The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-03-18
TIE MILITARY MASS.

A Solemn and Interesting Ceremony
at the Cathedral of ct John.
The military mass at the cathedral in
honor Of the Irish Jasper Green's semi-cen-
tennisI. attracted an immense congregation
DESPITE the fact that the rain was pouring
10 torrents at the hour set for the ceremony.
Hundreds Of non-Catholics we're present.
Gen. jackson, the Green's second captain,
and Gen. Lawton occupied prominent seats
In the main aisle during the service. The
Greens, seventy-fiye strong, wearing over
coats, glazed caps and leggins, marched
from their armory 70 the cathedral during
the heaviest part Of the rain. Marching up
the main aisle by twos they formed com"
pany inen outside the sanctuary railing,
with Capt Flannery and Meuts, mcGrath
and Gleason in front inside the railing.
The colors, a large Georgia state flag,
were placed at the center entrance 60 the
altar and the Regimental band took pO-
sition at the head OF the main aisle.
The ceremony then began. Every altar
was brightly lighted, but the high
altar presented a dazzling picture with its
decorations OF plants and cedar and its
many lighted wax candles. Rev. W. A.
Mccarthy was oslebrant of the mass, with
Vicar General CaffertY as deacon and Rev.
John Mccarthy as subdeacon. Fifty AGO.
lytes served the mass.
UNEXCKLLED MUSIC.
The music was the finest ever heard in
the cathedral, and Prof. Hubner, the leader
of the choir, and Prof. Leo Mehrtens, the
organist, can well be proud Of their achieve
ment IN training the large body TO render
the difficult music, which was Weber's mass
in G, so perfectly. CObb's orchestra, &C.
oompanied the choir and added much to the
brillianoy Of this part Of the masa
The choir consisted OF Mrs. Altick, Mrs.
Silva, Mrs Bailey, Mrs. Reilly, Mrs
Crohan, Mrs. McCarter, Miss Mamie Nolan,
Miss Florence Colding and Miss ARRie
OBrien, Rev. William Mayer and Messrs.
Daniels, Duggan, Donovan, Price, Morris
sey and Gross
The special features were the GET incar-
natus est" by Miss Nolan, the Ave Maria"
by Mrs. Altlck, the "Cretoris" by Mr..
Donovan and the "Benedictus" by a quar-
tette consisting of Mrs. Reilly and Miss
Nolan and MesSrs. Donovan and Duggan.
The interesting feature of the mass, how
ever, to moss Of the spectators was
the part the military took. During the gospel,
the GLORIA in Excelsis." the "Credo"
and the last gospel. and while the congre-
cation stood the Greens carried arms" at
the "Et lncarnatus est, at the elevation of
the host and challcs and the "Domine non
sum dignus" the soldiers presented arms.
After coming TO the present" at the eleva-
tion the soldiers dropped on one knee while
the bass drum was rolled in unison with
abe tinkling silver bells Of the altar aud
the colors were dropped. During the offer
tory the incense bearer incensed the officers,
the colors and the troops after incensing the
priests.
FATHER CAFFERTY's SERMON.
The scene was solemn one, not soon TO be
Nr-v, 49, ~
General Cafferty preached the sermon. 1t
was an eloquent effort and occupied half an
hour fn delivery. Here was one Of the
speakers tributes TO Ireland:
"Ireland-where is there a nation or a
people under the sun to-day that has not
heard of the faith of her peoplel Wherever
he wanders the exile from Erin
goes-there is one treasure he always car
ries with him. He may not be possessed Of
much of the mammon Of the world, but
there is one prize, one jewel to be found
wherever he is found-hts Catholic faith"
A tribute was paid 20 the fortitude and
bravery and uuselfishness of the Irish mani
Tested in the fact that wherever they are
located they speedily erect churches bear
Jog the cross, sign OF the church and Of the
plan of redemption.
In concluding his sermon Vicar General
Cafferty referred to the appearance OF the
soldiers at the mass as follows:
I'VE are met here to celebrate another
event. You see here an unusual sight-a
military body assisting In the divine sacri-
Zee of the mass. After the love Of God
comes the love Of country. The love of
country is only second TO the love of God.
The soldier or citizen who Is faithful to
his God cannot be faithless to his country.
We have here a military company cele-
hrating the semi-centennial Of its organiza-
ton. This is not the time nor the place to
recount its deeds, but / will say this: that
during the divine sacrament of the mass we
offer up thanks for the divine blessing con-
ferred upon this command in the past, aud
pray that its future may be even more
brilliant; that it may Ibe the pride Of ;this
city and state and country, and its members
an honor to themselves and it. If q soldier
draws his sword Ia defense of truth and JUS
tice and liberty be becomes hero. IL the
bugle calls you to unshesth your swords
you will have she blessing Of the church aud
the approval Of the god Of battle. Having
this you will be courageous and fearless"
With a peroration on the deeds of the
Greens and their past bright, glorious his
tory, with the hope that their future might
be as bright, Vicar General Cafferty closed
the sermon, which was one of his best
sfforts
TIE PARADE.