Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1884-12-08
THE COUNCIL CLOSED.
WORK DONE DURING THE SESSION
a Decision by Bishop Spauiding
The Results Accomplished
The DEGREES.

BALTIMORE, Dec. The third Plenary
Council of the Roman Catholic Church
closed to-day with solemn session at the
cathedral. Long before . O'Clock the streets
surrounding the cathedral were thronged
with people waiting for the procession of the
fathers of the church 10 leave the Archi-
episcopal residence Tue windows of the
houses in the Wei .iiy were also Gro dsd with
people A few minutes after 10 O'Clock the
line of prelates emerged from the building
headed by chanters. Turning into Mulberry
street they proceeded 10 Cathedral street,
where they were met by procession and
cross-bearers, seminarians and regular and
secular clergy. The procession then wended
its way 10 the cathedral. Inside the sacred
edifce every available inch of space
was occupied. Neither the preiates nor the
lesser clergy wore the vestments worn on the
opening day. The gorgeous hues of the
many and varied colors in which they were
then clad were wanting. This time the vest
ments were white. The reason for the change
lis that the mass celebrated was that of the
Holy Trinity, mass of Thanksgiving. The
mass was celebrated by the Most Rev. Mi
chael Corrigan, of New York. After mass a
discourse was delivered upon the work of
the Council. by Right Rev. L. l.. Spaulding,
ID. d., bishop of Peoria. Ill
The remarks of Bishop Spaulding do much
in the matter of enlightening the public as
TO what questions were discussed by the
Council. He said: "The Council met at the
call of the Vicar of Christ Ii was presided
over by the apostolic dele gate who derives his
authority from Leo XIII, and his authority
reaches back through the line of the pontiffs,
existing through eigteen centuries back
TO Peter. The faith we pro
fess is that delivered unto the Saints.
What motive has led here all these venerable
prelates! There is but one answer, desire 10
work with God in the uplifting of men 10
purer, higher and better lives. Many ques-
tions were discussed with calmness and JUS
tice, and had all bearing upon the moral,
religious and social we'll being of the people
who are in our charge? The Council has
might prevent the spread of Christ's
gospel, has sought 10 frame its
desires that all who may listen to them
may be inspired with deeper reverence. The
Council has devoted much of its time to the
priesthood and has done much to regulate
bishops and priests and priests and people.
1t has laid the foundation for an institution
National Catholic university. Educa-
ton in general received much con-
sideration. As we are committed TO
religion as necessity to man, SO We believe
that the right education must embrace Its
teachings. We have pledged ourselves To the
maintainance of such education. In short
time now the Catholic schools in this coun-
try will be second to none in excellence. We
have discussed the family out of which grow
both church and State. We
have sought more deeply to i'm
press the sacredness of this sacrament
of matrimony that divorce is only through
death. The Council has sought 10 check
some of the abuses of the day, so deleterious
to the interests of the state as well as of the
church. The Catholic press is another in
stitution which the Council seems TO have
fostered throughout the land. We have also
endeavored TO warn our brethren against
such dangerous institutions as ignore some
of the fundamental truths of religion"
After Bishop Spaulding had concluded,
the roll was called and the DEGREES as yet un-
acted upon, were read and voted upon. The
duty of signing the DEGREES was then per-
formed, after which an oath was taken not
to reveal what the Council had done until
their acts received the approval of the Pope
at Rome. Acclamations of thanksgiving
were sung and the prelates received from
the apostolic delegate the kiss of grace. When
the ceremony of the paternal salutation was
concluded and after mutual fluctuations the
apostolic delegate bestowed the papal bless
ing, and the third Plenary Council of the
Catholic Church in the United States ended.