The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-03-30
at the Cathedral

Pontiical high mass was celebrated at
the Cathedral of st. John the Baptist at
1890 O'Clock by Bishop Becker. The music
was according to the programme published
in yesterdays MORNING News, and was
rendered in fine style by a choir Of seven
teen voices. Prof. Leo w. Mehrtens pre-
sided at the organ. The affairs, with their
decorations of cedars, palms and flowers,
relieved by innumerable- lighted candles,
presented a pretty picture. The church was
filed almost to its sitting aud standing
capacity.
The sermon was preached by Rev. Clar-
eace e. WOodman Of the order of st. Paul
of New York, and was one of the most
brilliant perorations ever heard in the
cathedral. Fer half an hour the young
clergyman held his auditors spell bound
with his mastery eloqusnoe, and it was
with regret that they saw him leave the pull
pit. Father Woodman took his text from ST.
Mark xvi, 6: You seek Jesus of Nazar-
eth who was cruciied. He is risen; he is
not here"
This utterance Of the angels of the resur-
rection,n said Father Woodman, sis the key
note of the Easter festival, and the sure
foundation of our hope as christians The
pagan world lived in craven fear of death;
not so much, perhaps, OF the agony of death
as Of its mystery. How could it be other
wise! They knew no hereafter-no world
beyond the grave. What would our life be
without trust in thatl 1t is we'll symbol
lied by the famous Vision of Mirzah' in
Addison's Spectator. That vision of a
bridge of three score and ten arches span,
ing the waters of a prodigious tide
Through the innumerable trap-doors of
this bridge Of human life the wayfarers
were seen to drop one by one and to be
swept away by the remorseless tide. How
is man made in vain exclaims the spscta-
tor. How is he given up to misery and
mortality-tortured in life and swallowed
up in deathr
''Such would our life be without hope in
a resurrection. Our faith declares itself
IN the closing words of the Credo:
'E,cSpecto reSurrectionenl moratorium et
oitum UentWri sgcHIi.' I look for the
resurrection Of the dead and the life of the
world to come
death and sin rule no longer. Christ has
conquered them-trampled them under his
fest. We shall live hereafter with the same
bodies aud the same souls. 'Christ being
risen from the dead dieth no more: death
hath no more dominion over him. His
resurrection is for US absolute assurance
that we too shall rise again. Nothing short
of this can be proof positive. But his empty
tomb to-day tells us in accents unmistakabie
that our beloved dead shall live. From
every side the trumpet of Judgment shall
summon that mighty host. The land and
sea shall give up their dead. All shall be
delivered from the icy hand of death. Let
this thought brighten our earthly life. let il
make us brave and happy. The truths of
our christian faith of all others most glori-
Gus are those commemorated to-day-the
resurrection of the body, the immortality
OF the soul y
rather Woo1man is a convert to catho-
hcity from the Episcopal denomination, hav-
ing Joined the church in 1874, after studying
Tor year In the general theological semi
nary of the Protestant Episcopal church In
New York city. On embracing the doctrines
OF the Roman church he connected himself
with the congregation OF St. Paul He is
one of the most noted aud eloquent orators
In the church in the United States. and on
high festivals he is frequently invited to
preach in ST. Patrick's cathedral in New
York city. He is great student of phys
lcai science, and the honorary degree of
A. NJ. was conferred on him in 1877 hy
Amherst College. and that of Pm. ID. by
Manhattan College in 1888.
Nespers were sung at O'clock in the
afternoon. Bishop Becker officiated The
church was almost as crowded as at the
high mass.
The Easter decorations in the Cathedral
basement far surpass anything of similar
character. The three affairs are beautifully
decorated with natural flowers, and the
walls festooued with SPRAYS of ivy and
sniiax. A few PAGES in advance Of the
man altar Is a magnificent representation
OF the tomb and the risen Christ sur1n unit
log 1t. The effect is wonderfully realistic.
Rev. w. A. Mccarthy designed the repre-
sentatlon and decorations, and they sneak
admirably for his taste and Judgment. The
basement will be kept open every day in the
week to give the public an opportunity of
viewing the affair.