Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-03-23
CHURCH LORE.


st. Nicholas, bishop of Myra, died A,
ID. 3l2. No record OF him remains eX-
cept the fame of his charity and hoil-
ness. His relics, were transported to-
Bari, Italy, in 1887, in fear OF Moham-
mcdan Dissertation. For some reason
unknown he became the patron III
sailors and merchants ana small boys,
especially orphans, who We're taught
to place themselves under his care.
The Christmas legend OF st Klaus
and his gifts are remnant Of this
dedication. The strange medieval fes-
tiyal Of the boy bishop began OH
st. Nicholas day.
1t was customary in medieval times
to elect boy bishop on ST. Nicholas
day, his authority extending to Holy
lnnocents day, Dec. 2S In England
the custom prevailed in almost every
parish. He was chosen from among
the children OF The church or cathe-
dral choir or from the pupils Of the
grammar school. He was arrayed n
episcopal yoatment5 and attended by a
crowd OF subordinatcs in priestly
dress, who went about with songs anu
dances from house to house blessing
the people; they took possession of
The church and performed all oil the
Offices except mass. If the boy bishop
died during The term of his office the
funeral hunor5 of a bishop with
monument We're granted him. In Eng
land The custom of eIectinS a boy
bishop was abolished ,proc.ama-
ton of Henry Will. l5l2, restored ny
Queen Mary in 1911, and finally aDoI-
iShed during the reign OF EllzaDeth.
Catholic priests are now allowed to
olllciate at the Durla. OF members OF
secret societies in consecrated ground
provided they have Aot been openly
hostile TO the church. rms privilege
has recently been granted by a decree
Of Pope Leo, and applies especially to
the Cuited States.
The Federation of Evangelical
churches in ENGLAND is about to result
in a new catechism on which a joint
committee has been at work for more
,haS two years. The new work is one
IN whose incarnation the ablest meu
Of the Baptist, WESLEYAN. Presbyteri-
an, CONGREGATIONAL, and other free
churches have participated. Ii will be
issued simultaneously ia England and
America.
The meaping of the German emper-
or's recent piIgrimage 10 the holy
land and his gift of the piece OF the
ground of Jerusalem. known rs The
Passage of the Blessed VIRGIN" 10 his
German, Catholic subjects. Is begin
Ming to deyelop. 4 TELEGRAM from
Vienna ia the London Times aanoun-
eos thai series of wholesale CONVEX
sions to the old Catholic church by
Austrian members Of the German ma
ffonol rommunirrs in Vienna and at
Gratz tho rapftal of Syria. will take
Mace early in December. In connec-
lion Win fhis ceremony. one OF the pas-
tnrs win deliver an address advocating
no establishment OF d German ma
.innal church jadepentent of Rome. :
1tha f,orpupnt would arlear IA have
tha snnunrt Of the p-Garma,lic
groun in the Austrian reicbsrath
which viii be represented on the occa-
sion and is promoted nv = section If
Tho extreme opposition.
ma rnnrrpeatfonaIist commentlpe
np Tho rnrenf iournevs of Rishon War
ron IN snuth Amarira Of Risbon 7oss
- rnli, am of Bishon 4artgaiI N
Africa. can not helm realizing anew
rbn nr,faund influence for qoon mos,
III 1hnrahos II homo ara tha missions