Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-06-07

Attended by a Large Crowd,
Including Nearly All the Catholic
Mems Societies in the City-rhe
Remarks of Bishop Donahue.
The laying Of the corner stone Of
the new ST. Mary's parochial school.
yesterday, was notable event in local
Catholic circles. The ceremonies were
successfully carried out and were wit
messed by several thousand people, in
Guiding all the local Catholic societies.
Among the societies present were the
Parke, Mullen and Benwood divisions
of the A o. H., the Knights OF st.
George, st. Alphonsus Society, Young
Mems Sodality of st. Alphonsus con-
gregation the St Ladilas Polish So
ciety of the Church of the Immaculate
Conception and the Young Mems So
dality of the same church.
The uptown organizations marched
down, headed by the Grand Opera
House band, while the South Wheeling
and Benwood societies had the Lib
erty band. Immediately after the So
cieties had arrived, the procession of
the Bishop and the members of the
clergy started from the episcopal resi-
dence. After Bishop Donahue had
blessed the corner stone it was moved
into place, a box containing copies Of
the Wheeling daily papers, Church
Calendar. list of names Of national and
State officers and Mayor of the city,
coins of various denominations, hav-
ing been previously put in a receptacle
in the stone. The foundation of the
school building has been completed,
and also the walls on each side of the
hallway have been erected to the
height of one story. \ temporary
platform was laid across these walls,
on which stood the clergymen. stand
ard bearers, altar boys and others.
Dressed in his gorgeous clerical
robes. Bishop Donahue delivered
splendid address from this platform to
the several thousand people gathered
around and below The Bishops ad-
dress was exceedingly forceful and at
times elected applause.
The Right Rev. Bishop spoke in part
as follows:
We are assembled here this after
noon. dear friends, TO participate in
ceremony second only in importance
to the dedication of a house of worship
to Almighty God-the laying of the
corner stone of a school devoted TO the
great cause of Christian education. In
deed the proximity Of this building to
the Immaculate Conception Church
suggests the closeness Of the relation
between the education Of the young
and the worship of God. The OBJ
iect of Christian schoo, is a contin-
nation of the church's work, or rather
a novitiate for that work. In both the
worship of the Supreme Being is the
uppermost thought, the principle OF all
life and activity.
We are gathered here to-day to lay
this corner stone, not in any spirit OF
hostility to our fellow citizens, but in
obedience TO the dictates of our own
copsciences. 1t is a basic principle OF
our holy faith that all education de-
serving the name must be founded on
religion. 1t is not for me to decry or
attempt to Gepreciate the schools OF
this region. am one Of the first TO
admit their excellence as far as they
pretend to go. Neither shall l attempt
to belittle the public school teachers OF
this city of ours. I am personally ac-
ouainted with some of them, and know
them TO be devoted to their work. Our
sole objection is to the system. and this
even is a negative objection, which here
we shall endeavor to obviate. In this
fair building religion will be the basis
as surely as these sold granite blocks
will constitute the stable and lasting
foundation Of the material building.
Here devoted Sisters, bound for life to
the teachers's self sacrifice, and not till
some one shall seek their hands in
marriage. will instruct the little ones of
this parish in the truths of their holy
faith. They will educate the little
ones in the full. and broad, and literal,
and only logical sense of that word by
drawing out and perfecting their moral
as vel as their intellectual beings.
They have given their whole lives to
the work: and however meanly some
Of my auditors may think Of them this
is known perfectly by those acquainted
with their lives and aims.
This ceremony may be regarded by I
some u1thinking and foolish men as
constructive act of treason to the re-
public. Well, we cannot help that;
YOU may do as you please, but | am not
one of those in the habit of apologize
ing for my own existence and begging
federation and indulgence for my relig-