The Press., 1892-05-12

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic cathedral
 in Hartford was dedicated and consecrat-
 ed last Sunday in the presence of vast
 assembly, and with the assistance of the
 largest number of archbishops, bishops,
 monsignors and priests of the church ever
 gathered together in New England. It
 was Bishop McMahon's privilege to witt
 ness the consummation of the great work
 begun 20 years ago by Bishop McF Farland,
 who died in office two years later, and
 continued by Bishop Gallery until his death in 1878. The services began Sat-
 urday evening with the solemn consecra-
 tion of the sacred relics of St. Colum-
 banus and St. Felix, for St. Joseph's al
 tar, the high sanctuary of the cathedrai ,
 and relics of other saints for each of the
 five other altars in the cathedral. These
 are the altars of the Blessed Sacrament,
 and St. Bernard's, St. Bridget's, St. Pat
 rick's and St. Francis altars. The relics
 were placed on a consecrated catafalque
 with appropriate services and closely
 guarded all night. Included with the
 relics placed in St. Joseph's alter was a
 parchment writing commemorating the
 event of the conservation of the cathedral
 signed by Bishop McMahon. During the
 evening the priests of the cathedral re-
 cited matins and lauds in honor of these saints. The ceremony of consecrating the cathedral and the six altars was per- formed at o'clock Sunday morning.
 These altars are all works of art, the high altar of St. Joseph alone costing over
 12,0O0. Some of them are the gifts of
 priests, societies and individuals belong ing to the diocese. Preceding the cere-
 mony, Bishop MeMahon with the attend ing clergy proceeded to the sacristy, blessed the sacred raiments, and headed a procession of priests, who made the cir cult of the cathedral three times, sprink- ling the holy water on the walls. A sim liar process was repeated on the inside of the cathedral with all the impressiveness of religious veneration. During the cere- monies the priests played and chanted and the choir sang and ..intoned prayers. At 10.30 there was solemn pontificial high mass oelebratedby Archbishop Williams of Boston. The cathedral was crowded to the doors with about 5000 people,
 Hundreds were turned away and many remained to witness the procession of priests which left the Episcopal residence and entered the church, about 250 in all. The beautiful interior of the cathedral presented most animated seenc.- >, The many priests in their gorgeous vestments, deacons, acolytes and attendants com pletely filled the space inside the altar rail while the ceremonies were in progress. The music was by a quartet from New York, 8 trained chorus of 100 voices, the organ and St. Cecelia's orchestra of New York. The sermon was by Archbishop elect John J. Hennessey of Dubuque, Ia. He preached from Corinthians, iii 23 :. "All things are yours, you are Christ's, and Christ is Gods" After elaborating his text Bishop Hennessey said during the past 100 years the increase in the membership of the Catholic church had been at the rate of 75 per cent. each decade, that of the nations not exceeding 32. The growth of the church compared with that of the nation just closed has been as 1S to i. In the nation 4,0OO, ,OOO have become 5000, ,0O0; in the church A0.060 have gl own to 10,000,000. If the experience of 100 years indicate a law, if the rule of growth in church and state during the last century should continue few decades longer, then in 1880 nearly half the population would be Catholic. The speaker reviewed the history Of Ire land when it was the center of learning in Europe, and in conclusion said: "I love to regard this noble record of the land, of. my nativity as but the introductory chap-' ter to the volume of noble deeds to be done for God in the fullness of time by the land of Saint Brendan, the great Ire. land of the west" In the afternoon Bruno; Oscar Klein of New York gave an organ, recital with solos by Mrs. Burch, Mrs.
 Lettei and Albert Lettei. In the evening, the cathedral was brilliantly illuminated! fel the pontifieial yesper service. The. celebrant was Archbishop Corrigan of New York, who was assisted by Mgr. John Farley of New fork and nine priests. The sermon was preached by Bishop, Heaiy Of Portland, Me. The vesper ser-' vice closed the conservation ceremonies, but many in-the large crowd fingered to gaze upon the brilliant effects of the daz- zling interior of the cathedral as lighted up. '
 AT the annual convocation of the Royal Arch Masons of Connecticut, held at Hartford on Tuesday, Henry H. Green, of Danielsonyille, was chosen c. H. P.,isI and the usual order of advancement of officers observed. Harvey s.. Abel, of Stafford Springs. was chosen 0. NJ. 2d V. ,,.,