Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-11-11
Highest Prelates Of Catholicism in America
Present.
ARCHBISHOP RYAN'S SERMON
A Magnificent Tribute to the Laymen Of
the Church---Ths Work Of Edu-
CATION Growth of CathOl
icism in Century---A
Grand Banquet.

huulNtIhdIy y VI tue appointment Vi thS A'S
American Catholic Bishop, the insugura-
tion of the first Congress of Catholic lay
men held in the United States, and the
dedication of the New National University
for Catholics. Thousands of strangers
!, we're in Baltimore to witness the spectaclts
Four times as many people, not counting
local Catholics, as could possibly be ac-
cOmmodated in the Cathedral, where the
initial scenes are to be witnessed. So
ereat was the pressure for seats that per-
sons known TO have travelled scross the
continent from California expressly to be
present, we're among those diappointed in
not securing admission.
THE AUGUST CEREMONIES.
Except for the inevitable inc)nveniences
due to over croSdiug, everything moved
like cock. work. The hall 10 which the
priests assembled was deliberately deco
rated Above the doors were the Papal
colors. yellow and white and there stretch
ing upward to the caves were great stream
era of red, white and blue. When all was
ready 800 clergy, walking two and two,
emerged clad IN white suTplices and black
cassocks and berettas. AT the doorway
of the Clrdina's house and leading up the
broad steps, with ssbres and polished hell
NETS glittering in the bright morning aun-
light. were two double lines of guards.
Here again the Pspal cOlOrs and the stars
and stripes were intermingled. In all di-
rections the street seemed filled with peO
Pile and the open windows Of surrounding
-, L,I ~
DISTINGUISHED PRELATEs.
Presently, while the white surpliced
priests were opening ranks, macs Of pur-
pie enveloped figures were seen in the Car
dinals doorway. II was the gathering OF
nearly all the Catholic Bishops end Arch
bishops OF the United States, with repre-
sentatives from Mexico, Canada, England
and Rome. The Preiates nov came forth
from the big porhco in paire, snd as each
two stepped into the street, their costly
robes were caught up by diminutive alter
boys in waiting, who then walked behind
taking care that the brilliant fabrics were
kept stainless for the ceremonies TO come.
Here and there among the silken vest
ments OF the Bishops could be seen the
coarse brown or white garb Of 81 Abbott.
THE LINE OF MARCH.
Along the long lines Of priests the pre-
lates treaded their wey sll around the
square TO the main entrance Of the Oathe-
dral the rear of the procession being
brought up by the tall, ascetic figure of
Archbishop FeehaD, Of Chicago, who i'm
medIateIy preceded golden vestured
cross bearer, followed by two spare, slight
looking men almost hidden in dszzliug
scarlet The two men ia scarlet we're the
Cardinals of the Roman Cburcn in Amer
ica-Gibhons, Of Baltimore, and Tsscher
eau, of Quebec. Eight scolytes held their
long vestments, end surrounding were
their monsigueurs with the Papsl dele
gates. O'Connell and Saloili, of Rome.
MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE
In the Cathedral ten minutes later tie
scene YVES simply magnificent. The paws
throughout the church were crowded TO
their utmost with laity. In striking con-
trast with the dark-clothed aggregation
thus formed were the aisles, centre and
front and sides, packed with the snog eur
ced priests Against both lsity and
priests shoue the serried purple ranks Of
the prelstes inside the sanctuary. On
either side was the Diss for the Cardinals |
| At the high altar stood the mitred cele-
brant of The mas, Archbishop Williams,
of Boston, and over oil was the great white
aud Id dome OF the Cathedral.
AT THE CoNsECRATIoN POST
the Cardinals advanced from sides with
the MonsiguOrs snd bOwing themselves
low, knelt at Pfeideux, facing tie altar.
| Bfck of them was ray Of Tich-srrayed |
Acolytes, bearing lighted bronze torches.
AS Cardinal Gibbons retired 10 his dais,
the reporters in the impTOyised press gal
| lery noticed for the first time. not SIX feet
away from him 10 the sanctuary, among
the Abbotis and other special dignliaries,
the black face Of Father TOlt1n, of C1ica-
20. the first colored Catholic priest Or
daiued in America. Probably the most
impressive part of the mass, next to the
conservation, WIS the cOnfeuiug Of the
pspal blessing. The venerable Archbishop
at the altar seemed to feel it donby SOL
emn moment, when, turning to the con-
gregation, he pluied for an instant, then,
While the people in the church kDelt, he
raised bis hand and slowly made the sg1
of the cross. The mass ended with spe-
cial intercession for the Pope, chanted by
all the clergy.
THE CENTENNIAL GRAFTON.
The first orstion Of the Centenary fol-
lowed. II was delivered by Archbishop
Ryan, of Philadelphia, whose fine pres
ence and magnetic eloquence 10 spite OF
the long ceremonial precedings held his
bearers for another bonr and half The |
patriotic Spirit of the Archbishop's address
and his tribute to the recent devOtee Of The |
colored people and Indians seemed 10
awaken general enthusiasm, but the most |
telling effect was aroused when he virdi- |
Gated the rights Of Catholic editors, If need |
be. to freely comment on the tailipgs OF the
elefgy.i
ARCHBISHOP RYAE's SERMON.
Taking as his text Ecclesiasticus, chapter
30 verses |. ., Il and II, Archbishop
RYAN addressed the Assembly Most en'
inent Cardinals, most Reverend Repre-
sentative OF the Supreme Pontit, veneIa-
BILE Brothers of the Episcopacy and the
Clergy, beloved Brothers OF the isity-ln
this fftietn chapter Of the Book of Eccle-
siastieus. We read glowing euloey Of the
High Priest Simon, and magnihcent ne-
scription of the religious ceremonies,
ia the Temple OF God, surrounded by his
priests. The ceremonies OF the Temple
foresbadowed those of the Christian
Church, and the descriptions of this chap
ter seem like prophets vision Of Pom
ti6cal or Papsl Mass, and you behold en-
acted here to-day sceue like that gloii-
ous one parrs,ed in this chapter.
HISTORY OF The CHURCH.
Let n, dear Fathers and brethren,
glance at the church in this country during
,he past century, end eudeavor 10 under
stand lis action and spirit. Ard by the
mas. we may judge of the yet more gloTi,
ens future. AS the student OF our national
biatory in observing the rise of the young
: Tsnubiic itself naturally fixes his attention
an the great leader, who embodied IN him
self the principles and the spiri' OF that