Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1884-11-21

a Reception by the Catholic Citizens
OF Baltimore

OF DatttmOfc.
BAATnoEE, NOV. 20.-1le members Of the
Piengry Council were ienoered q reception
this egening b. the Catholics Of Baltimore
at Concordia Opera House. The affair was
one % the grandesi OF its kind thar ever tool
plaes ia this city Thete were about eight
hundred persons present. including arch
bishops, bishops, heads OF orders, mitred
abb0ts, theologians and lesser clergy. The
hall was tastefully and beautifully decorated
with ferns and flowers, and the stage was a
perfect hover garden. At . O'Clock the
asseuiDiage was called 10 order by Mr.. Wm.
OBrien, chairman Of the reception com
mittee who introduced Judge Nm. a. Mer-
rick. After welcoming the prelateE and men,
bers OF the council III behalf Of the Catholics
OF Baltin ore, suige Me4lick said that 1.
reception lad waolosome significance Ia
that II ant 10 represent the ldes OF the
cordial .-ations winch exist between the
Catholic csergy OF America as body and
the Catio.lc ialty as a BODY. The unity OF
sentiment, when forms the bond between
one and the other of The desire of Catholics
10 manifest 10 the world a JUST sense OF the
benefius conferred upon society by the
Catholic clergy OF this country. Inc Catho-
nc clergy, while intoxicating the precepts
OF falth, and encouraging the growth
of spiritual life, bear the most I'M.
portant part III advancing civilization
and III stimulating and promoting learning,
and the arts. Nothing is more generally
misunderstood, he said, than the teachings
and tendencies of the influence of the Catbo-
lie church upon republican institutions.
Doubtless the Plenary Council was looked
upon by many with pIous alarm lest ii prove
To he congress convened TO make insIdlous
war against American freedom. Ia
raj Ff -fn nf Aaa Ea 4
the works of the Congress shine forth in all
their proceedings, Ia laws framed for our
government SO that they may tend 10 the
preservation of peace, the promotion of ma
uonal happiness and the increase of in
dustry, sobrlety and useful knowledge, and
may perpetuate TO us the blessings of equal
liberty.
Archbishop Williams of Boston. in behalf
of the members of the Council responded
briefly TO the address of welcome. He said
IN substance: 1.-The open house of your
and tie open doors extended
on every side, from the clergy to the laity
give evidence OF the warm hospitality of the
Catholics of Baltimore. Here We find the
Mother Church: the place where our first !
Archbishop, Dwell, labored 100 years ago in !
his efforts TO dissem n t. Catholicismln .his !
country. how nobly It has succeeded To-
day we ind hls descendant III title presiding |
over the third Plenary Council, with three |
archblshops and sixty bishops. What |
change In century, We do not deserve or /
take all the glory of the spread of the |
church. 1t is principally due to the advan-
tages of the freedom of this country that
has opened its doors to the wandering for
eigner. If your cardinal (McCloskey) of |
New York could have been here tonight he |
would have been proud to answer this warm |
hos 9ltality, for which |, in the name of the
of the council, most heartily thank
you.