Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-12-10

general has also received much considera
ton. As we are committed to religion as
necessity to man, so we believe that a
right education must embrace its teachings.
We have pledged ourselves to the mainte-
nance of such education. In a short time
our Catholic schools in this country will be
second to no others in excellence.
I'VE have also discussed the family out
of which grow both church and state. We
have sought more deeply to impress the sa-
credness of the sacrament of matriuony;
that divorce is only through death; that
love and reverence and mutual forbear-
ance should exist between husband and
vile. The council has also sought to check
some OF the abuses of the day so deleterious
to the interests of the state as we'll as of the
church. We call upon you especially to be
temperate in the use of into vicating liquors
The Catholic press is another institution
which the council seeks to have fostered
throughout this land. We have also en-
deavored to warn our brethren against such
dangerous organizations as ignore some OF
the fundamental Truths of religion. In a
word, the combined wisdom of the church
of America has been for four weeks work
ing to enact such DEGREES as will be tor her
lasting good. Our discussions have been
absolutely free, as no one had any private
ends to gain. We may belive that God has
worked through this council to bring all the
manifold and divergent forces that live
within the church to act from one common
center.
When Bishop 8paulding had finished his
sermon all the tbelogians and number OF
semiuarians arose from their seats in the
nisles and entered the sacristy. Then while
the organ played softly, row after row of
prelates descended u the center Of the
sanctuary, and having removed their white
vestments replaced them with Copes, dal-
MATES or chasubles of red. The red vest
ments were worn to symbolic the tongues
of fire which descended on the apostles upon
the day of Pentacost, when the Holy Ghost
was given to them. So the members OF the
council in the solemn closing session signi-
fed that they invoked the Holy Ghost to in
spire the momentols proceedings of the day.
| The apostolic delegate and his assistants did
not change their vestments. They still re-
tianed the gold copes.
The yestments of white changed for those
of red, the apostolic delegate descended
from the throne, and after the opening pray
ers, the "Veni Creator Spiritus and the
psalms had been sung, took his place on the
altar steps, with the promoters OF the coun'
Gil, Right Rev. John j. Kahn, d. d., bishop
of Wheeling, and Right Rev. Francis Jams
sens, D. D., bishop Of Natchez, on either
side of him.
The roll was then called by Right Rev,
Dennis J. O'Connell, ID. D., Of Richmond
assistant secretary, each prelate answering
"Adsum." This done, the DEGREES as yet
Enacted upon were read to the council oy
Right Rev. J. A. Corcoran, D. D., Of Phila
deiphia. The question upon tn" adoptior
Of the DEGREES were put =: "a turn to the pre-
lates on the G"gy,pel and Epistle side of thu
sanetusrJ by Rev. John s. Foley, D D..
chancellor of the council.
The solemn duty of signing the decree;
as then performed. The large scroll lay
upon the altar table, containing all the worb
of the council. 1t was broad enough to re
ceive two columns of signatures. The apos
tolic delegate was the first to inscribe his
name. After him Bishops Kahn and Jams
sen appended their signatures as promoter;
Of the council. Then came the archbishops
two at time followed by the bishops, and
then the mitered abbots. The secretarie:
were the last to place their signatures on
the scroll. When all the prelstes had affixed
their names and given their assent to the
| record of their labors, DR.. Corcoran read
the oath which the members of the council
had taken not to reveal what the council
had done until their acts should receive the
approval of Rome.
AccIsmations of thanksgiving we're then
snug autiphonally by the deacons and the
choristers, while all the prelates, one by one
moved toward the apostolic delegate to re
ceive from him the kiss of peace.
Archbishop Gibbons, his face illuminated
by kindly smile, saluted each member o.
the council by stopping over and kissing
him upon the check. As each prelate re
ceryed the salution from the apostolic dele
gate he moved past the line formed by those
who faG preceded him, each of whom he IL
turn saluted by either kissing his cheek OIL
placing his head against that OF his fellow
member. As they thus greeted one another
the first said, rPax tenn" Peace be with
thee" He was met with the response
eft cum spirtu tue '-"And with thy spirit
The teryor of the salutation was varied In
accordance with the degree Of intimacy ex
listing between the fathers of the council.
When the ceremony of frsternal saluta
ton was concluded the Most. Rev. Peter K
Kenrick, d. D., archbishop of st. Louis
arose and in behalfof the members OF the
council addressed the apostolic delegate, re.
ferring to the wisdom with which he had
| presided over the councils deliberations and
the untiring zeal which he had manifested.
Archbishop Kenrick also referred feelingly
10 the fact that he alone was present OF those
who had attended the first Plenary Council
held in the Cathedral of Baltimore fifty
wears ago. He alse returned the thanks Of
The council for the hospitality received in
Baltimore.
The apostolic delegate, Archbishop Glib
bons, in reply said that whatever success
had attended his humble efforts wefs due to
God and the kind forbearance Of the mem
bers of the council
II have attended many august bodies in
this world" he continued, "but never be-
fore did / behold so much harmony and
concord, never before did see more ear
nest discussion united with unfailing cour-
tesy than in the proceedings of the Third
Plenary Council of Baltimore. We met
many Of us, as strangers. but we part loving
and cherished friends. The wosds spoken