Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-05-12

New York, May S.-A dozen or more
crutches, well worn at the heel from long
years OF humping on the sidewalks of the
city, and worn, too, where hands had
grAsped the wooden crossbars. stood in the
corner Just to the right Of the candle-lit
altar of the little French Catholic Church
OF st. Jean Baptiste in East Seventy-sixth
street yesterday. With them were two
limb frames of iron, the creation of pro-
fessional men learned in orthopedic
surgery.
Lame and MANNED persons had thumped
their way up the middle aisle of the little
church on the crutches, and victims of de-
formity. had hobbled in with the frames
supporting their limbs. Freed as they
said, from their sufferings they had
passed out. Faith, they said, had worked
for them miracles such as were performed
III the long long ago, when miracles were
wrought and few were without faith.
Good Catholics they were. They had kuelt
at the chancel rail before the temporary
shrine, and had devoutly pressed their
lips npon the little golden casket in which
is deposited, according to history authenti-
Gated by the church, fragment OF the
arm OF st, Anne, mother of the Virgin
Mary.
Good old Monsignor MARQUIS. of the
through whose instrumentality the sacred
relic was secured in Rome, knelt inside the
rail and held the crystal-topped casket in
his outstretched hands. He wore the white
robe OF his Office and his silvered head was
bowed in reverence.
The little church was opened soon after
daybreak. group of devout Catholics
were waiting on the steps and sidewalk to
be permitted to bend the knee before the
altar and receive the bcnediction of the
venerable priest. Four masses were said
during the day. The church was crowded
at each service, and the cherished me-
mento was displayed to all who wished to
strengthen their faith or relieve their
bodily or mental ills by touching the
casket Directly in front of the altar were
the letters ~. ii. S." constructed of tin in
heroic, size. Little round cups, Just large
enough to hold the end of small candle,
were fastened closely together in each lei
ter. Each cup held candle. At the side
OF the aged Father Marquis stood tin box
bearing the inscriptions:
Drop 10 cents and light candlen
Long before the noon hour hundreds of
candles were burning brightly, and the
box was filled with coin and bank notes.
The poor who came gave of their limited
means, the wealthy made grander contri-
buttons. AT one time during the afternoon
~ carriages, with coachmen, and in some
instances footmen. in livery, were at the
door, and women in silken gowns were on
pended knees and with hands clasped at
the altar.
Among those who came to the little
church i'll the afternoon and bowed before
the altar in troubled spirit was q Young
woman with pale face and sunken eyes,
whose short breath and hacking cough
told plainly that she was victim of con-
sumption; She spoke a word to the
reverend father and barred her breast, The
relic was placed first upon one side and
then upon the other. Then the woman
pressed it to her heart and her forehead.
and, Kissing 1t, went away. An aged man
was the next conner. His hand trembled
with the palsy of advanced years. He
clasped the sacred casket and kissed it.
and passed out without tremor in his
limbs.
Father Tetreau, pastor of the church, re-
ceived i'll his little office, near the street
entrance, many who had felt the bene-
hcial effect Of contact with the priced relic.
He wore the beretta dalmatica and stole.
He listened with fatherly interest to the
stories, and babe them God-speed as they
went away. He told of some of the cures,
put kept the names a secret within his
heart.
1.-THE crutches at the altar give testimony
OF. works performed for the faithful he
said. "a woman has just left my side
VINO assured me that she had been relieved
of her ills. She had been sore afflicted
ior years. A young man whose limbs
have been racked since his youth knelt at
the altar and found immediate relief.
There have been many conversions to-
day. A woman came here during the
morning, and passing in with the t6rong,
stopped brief moment in front of the
altar. She did not kiss the sacred relic
when it was extended to her. You are
not Catholic | said, but God bless you.'
An hour or so later she returned and knelt
at the altar. She pressed her lips to the
blessed casket, and when | spoke to her as
she was leaving the church she said: i
want to be Catholic now told her to
come to the church again. OF course, we
nave no means of knowing the sincerity OF
purpose of those who come to lis. hut
when before the altar, and surrounded by
deyout Catholics, one makes a statement
we feel and believe it 10 be the honest ex-
preston of q convert"
All during the day, and until the |
shadows of approaching night came, the |
little church was crowded. Catholics who |
have neglected their church in the hurry |
o. business, or for the demands of pleasure, |
knelt with those whose religion is para |
mount. In the history of the little church, |
tucked away as it is between tenements on |
The bewildering East Side, yesterday, it |
was Il day long to be remembered.
The sacred relic will be taken away to
quebec tomorrow. To-day the little
'hurch was open from early morning
until nightiall.