates were changed at their
seats. The yestments OF the apostolic dele
gate and his attendants were not changed.
The apostolic delegate. attended by his
deacons Of honor, took seat at the en-
trance Of the sanctuary when the change
was made, and number OF hymns and
psalms were sung and prayers intoned. At
the conclusion Of these the apostolic dele
gate took his scat At the altar steps, with
Bishop Kahn. OF Wheeling, at his right, and
Bishop Janssens. OF NatcheZ, at his left,
and the last session OF the Council was
opened.
Monsignore Corcoran read the chapters
OF the DEGREES passed during last week.
and they were formally adopted. Hardly
more than five minutes were occupied In
the reading. When this was over the pens
and ink with which the bishops and OIL
GERS were TO sign their names in testimony
of the genuineness OF the DEGREES were
placed on the altar. After all the prelates
were again seated Archbishop Kenrick
went up to the apostolic delegate. and they
exchanged the kiss OF peace. The arch
bishop then stood to one side, aud Arch
bishop Alemany similarly saluted the
apostolic delegate, and after exchanging
the kiss with Archbishop Kenrick took
his Ilace at his side. Thus each preate
saluted the apostolic delegate, and passing
along the line saluted each OF the prelates
IS he passed. The kiss Of peace Is given
simply by the two prelates placing their
heads close together and whispering the
attn words PAX tecum" to each other.
AZ the end OF this ceremony Archbishop
Kenrick, OF st. Louis, advanced TO the front
4 the altar, and In broken voice said
lew closing words.