Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-09-30

exercises, tue magnificent structure
was crowded to its q doors with a surg
ing mass OF humanity, who patiently
awaited the commencement OF the cell
ebration CT memoriam which was to
be she most elaborate and. that. too,
in which q colored priest would figure
quite conspicuously carried anxiety
above it's normal degree.
About 3:45, che vestibule to the
main entrance became packed almost
TO suffocation.
It was six minutes after -four when
Miss Maggie Ryne played the prelude,
after which the choir sang, Nearer
my God to thee"
IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES.
At AIS, the unveiling of the first
window occurred. st. Stephens club
led by Miss Katie G. Randolph took up
the march and each n ember of the
club carried bunch Of flowers with
which theJ adorned the wreath that
formed q heCrt and swung from the
window. During this impressive cerS-
mony in which Father Donovan ofici
ated. the choir sang, 30 Paradise"
The other tbres windows were un-
veiled by the Sunday School children,
who wore wreaths and Eed pashes. This
march was led by Sister Minitree. Of
Ireland.
FATHER UNoLRs' IEsTRucrIvE SERMON.
Miss Ryne again touched the organ
and the choir sang sweet melodies. The
dignitaries OF catholicism procee led
by the altar. Servants entered from
the right. Then came Rev Father
@. r Uncles. the colored priest from
Baltimore. a hush immedist aly fell
fhe.r hnl
Uncles sscended the altar. He ex-
planned why they had taken the occa-
sion TO unveiI the windows to the mem
ory OF these saints.
He said,' some say that we are su-
perstitious, pray TO images, worship
idols. They think it is a crime for us
to beautify our churches with these
images and works of art. There you
see the Shrine of the Rosary, q beauti-
ful piece of sculpture work which reD-
resents Virgin Mary. the mother OF
Christ, who WAS q saint in her days.
Over there you see we have just un-
veiled life size figure Of st. John, one
of the Apostles.
"Now, would we be doing wrong to
| appreciate one OF Gods Apostles7
Now here, when they unveil stat
ne to Henry Clay every body sang 10
| presence. They were apprciating the
value he had been to his country.
"Soon sitter the great Frederick
Douglass died there were held memo
rial services all over this country in
memory OF that great man and before
his portrait the masses bowed and
showed how dearly they priced hin
for the good he had done.
"I'll take the soldier who fought sc
brave for his country at San Juan Hill
When the bullet pierces that patriotic
breast, he sinks to the ground, hil
comrades run to his side, cut from
his head piece of hair and send 1T tC
his people; they will hail it as q sa-
cred memento in memory OF theil
husband. father or son, who had faller
while performing a great duty for hi
country. And why not we show oul
appreciation for those Holy Saints
whom we hold in high esteem and whs
have done such q great work for tn,
upbuilding OF the kingdom?
TO WHOM DO THEY PRAY.
''Now again." continued Father On
cies, 'some say we pray to those pref
tY statues, which are so magnificent q
we'll as costly. That is not so. II
wanted some public position in thi
city, first thing do would be to Re
the Mayor or some public person &
intercede for me. They would have
greater bearing upon the person il
whose power il WAS to give that posi-
ton. This man may be politically in
debted to the Mayor. Don't you tninl
he would succeed in advocating m
cause better than would myself?
Then why not we ask the interces
sion OF st. Thaddeus, st. John and ott
er holy saints; that they are in direc
com municstion with God could sue
ceed in advocating our cause bette
than we ourselves7"
Rev. Father Uncles preached for
minutes, during which time the vas
throng only caught its breath at inter
vals. The choir, then sang, Bright
~ Cleans our Banner"
After which, solemn benedic
tion was announced by Rev. UncleI
with the closing hymn, Rock {
Ages"