The times., 1898-05-23
Preached a sermon to the Prisoners

(From the Atlanta ConstitHion)
The Spanish prisoners of war, now con-
fined at Fort Mcpherson, attended the
celebration of the sacrifice of the mass
yesterday morning, and listened to a SER
mon on peace from the lips of an Ameri-
can priest.
This scene, in which temporal matters
were for the day forgotten. and the high
code of Christian ethics prevailed. Illus
trated that coming time when the cross
and not the sword will be the sign by
which nations will settle their difficulties.
Early in the week the question began
20 be manifest as to what should be done
for these strangers in our midst on Sun
day. It was felt that they should be Civ
en- some evidence of the presence OF the
day of peace. Several clergymen indicat-
ed their Willingness TO call upon the
Spaniards. and there were prominent
Christian workers, both male and female
who felt that it would be good thing to
aid the prisoners in the observance of the
Iord's dav.. When the matter was
brought to the attention of the COM
mandant at the fort, he very shortly dis
missed it by the declaration that his in
structions from the Secretary OF War
were that no one should nave access to
the men IN MS keeping. III IdCl tIlS Soio-
mel intimated that these men had as yet.
indicated no desire for any such call.
on Saturday night about o'clock Rev.
Fa ather Bazin. of the Church of the I'm
maculate Conception of this city, was
called tIp by telephone from the barracks
and was informed that the Spaniards de-
sired his presence on Sunday morning
| Knowing of the inhibition which had been
nIaeed upon these people, Father BaZin
asked about it and was informed that ne
would be welcome, as full instructions
had been received from the proper quar-
ters to that effect.
II was but shortly after sunrise yes
terday morning when Father Bazin pro-
ceeded to the fort, where the officers met
| him with every mark of consideration
and pointed out the place wherein the
| ceremony was to take place There ne
| found assembled his Spanish co-reigion-
| ists who gave to him that mark of re-
| spect which is always accorded men or
| his cloth in old CASTLE. a difficulty soon
| presented itself Father Bazin does not
| sneak Spanish None of the prisoners
| could speak anything else except Col.
| Cortiliii. the brother-in-law of Col. Wey-
! Ter. He could speak French, however,
] and so could Father Bazin. The eelebra-
| ton of mass being in Latin, was common
to all. but the delivery of the sermon
/ Was the subject about which the diff
| Guilty arose. Father BaZin found his
! way out of the difficulty by delivering
| his sermon in the French tongue ad-
| dressed TO Col. Cortiliji in person, that
gentleman having agreed to translate ii
| in turn to his countrymen. This arrange
ment being reached, the services were
1 gone through with in a heartfelt manner
| 1t was curious to watch. the expression
! of the auditors while they listened to the
~. Il. rrra II
| but which was to be made plain to them
| later on through their proxy.
/ In his sermon Father Bazin declared
| that as this was the season in which
| the Catholic Church celebrated the resur
rection, that subject furnished the bes
text for the consideration Of people PLACED
as they were. Christ died and wa