The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-06-01

1hey were very interesting and were
witnessed by several thousand persons,
massed in William street in front Of
st. Mary's place. 1t derives the name
from the statue which is located be-
tween Holy Rosary church and the
residence of Rev. N. j. MeManus, the
pastor.
At 7.2O o'clock a procession Of the
children who participated in the cere'
monies, made its appearance in its pas
sage from the school, where ii
formed, to the statue. In the lead was
Master Frank Bell, bearing a tray car
rying the wreath of May flowers to
crown the statue. At his side was lit.
tie Mamie Sullivan, daughter Of Doc
Tor j. j. Sullivan. who was selected to
place the crown upon the Virgins
head,
Then came in columns of twos, boys
in knickerbockeis and white waists to
the number OF 100, mRrshalled by a
corps Of fourteen boys, attired in pink
waists. On the right breast Of each
marshal waS a red cross and on his head
a turban Of light colored fabric, SINH
lar to those worn by the crusaders.
Following in one continuous process
sion were over 800 girls, dressed In
white with black sashes, their ages
ranging from 7 to 16 years.
GROUPING THE CHILDREN.
The procession marched by the statue
along the walks Of the spacious grounds
and countermarched, the girls forming
around the statue in circular tiers and
the boys occupying the main walk
from the street to the statue in single
file.
In the rear an organ was placed to
accompany the children in hymn sing.
ing. and around it were gathered the
members Of the Blessed Virgins and
Angels sodalities and the members of
the church TO assist in the singing.
Miss Annie Bell was organist.
The combined chorus of the members
Of the sodalites, the choir, aud the
children, forming n great choir of
five hundred voices, at precisely 1880
began the chanting of the Litany of
Loretto.
1t would be difficult to imagine a
more inspiring scene than the one pre-
sented, as the swelling Of the notes Of
the anthem rung forth on the cool
evening air. The spectators swayed in
unison with the rising and falling Of
the mighty chorus.
After the last note Of tile Litany
faded away. the boys and girls in turn
rendered dialogues appropriate to the
occasion. Prior to the act of browning
the statute, a tableau representing the
last night of a dying martyr was pro.
dueed. It was to portray the agonies
of a dying soul, haunted by evil spirits
and the salutary and speedily effica-
cious result when the soul, beset by
demons, invoked the intercession OF
Mary.
THE TABLEAU DESCRIBED.
On q dais set against the wall of the
church some distance from the statue,
the tableau was given. Standing in
center Of the platform, costumed to
represent a decrepit priest, who in his
last night on earth was Supplicating
God to have mercy upon him. was
Master John Moran. Stephen Gavin,
also attired as u priest, sat asleep in q
chair worn out with attendance upon
his dying colleague.
Taking advantage Of his companions
slumber, the aged martyr, tormentsd
by evil spirits. arose from his bed and
begged God to spare him the terrible
temptations. His prayer apparently
was refused. and at that moment APP
peared around him seven demons to
augment his misery and inveigle him
from the right path.
The visit Of the spirits Of darkness
had nearly accomplished the purpose of
making the martyr despair, when O
ray of hope CLEANED upon his mind and
he awoke his sleeping companion, who
urged him to renewed prayer.
Both kneeled and the spirits disap.
peared; in their place when the prayer
was finished. stood ten angels, who
succorsd them with words Of cheer.
Then a deep silence fell upon the en-
tire assemblage, broken by the low
tones of the Ave Maria from behind
the statue. The music Of the hymn
deepsned until 1T reached the pitch in
which the litany was sung. The mar
tyr's struggle was over and the angels
carried his soul to heaven.
Tue work of those taking part in the
tableau, although all of them are young.
was finished. The sisters desarye
congratulations for the capable result
of their training.
GROWING OF THE STATUE.
A ladder was hoisted to the top of
the statue and Miss Sullivan assisted
In climbing to the summit where she
placed the wreath Of May flowers.
The pastor, Rev. Father McManus,
then addressed the people. He re-
fsrred in praiseworthy language to tho
work Of the children and then drifted
in his discourse to the meaning OF the
ceremony.
He said that as Americans we Just
celebrated the browning Of the graves
OF our patriotic dead; on the Fourth of
July we do honor to our Revolutionary
forerathers, and when we adorn Wash.
ington's statue we draw inspiration
that fits us to meet any requirement of
self sacrifice in our devotion to our
country's welfare. All Christians be-
Lave In the Mother of GOD, and moth
ing a be too good that is
meant to honor her. 1t is by no means
idolatry no more than is the decoration
OF soldiers graves or the tributes paid
to the memory of Washington.
The united chorus sang the TIE Deum.
and the evening ceremonies were con.
Guided. The grounds were brilliantly
illuminated with lights of variegated
color.
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