The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-08
DIR. STAFFORD IN THE PULPIT.
Solemn High Mass Celebrated mt st.
PatricI's Church.

DIR. STAFFORD IN THE PULPIT.
Solemn High Mass Celebrated mt st.
Patricix's Church.
Easter. as celebrated at st. Patrick
yesterday, was like an inspiration, like a
beaut, sul poem The interior of the
churc:. was brilliant scene, nature and
the genius Of man having contributed
their best endeayors to do honor to the
occasion. Easter lilies, azaleas, and
palms were effectively placed in groups
in the sanctuary and formed an embank-
ment reaching high above the white
glistening marble and onyx OF the MAN
altar. Hundreds of shimmering wax
candles, and myriads of tiny electric
bulbs artistically arranged between the
rich dark green foliage shed their soft
and mellow light over the scene, produc-
ing a beautiful and picturesque. as well
as highly impressive, effect In sharp
contrast with these many evidences Oh
rejoicing and happiness were the en-
blems of sorrow and mourning for the
late pastor of the church, Father Gioyd
A broad band of black crepe encircled
each pillar and garlands of the
sombre material gracefully hung from
arch to arch The former pew Of Father
confessional which he formerly occupied
were decorated with wreaths OF Easter
lilies and evergreen.
Haydn's Imperial Mass, that majestic
and wondrously beautiful creation, was
rendered with great effect and fine pre-
cision by an augmented chorus, accompa-
MED by a full orchestra and the organ.
Armand Gumprecht, the choirmaster OF
St Patricks, had charge of the musical
programme, and his work was performed
with credit.
The celebrant OF the mass was Father
Dolan, of st. Patrick's. Father Maloney,
c. S. c.. acted as deacon, and Father
Mari. of the Catholic University. as sub
deacon.
The sermon of the Rev. DIR. Stafford was
a masterpiece of ecclesiastical oratory. 1t
was forceful in argument. as well elo-
uuent in presentation. 1t was sublime
word painting, and made a profound inn
preston upon a congregation which not
only filled every available space in the
large edifice, but crowded the vestibule.
Before proceeding with the sermon DR..
Stafford announced that the collection to
be taken up was for the benefit of st.
Charles College, of Baltimore, an insti
tuition for the education of young men
for the priesthood. DIR. Stafford in APP
pealing for funds said the future of the
Church in this country depended largely
on the proper education of young men for
the priesthood. that all modern means of
education were necessary in such institu
tions TO keep abreast with modern thought
and civilization.
The sermon was founded on the text
as contained IN ST Mark. xvi, II. DIR.
Stafford iSai@, in the course of 1t: THE
resurrection Of Jesus Christ from the
dead is thu p.ost extraordinary fact in
all the history of God and man. 1t is at
the So ne tim: sad and joyous. Its history
has .eeI. id In the most simple language
and jni Il is the most extraordinary
fact sr5zaking of the fidelity with which
the women followed Jesus, DIR. Stafford
said:
.',rhe women of Jerusalem waited until
the very last by his tomb; 1t was Won
derful evidence of their love for him and
their devotion. Not even at his cruciiiXion
was their love for him shaken for one in
slant Mary Magdalene, who had been
the greatest sinner in all the city, was the
one TO remain by his toHb. the first and
the last. There was a yearning in her
soul, seeking by the tomb words OF con-
ISOLATION which she was wont 10 near from
him" Describing the scene of the disap-
pearance from the tomb of the body OF
/ Christ, DR.. Stafford said:
it happened, and they returned TO the
J city Only Mary Magdalene remained.
| The resurrection from the dead IL the
most stupendous fact in history, 1t Is
greater than Calvary or Bethlehem. 1t
| Is a fact which can be established by
clearer evidence than any other fact In
history. There is no more evidence re-
garding the deeds OF julius Caesar. Au-
gustus or any other well known charac-
/ ter. than there is regarding the resurrec-
! ton. II Christianity could exist without
the resurrection. Christianity would be
a greater miracle than the resurrection
itself There is nothing more absolutely
ridiculous or weak than the writings of
some philosophers questioning the resur-
! rection of Christ.
! Some ascribe the ascension of Christ
! to a peculiar atmospheric condition in
| that land. and some ray that the dead
| body of Christ was Stolen by his disci-
/ pies we know what arrant towards the
| apostles were. they did not profess to
| even know the Master. Not one in the
whole apostolic college had the ordinary
| courage of decent manhood to stand by
! him and say, This man is my Master.
, The women had more courage: 1t is
| ridiculous to argue that the apostles stole
the body; they who had been AFRAID 10
| even appear with him in public. They
would not dare to so near that tomb
which was guarded by Roman soldiers.
was secured with the seal OF state, and
/ which contained the body of him who
was put 20 death by the authority of the
| law.
! NO matter how degraded, loathsome,
cruel, and sinful man may be, there is
! salvation waiting for him. There is an
| Easter morning for him when he will
! kEeel by the tomb of Christ, pray for
| the forgiveness of his sins, and rise with
new life, resurrected and reconciled with
God. Today the young man, the virgin
the good mother and father, the inno-
| cent child, and even those who have just
risen from the tomb of sin, sing the hal
lelujah of the resurrection and follow the
| cross All that follow the cross will, in
the end. triumph, Christ did"
The musical programme consisted OF
| the following numbers: Prelude, march
| king Edward VII" Rostetter; 'Vid
| Aquam" DieIman; mass, Haydns Ill
| complete; offeItory, Alma Virgo Hum
MEL postlude. "Alleluja, Falkenstein.
The soiolsts were: Soprano, Mrs
Blanche Rogers; alto. Miss Mamie Grant
tenor, Melville Hensey; basses. Bernard
Ryan and Charles Goodchild. Leader OF
the orchestra. Mr.. Rakemann; orSanist
Anton GloetZner; director, Armand Gum
precht.
is noyV conceded that there is anot he