Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-07-10

Sunday marked q rad-letter day In the
history of thu Catholic church OF VIII
mington. The cornerstone laying OF st.
Joseph's school, for colored children,
was the occasion Of the largest Catholic
demonstration ever seen in the city.
II, II was only in last October that Bishop
ECurtis was able to begin to carry out his
onsrished design of establishing mis-
X sion TO the colored people Of this diocese,
and II was then thet he secured the ser
N vices OF the Rev. j. A. de Ruyter, mis-
Bionary of st. Joseph's Society, con-
N gregation of secular priests conseorated
to the welfare OF the colored race. The
work before Father de Ruyter seemed to
many almost hopeless but he was not to
be discouraged and ct once began to hold
services In st. Mary's Church for the
people of his new charge. By on
active canvass Of the oolored people
he soon made many friends and
II, the services began TO be attended by
4 greater numbers. The oolored people
are particularly keen in recognizing the
services OF those who work disinterest-
III eddy in their behalf and with this test
N Father de Ruyter was soon a favorite.
M With the experience attending the open
M ing OF several missions he came here
Il, with an apostolic spirit guided by that
" knowledge which can come only from
long experience and careful, sympa-
thetio study Of the race question. Shortly
n Tpreter coming here he purchased the fine
"A izebperty on French street. on which he
csshposes to erect for the present COM
A CT nrlous school and house for the Sisters
I thing l. Francis, who will have charge OF
standardization of the colored children.
Nowililding of the school and house
aas an. about three weeks ago, tho con-
! people eing awarded to John Mulvens,
alton, q pushing on the work vigorously.
have D announcement Of the oorner-stone
comeBi was hailed with delight by the
\ or froilicB Of the city and the Catholic go
their iss at once signitied their intention of
has gag Bishop Curtis and Fsther de Ruy-
that an earnest of their support and en-
Encouragement in this Catholic and apos-
ttolic work. Not only the Catholic
societies of this city but societies from
New CASTLE and Chester were glad to
swell the enthusiasm evoked by the occa-
sion.
THE PARADE.
4 New Castle sent her St. Peters r. A. b.
Society and division of the Ancient Order
of Hibernians. Chester sent q magnih-
cent delegation OF 500 men, members or
the Ancient Order of Hibernians, together
with a company of 800, who came with
Penn Landing Council, Catholic Benevo-
lent Legion. Washington and Baltimore,
the scenes of Father de Ruyter'B early
labors, where he is still aifeotionately re-
membered by the grateful colored people,
sent on three large societies OF colored
people. st. Aueustine's Society of colored
4 knights from Baltimore aud Washington,
IL as we'll "a Ut. Anne's Beneficial Society
from Baltimore, attracted much favorable
attention, their presence and knightly
bearing being revelation TO those who
have not yet learned the possibilities of
~the religious development of the colored
raca. The eolored knights arrived about
noon and were at once received by their
white brothers, the Heights OF st. Law
renee, who showed them every courtesy
and hospitality, spreading fine luncheon
for them in their hall.
About l o'clock the various societies
began to assemble and the streets were
SAlive with people waiting for the pro-
SESSION to move. The line was formed
Snt sixth and West streets, with carriages
oontaining the bishop, Vicar general
Lyons, the Very Rev. Lesson, provincial
Of Yho Josephites, and the Revs WIlbers,
Brady, de huytar, Flynn, Birmingham,
darcy, Kelly, Miokle and Dollard, pre-
I Nsaged by Hyatt'a Military Band with the
VI lights of st. Lawrence, Ohiaf Marshal
| Whn j. Monaghan Aids Lewis Ham
Z zrer, Robert Oottinsham, William j.
~ &byce and Thomas Il. O'Donnell and the
blored knights from Washington and
<{3sltimore, leading the procession. Oar
.RfyIages containing eolored Rcolytes imme-
fb Nsately followed the clergy. Next came
,/}v ooietieH in this order named: st.
X EI3enediot's Beneficial Society, Anthony
~ Gross, marshal; 81. Joseph's Beneficial
N Society, Antonio Koponski, marshal; st.
Mary's T. A. B. Society, John Dougherty,
marshal; st. Peters L. A. B. Society OF
New Castle, Peter Madden, marshal; st.
Anne's TIA. B. Society, John McAteer,
narshsl; aat Mary's t. A. B. Pioneer
~ Corr Divisions Nos. 1 and 2, A. o. H.,
&'F>-ts hester, respectively In command OF
stephen McArdle and CHARLES 0Avanaugh,
III $500 men, escorted By delegation from
Nj )the local A. o. H.; Divisions Nos. 1, Q, 3,
NJ 4 and 6, A. o. H., 800 men in command
MI OF State Delegate Edward F. Kane and
Y County Delegate William Condor; Oath.
olic Union of Chester, L. J. Flnnegan,
marshal; Immaculate Heart Literary In
stitule OF Ohenter, M, j. Briokley, mar.
4 shal; Reilly Lyceum, Edward Brand
Il marsbal; Manning Library Association
William MoGinley, marshal; Delaware
Council, O. b. L., in command OF Samuel
Quincy and Daniel Mullin; Penn Land
ing Council, O. B. L., of Chester, James
Messick, marshal. The knights OF 81.
Lawrenes we're in command OF William
Ia O'Connor.
The parade WIS one of the larest ever
cen in the city, and the sidewalks along
the line of march were thronged. The
Greatest enthusiasm was evinced by thu
thousands who viewed the very orderly
IN marching OF the various societies. Mucl
oredi' due the chief marshal and hi
4 aids as we'll as the marshsls of the severa
M societies for the skilful handling Of such
~ a large body Of men.
LAYING THE CORNER STONE.
The line began to move at o'clocl
y,nd on arriving at the grounds the bishop
lind clergy took seats upon the platform
tRhere the consolidated Catholic choirs
together with the Revs. DonRghy ant
Timmons, were before them.
Father de Ruyter was director of tbs
choir and soon gave orders for the sing
ing of the "Veni Creator" which wa
given with fine effect, Miss Sarah Donnel
presiding at the organ.
M ~ Next came the sermon by Fathe
tLeeson, who briefly and clearly dwell
lnpon the happy event which was thu
occasion Of such a vast concourse Of peo
tf ole. he dwelt earnestly upon the mean
IN ing of the school and of the Catholic re
IN. lieious education it is to impart. In thu
a tcourse of his remarks he made modes
appeal to those present to aid the bishol