The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1893-12-02
THANKSGIVING SERVICE AT THE
CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Prrsiden, of the United States for a
universal Thanksgiving TO God for his
beneficens gifts aud graces, witnessed
an impressive service al the Catholic
Church Of this place.
Special invitations were extended TO
The State, parish aud town officials, as
also 10 The military company and the
Confederate Veterans. All responded
| in body, except the veterans, who
sent Col. j. c. Bass as their representa-
tive.
The church was thronged long be-
fore the hour of service with eager
listeners and adorers. The altar was
lavishly and artisiically decorated.
with roses of various tints and colors,
and beautifully lighted with wax
tapers aud candles.
As soon as the last bell rang. a
march struck up on the organ, and
Company 0of the Louisiana Battalion
marched in, arrayed in full uniform.
and occupied the seats reserved for
them on the inside of the railing.
Father Mahe's sermon was impress
eive, patriotic and eloquent, character
lied by well gathered comparisons aud
appropriate SMILES, always pleasant
in his advocacy of the Catholic rights
and vehement in his love for liberty
and country. He began by telling
that we were united that evening TO
comply with the request OF the Presi-
dent of the United States and Of the
Governor of this State TO give thanks
ITO God for the blessings bestowed on
this country; and having shown the
duties of Thanksgiving from the Holy
Scriptures, he proceeded to tell why
he had especially invited US TO the
Catholic Church: Was not Columbus
a Catholic? We're not his sailorsC Cat o-
| lie? Was not the first act of worship in
this country Catholic prayer? We're
not freedom Of conscience and relig-
/ ious liberty established by a Catholic,
Lord Calvert of Baltimore ? The
Catholics therefore having the RICH!
of precedence and being foremost
everywhere, why should he not invite
us To join in?
| The subject of his discourse consist
ell in proving how thankful we ought
to be TO God far the religious freedom
and political liberty we enjoy here and
also for exemption from military
service. He went on to prove that
contrasied with other governments,
ours was the grandesl and The ireesi of
them all that The proof Of il was thai
the prosecuted and exiles OF all lands.
sought a refuge here, ana all, jew and
Gentle, Protestant aud Catholic, were
free here TO worship God as they
pleased. But il was not always thus,
and he quoted good many of the
penal laws of Germany, Switzerland,
and finally many Of our own colonial
blue laws. That part of his OBSCURE
was extremely interesting and even
amusing, aud he concluded il by asking
all to thank God that they lived no
longer under snch severe regime.
The second part of his discourse
consisted in showing that we should
esteem ourselves happy that we were
exempt from military duty. He de-
| plored tlIe sad necessity tint forced
European nations TO keep up large
standing armies; thaf!thoush armies
were necessary, yet in time of peace,
every one should not be soldier. In
Europe, however, every one must be.
lie reviewed rapidly tho military SER
vice system of Europe, aud dwelled on
the slavery that attends it. There, a
soldier has no will of his own. He
gave forcible illustration of young
| man In France, couri-martialed for a
small offence committed even after
having served his time; and be con-
Guided in begging the young men
present to thank God that they were
not subject TO such slavery.
His discourse ended by an eloquent
prayer and the recitation of the Lords
prayer, during which the assistants
stood, with bowed heads.
The music of the evening was
especially fine. A grand march was
played on The pipe organ by Miss J.
Wnkowski, and the fine choir rend-
cred several exquisite choruses, under
the leadership Mrs. j. E. Ransdell.
Company G. made magnificent
appearance in their new uniforms,
they marched on like old soldiers with
seven step and slow" and their bear.
ing and department was excellent.
We left the church prouder than
ever to being an American citizen, and
the general impression was that IN
doing his duly. everybody had spent q
delightful evening.