The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-09-28

Is the basis OF all that our senses perceive,
and through which our mind knows, and
our heart enjoys, and the whole man Is
upliftcd to his Maker.
Now the Catholic church Is the spokes-
man before God Of oil creation, and there.
fore she has the duty and the right to
honor God In the name Of matter no less
than in the name Of the Incompatible
soul of man. Then again, In the Chris
tian view of the world of being, all things
created tend by the law of progress to
final perfection, which is obtained when
thoy render God the highest possible praise
according to the laws of their being.
1t Is through the symbolism Of the church
that matter reaches this perfection, for II
Is owing to hor ceremoni, S and their de-
mands that tho fine arts, tho highest OK.
preston OF matter, have been preserved
and devoloped-those splendid creations
of human skill which are only less beauti-
full than the painting OF the skies and hills
the sculpture of tho continents, the music
Of the ocean, and that vaster harmony OF
the motion Of worlds innumerable, as they
roll with order and precision, through the
intricate grooves that the Divine Hand cut
out for them from the beginning
No! There Is no materialism in these
symbolic ceremonies, nor Is there any ig'
noranco in tho mind OF her who fashions
them as tho public expressions of love,
gratitude and alteration, Through these
ceremonies spiritual lessons are forever
inculcatcd, and through them barbarian
peoples were first withdrawn from their
coarse naturalism and led over easy
bridges, up to the altar of Christ and the
throne Of God There is no ignorance
and no intention Of deceit in the mind Of
the church which uses these ceremonies
On tho con trary what wonderful dig.
nifty and majesty they posscss What q
sweet reaspnableness!
After reviewing the use of the bell in
Older countries and its use at weddings,
deaths and other services and when it Is
forbidden to ring 1t. Dr. Shahan described
the form of blessing aud said: This bell
signifies the Word Of God. Like the latter
1t is placed high above all human dis.
tnction5 and divisions, and typilics that
celestial unity which ought TO reign
among all men as the result of one divine
infalllble voice.
The anGicnts symbolized fame as god
dess blowing from IL high pinnacle through
u hundred trumpets TO all parts of tho
world This bell signifies the Word Of
God that scatterS broadcast over all ages
and places tho glory of the Creator, thro'
His chosen lnouthpiece, tho Catholic
church.
The Word Of God May it increase in
the hearts Of men, sweet and powerful
germ that it is of great resolves and great
actions! May it be preached, not only
from the affairs and pulpits, but from the
roof tops and steeples, above all, in tho
daily lives Of men and women who profess
with their lips to accept Its sweet yokc
May it go forth once more, in an iron age
and suffering generation, to awaken
that spirit Of faith in which the nations
once did such great deeds!
May it awaken again a splendid concert
of private and collective effort and abDl.
ish all disrorl and FIJI tho souls of men
with harmony, and inaugurute over the
whole earth the reign OF The King OF
Heaven and the Prince of Peucel 10
whom be honor and glory Cor ever and
ever. Amen