The San Francisco call., 1897-01-01
THE CATHEDRAL
ON NEW YEARS EYE
Archbishop Riordan Speaks
to His People in Elo-
quent Strain.
He Gives Words of Good Advice
and Points Out the Way
of Life.
The Congregation Sings in English
the Beaut full Hymn, 80
Holy God!'

For the second time in San Francisco
the congregation of st. Mary's Cathedral
blended their voices in singing last even
ing. A year ago the first attempt at con-
gregational singing was made after the
sundown of the ola year. but the chant on
that occasion was timid and lacked the
spirit and feeling which made the effect OF
last nights hymn exceedingly impressive.
The whole congre CATION joined i'll the "Te
Deum," in English, 80. Holy Godl" and
the hymn was sung in English as follows:
Holy God, we praise thy namei
Lord of all, we bow before theei
ALI on earth thy scepter claim,
| All in heaven above adore thee;
Infinite thy vast domain,
Everlasting Is thy name.
| Hark! the loud celestial hymn,
Angel choirs above singing
Cherubm and seraphim
In unceasing chorus praising,
Fill the heavens with sweet accord,
Holy, hoy holy Lord.
Holy Father holy Son,
Holy Spirit, three we name thee
While in essence only one.
Undivided God we claim thee
And adorfng bend the knee
While we own tn mystery.
The services were commemorative of
New Years eve, when thanksgiyings are
offered for The graces and benefits of the
year and good resolves are formed for the
coming one. st. Mary's Cathedral was
crowded in every part. Christmas decora-
tions OF palms and masses of evergreen
with punches of the scarlet glory pea
grouped about the magnificent white
marble altar still graced the sanctuary,
which, was dazzling in its brillianey.
Thousands of lights in candelabra lent
their luster to the peculiar beauty of the
| scene, and the whole interior was glori-
ously illuminated.
Solemn vespers began at 7:30 P. N. They
were chanted by the Rev. Father Ramm.
Handels Pastoral Symphony was given
as prelude by Professor Harrison on the
grand organ, and then the psalms were
sung to Gregorian chant. Alloys Werner
sang Adams Noel" as tenor solo, The
psalms were rendered by the cathedral
chorus under the direction of Rev. Jerome
B. Hannlgan.
Archbishop Riordan delivered a beauti-
| full sermon bearing especially on the
going and coming of the years. His
| Grace's address partook more of the ma
ture of advice and exhortation to his flock
than it was sermonlike. His words Were
directed to the hearts of his people, and
so fittingly that they reached every one.
! He saio that when the old year is about
to close and the new one is at hand it is
well for all to look back over the past year
and see if lesson can be gathered from
| its diversified days. a deep lesson would
be found therein if people would taKe it TO
heart, and here the Arch bishop presented
a very happy and striking simile of man
being cast in loom anu mans heart
as a shuttle. AS it moves TO and fro
through the loom the heart picks up
sometimes darkness, sometimes bright
ness.
And out of mems dark days and bright
days Almighty God is weaving garment
of beauty tit to adorn the walls of the
celestial home.
The Apostle Paul says all things work
to the good of man. He looks over human
they are all useful, all have a certain
value. Are they valuable to all people
No. He does not say that all things are
good for all men. Nothing has any abso-
lutte value, things are only a means to
something that is good, and all depends
on the use made of them. st. Paul means
good that endures; the good that affects
souls, and which men shall carry with
them into eternity, the goodness OF God
as reflected in human life.
In human things as in divine, love is
the prime force OF our natures. Ii man
loves the noble and the good he is moving
in the direction of what is noble and
good. "Show me what a man loves"
said his Grace, 'and will tell you what
ne Is. UnleSS we nave love III our nearts.
unless it penetrates our natures, it is not
of the kind that would save our souls"
The Archb bishop told his hearers that In
the brief time still remaing of the old
year enough pure repentance could be
thrown into it to atone for deeds of the
past. To Christian people, the closing
moments OF the year come with q solemn
pathos. It was well at this time to ask
how the year was spent.
On looking back too little of the spirit
ual will be found, and our faith has been