Omaha daily bee., 1891-09-21
AN IMPRESSIVE SERVICE.
Citizens Of Buffalo Treated to a Most I'M
usual Display.
VIVID SCENES OF RELIGIOUS SpLENDoR.
Imposing Rites Observed at the Dodi-
cation of the New German
American Church of tho
seven Colors.

BUFFALO, n. V, Sept. 20.-An astonishing
revelation of German solidarity and strength
oil numbers was furnished hero today. APP
parently IT was arranged as n fitting fore
runner of the great congress OF German
American Catholics which begins proceed
ings tomorrow Tho announcement had
been made locally that a new Catholic
church was to be dedicated, but little or
nothing appeared beforehand to indicate an
affair of magnitude or of novel significance.
To the visitor IN the city or the residents
of other quarters attracted in that direction,
the scene presented in passing out of Genesee
street and adjoining thoroughfnros was con-
stanty one of increasing surprise. Almost
from the corner of Main street the long route
to the new church was filled nearly oxclu.
sively with faces of unmistakublc Ieutonic
aspect. For a straight mile and half and
beyond German names alone peoped down
from the hundreds of business signs
and inquiries couched III tho lam
guage of the fatherland were invariably
the readiest answered, even by the children
in tho throng. In either direction, for DIS.
tances of many blocks, the buildings scarcely
without exception were gaily draped with
flags aud iluttering streamers of the kaiser's
red, white and black, the papal coors of
brilliant white and yellow, and also the stars
and stripes
Imposing Array of Catholic knights.
The cdifce to be dedicated was found to bo
that of distinctvely German. American
parish, the church of the Seven Colors 1t is
a huge Stone structure towering massive
and battlemented, reminding the beholder OF
medieval fortress. Around the
church forming u flashing circle
of polished steel, stood an imposing
army of dark uniformed Catholic knights,
with drawn swords at present arms. Upand
down the streets, hemmed in by crowds of
eager spectators, could be seen rank after
rank OF bright, tinsel-sashed sodalities bear
ing aloft banners inscribed with gilded let
ters, chiefly in Latin or German.
The chief parsonage in the spectacle was
strangely in contrast with the multitude
about him, man of marked Celtic physiog-
nomy, Rt. Rev. Bishop Ryan. the admins
traitor of this Catholic diocese. Seem
ingly unconscious of the peculiar
intent upon his sacred functions,
slowly paced the circuit of the churchs ex-
terror, blessing the stones to the services of
the Almighty. The task ended, he disap-
peared from view and the remarkably Ger
man character of the whole scene was inten- -
sified more strongly than ever.
Within the church, into which the eager
thousands now poured. there appeared with
in the sanctuary as celebraut of the mass
this time German American prelate, Rt.
Rev Bishop Zardetti of st. Cloud Mimi,
and the immense mass of people bowed and
genuficcted and knelt, while perfumed clouds
from golden censors obscured the scarlet
background of the altar and tho high vaulted
arches trilled with the alleliahus of the mag
niticcnt German choir
Then there stepped into the pulpit in
snowy surplice and stole ana black beretta, a
quaint little specialized figure rs if the image
of an antique wood carved saint from his
pedestal in some old Rhcnish cathedral and
the Intent multitude wholly in
German.
Father Van Rossum's EIoquence.
1t was Father Van Rossum, one of tho fac
llty in the great German American Caniseus
college, few squares distant. He spoke
with great earnestness and hundreds OF leu
tonic matrous with shawls over heads and
babes in arms, little maidens with tiaxen
braids, brawny workingmen with hair cut
in the back gripping tightly the
hands of youthful presentments of themselves
all hung from the preachers words as IL
jheir lives depended upon catching every
syllable. Here and there au individual sud-
ienly, white faced and dripping with perspi-
'ation, would emerge from the crush, but the
place was quickly filled by others undeterred
)y heat or Fatigue, for all were standing.
The theme of the preachers discourse was
The Sacredness of the Church Of God and
What Was Connected Herewith" Mean
while thousands outside waited patient as
The most solemn moment of the
the elevation of the host was an
bounced to them in startling manner, u
heavy cannonading being substituted for tho
usual tinkle of bell.
All in all the demonstration was of char
acter possibly never before witnessed III
America and elicits much comment Much
curiosity Is expressed as to the number or
bishops who will attend
he meeting OF the German union and thus
avow themselves in opposition to
heir fellow prelates. The promoters of the
congress count upon the presence of SIX to
,ight wearers of the purple and 300 or more -
priests, besides estimating that 10000 strang-
RS in Buffalo tomorrow night v'ill witness
orchlipht parade of another 10000 uniformed
ay adherents of the Clerical union or
'Priesten veren," the conclave of which is
o he the center of interest.
-s
AS soon as you discover any falling of the
air or grayness always use Halls Hair Re
ever to tone up the secretions and prevent