The Republican journal., 1885-09-24
Midnight Mass at the Madeleine.
VESPERS AT THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.
THE ''STAR IN THE EAST"

VESPERS AT THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.
THE "STAR IN THE EAST"
Being resident of Paris during one winter,
it was my good fortune to be present Christmas
Eve at the midnight mass held in the church Of
the Madeleine. This building is one of the fin
est structures In Paris and cost more than two
millions of dollars. Its style Is Grecian, and
entering the immense bronze doors one finds
himself overcome with admiration at the beauty
of the interior. The huge altar, the approach
to w<och is by marble stairs is nicely scuptur-
ed, and the twelve smaller affairs on each side
of the church have statues to their patron
saints. There must have been more than four
thousand people In the church Christmas eve
every inch of room was occupied, and the sea
of faces was almost wearisOme. High mass
was celebrated by thirteen priests, one at each
altar, with the usual number of assistants The
music was magnificent the great Saint-Saens
presiding at the organ, while members of the
Grand Opera House contributed the singing
One OF the sweetest remembrances is the man.
ner in which the Portuguese hymn was sung by
a boy choir, and certainly one felt very near to
heaven while listening to it. The priests wore
their gorgeous robes which are only to be seen
on festal occasions. The soft light from the
candles made the church as Hight as dav.
The faithful knet at the affairs to partake of
the holy waters, and we onlookers gaZed In adj
miration at the inspiring scene. do not won
der that the Catholic religion proves so attract
i've. The great display, the fine music, the
fragrant incense, all leave kind of ntoXiea-
ton
Quite contrast to this was the scene at
the immaculate Conception Sunday afternoon
where the "Stabat Mater" was sung The
church Is under the charge of the Jesuits in
Boston, and although it Is not imposing, yet
the interior in white and gilt gives a very light
and airy appearance to the building. The
twelve pillars that support the arch of the
ceiling are bright with hundreds Of crystal
prisms that reflect the light from the gas Jets.
As | entered the church the strange, faint odor
of incense, the intonng of the priests and the
sweet notes of the soprano sent thrill through
my heart and although no magnificent robes or
dazzling light greeted my eyes, yet there was
more of rest in the service. The "Cuius Ami
man. and 'lntlammatus'' were well rendered
and the large audience seemed highly gratted
As sat in The church looking at the various
emblems about the altar, | thought of the new
star which is causing such a discussion. It Is
in the constellation of Andromeda, and scien-
titic gentleman while reviewing some astron-
omcal works last winter found the record Of a
similar star which appeared in 945, again In
1864, and the third time in 1872, thus making
about an interval of 314 years between each
appearance. Tracing the term of 3l4 years
backward it bits almost exactly on the date of
the birth Of Christ, and who knows but that
this is the veritabe ''star of the east?' It can
be seen any clear night and is easily distinguish
ed by its brightness.
Boston, Sept. II. NJ,