The times., 1899-08-09

erenf wondering Italians made their way
TO OiRourke's stone quarry. half way up
the steep side of the Orange Mountains
in West Orange, n. J.. today to do homage
to q peculiar yellowish spot resembling a
human figure, in the side of the cliff,
which TO the believing is a miraculous
manifestation. Every highway and byway
is thronged with the eager, oppressive null
titude. the major portion Of which is COM
posed of the Italians. although there is a
fair sprinkling of other nationalities.
Hundreds who have seen it declare that
fl bears striking likeness 10 pictures of
ST. Anne the mother of the Virgin Mary,
and not one of the devout hundreds who
made the pilgrimage today could be in
duced TO believe other than that the yellow
spot in the stony cliff was appearance
OF The saint as pictured with the Holy
Child in medallions and sacred paintings.
The manifestation is in the middle of
the west side of the quarry and about fifty
feet up the face of the cliff, which is too
precipitous there to admit Of close in
spection.
From the ground the figure appears to be
about foot in height, OF bright, glitter
ing metal and when seen through a small
glass il bears a strong resemblance TO a
woman. Visitors with strong spyglasses
ticnal figure of 81. Anne is remarkable
The quarry is three miles from Orange
and Is situated in one of the most pic
turesGue spots in the Orange Mountains.
A miles climb UP the Livingston road and
launt of few thousand feet over a
rough, tortuous wood road brings the pill
grim 10 the quarry and its marvellous i'm
age Through an opening between wide
spreading trees appears a vista of noun
a. dru- and .f y n
aspect that the relig.ously inclined mind,
impressed by the environment, gladly ac-
cepts the suggestion that the yellow ish spot
glaring forth in the splendor OF its iso,a-
tion upon the blue surface Of the surround
ing rock is the image of the saint and that
its manifestation is miraculous.
John ORourke, proprietor of the quarry
who is one Of Oranges prominent citizens
was astonished three weeks ago 10 dis
cover the shining figure on the face of the
rocks. He said nothing about il at the
time, thinking that il was probably spot
OF earth washed down from the top of the
cliff. But when il remained for weeks as
bright and sharply defined as at first he
became interested and on Saturday called
the attention OF some OF his workmen 10
the discovery.
They studied ii closely, and then several.
of one accord, dropped upon their knees.
Look! Look" they cried. 1T is the fig
IRE OF the blessed St. Anne."
Instantly medallions Of the saint were
produced by Others and a hasty compari-
son was made then ali the working force
OF Italians bowed il reverence before the
glowing spot.
The news of the discovery Travelled rap
idly among the Italians. From New Jer-
sey IL spread TO New York, and hundreds
from this city hurried across the Hudson
to have look at the figure and 10 kneel
In prayer before IL. Nearly every one of
the pilgrims carried medallions OF st.
Anne suspended from their necks, and they
were convinced beyond peradventure that
the likeness was perfect. That its ap-
pearance was miraculous or a sign from
heaven they we're convinced by the fact
that when the figure was first disclosed
the fail OF rock which brought it to view
nearly buried several of the wolkmen.
They escaped by a very narrow margin.
Therefore. the figure of the saint has
great Significance for them
A few years ago. after several tremen-
dous blasts, a peculiar rock formation was
discovered In the O'Rourke quarry, which
geologists from different parts of the
country came TO study. It was agreed
unanimously by them that the formation
was Of pure basaltic columns differing
only in size from the famous columns
which compose the Giants Causeway be-
tween Ireland and Scotland Judicious
blasting disclosed a cross section OF rocky
columns rising diagonaIly to a common
centre, which the geologists declared to
be nothing more nor less than the crater
Of an extinct volcano. II is 200 feet to the
south OF this crater that the wonderful
figure has appeared.
Viewed from certain distances the yellow
figure shines out bright and strong in the
sunlight like brass or copper, and this re-
fulgency further impresses the observer
with awe and reverence.
Mr.. ORourke viii not allow anyone TO
climb the cliff or be lowered from the top
80 make Close inspection OF the phenom-
enon. He was asked today to allow stairs
and platform to be built so that the figure
could be approached closely, but refused
permission
Many clergymen have become interested
In the reports about the figure, and the
Rev. II. j. Mcdonald, temporarily in
charge OF ST. Johns Church, in West
Orange, VIII go 10 see il today. The quar-
~ is IN the crater OF an extinct volcano.
Arrangements are being made by the
Italians of New Yerk to carry their lame
and sick over 20 the quarry, that they may
pray before the beautiful image and find
suFcease Of pain and affiiction. Six years
ago at the little French Canadian Church
OF Ste. Jean Baptiste. IN East Seventy
sixth Street, piece Of the wrist bone of
tt Anne was exposed for five or six weeks
On the altar. Tens Of thousands visited
she church at the time, many OF them af-
ficted with bodily ailments, which they
alleged were beyond the power of medical
OF surgical science TO heal. They came in
carriages, on crutches sticks and the
arms OF friends. Hundreds threw away
their crutches and sticks in the church
professeG themselves cured, and walked
away with that elasticity Of step Of the
physical whole.
St Anne. according 10 the legend. was
the wife OF Joachim, a devout and wealthy
man For a long time the couple were
childless. Therefore, when Joachim on
certain feastday appeared at the temple
has Offering was refused by the High Priest.
50 he went away 10 the wilderness and
tasted forty days. Meanwhile Anne also
bewailed her childlessress, and while she
was praying. an angel appeared and told
her that her prayer was answered Another
angel appeared TO Joachim with the same
message. When her time came Anne
brought forth a daughter whom she called
Mary.
The body Of ST. Anne was found in the
time OF charlemagne. at Apte. in France.
miracle revealing its abiding place A
boy born dumb suddenly spoke, saying.
Here lies the body Of Anne. mother OF
the Blessed Virgin Mary" This discs.ery
Is commemorated by yearly festival at
Apte