The Washington times., 1901-10-28
ATTEND CHURCH IN A BODY
knights of Columbus Commemorate
the Discovery of America.
Solemn Ncspers Said Mt ST. PntricIs's
Eloquent sermon by DIR. .stafford-
Twelve Hundred Initiates Take
Part in the Impressive Service.

Part in the Impressive Service.
The Washington Chapter of the knights
of Columbus attended in "a body the SOL
emn vesper and benediction service ceIe-
brated last night at Sc. Patrick's Church
| in commemoration of the landing of
| Columbus
| The knights of the order. before the
| services commenced. assembled at Carroll
| Han. on G Street and from there march
ed in procession to the church, under the
marshalship Of Capt. p. J. Haltigan. who
is the editor of the National Hibernian' ''
| To the air of Onward. Christian Sol
dieIs' sung in chorus by the knights,
the procession filed up the aisles to tho
| pews reserved in the front part of the
| church. After the knights had been seat
| ed the doors were thrown open to the
! public and in a very short time the edi-
| flee was crowded to the doors. 1t is esti-
| mated that about twelve hundred knights
took part in the celebration.
The interior of the church. along the
vaulted roof and around the massive col
umns, was studded with innumerabie cleo
| tric lights and the white marble main
altar glisteued in the glow Of myriad can
dies illuminating the house of worship
with rare brilliancy. In the sanctuary
were a number of the Catholic clergy
of this city and students from the Cath
olic University.
The services opened with the chanting
by the choir of the GregOrian vespers,
during which the congregation remained
in pious mediation and silent prayers
The Rev. DR.. Stafford. rector of the
church. delivered a sermon appropriate
to the occasion. It was a splendid effort.
imbued with the spirit of love for the
church and love for the country. and
powerful argument for the elevation OF
mankind and the application OF legiu-
mate means to attain high ideals.
DR.. Stafford had selected for the text
of his sermon. i go the way Of all flesh
but do thou take courage and De man
In the course of his discourse DR.. Stat
ford declared that if the knights of Co
lumbus had done nothing else but incul-
Gated mora, and religious sentiments In
those with whom they come in contact
they would be entitled to the full appro-
baton of all bishops and priests of the
Church. and of all Catholics and good cit
liens of the country. He also commended
the order for having established chair
at the Catholic University.
DR. Stafford spoke Of education as a
dangerous requirement, unless it also fur
nished that which education demands to
satisfy its cravings-religious and moral
training. knowledge of God and his pro-
found love for his children.
"A good heart is always better than a
great mind" said DR. Stafford; but it is
not the heart that makes character; it's
the will"
DR.. Stafford spoke of the usefulness of
man, ard said that his character should
be broad, great and liberal.
The greatest OF all characters, con-
tinued Dr. Stafford. 'is perseverance,
length of soul-'longus animus, a soul
that never becomes weary of doing right
He is the greatest of all men who has
an indUmitable will; who, after he has
once embarked in an undertaking, will
never admit that there is such thing
failure. though all the world be against
him. II is this trait OF character that
created Christianity; that made the
Church possible. and that made the
Church strong, and put it on the sound
foundation which it has ever stood
Later in his sermon, Dr. Stafford said:
Ne must be men OF great and broad
minds and character, and OF indomitable
viii and courage. And. if we put these
principles in practice. not only VIII we
be great ana strong men. but also our
organization VIII be great ana strong. We
must take interest in our country, and
We must take interest in the times-in
the present. We must be at ali times
devout Catholics, ana under all circum-
stances loyal and patriotic Americans
" must take part Ia ali pubic analrs.
Ne must make our influence felt in ali
questions and matters which pertain TO
the public welfare. We must nand our
rights as citizens.
a ntas4 AZ a nUIr n try
We must be directed by high principles,
so that our influence Will be felt, and
bring forth these good results which
must spring from the efforts and the
work OF those who are iInbued with high
principles. Under the guidance OF cps
cUpdl authority, seek TO accomplish good
Tor your church and Tor your country.
However difncult il may be to accom-
PlSh anything We must never be dis
cOuraged. The work that We have in
hand, We must never give up, no matter
now dark the skies, and how unpromis-
ing the future We must be practical
Catholics. We must be men who have
piety, devotion. and INSTRUMENTATION
who assist the priests in their work We
need the old-time Catholic laymen. We
need them in all the world, and especial
iy there where religion is being driven in
the corner. Why? Because Of the lack
Of courage Of the Catholic layman.
Fifteen hundred men in our city bound
together; what are you going to do with
your power, bound in the sOlemnity of
an organization; strong in piety, and in
love Of country What are you going TO
do. Look around and see for yourselves
what the churches need, and the schools
and the poor and the orphans. Advance
in solid phalanX, and let it be understood
that we are going to use our influence
Let il be understood that Catholics have
their rights Let II be understood that
we will make our power and influence felt
for the betterment Of all classes"
The sermon Of DR.. Stafford. by reason
Of its strong Catholic views and its in
tense patriotism, created a sensation and
made profound impression on the con-
gregation.
The celebrant of the services was the
Rev. Eugent Hannah. rector Of st An
thongs Church. Brookland. and State
cha plain of the order. He was assisted by
the Rev DR. Currier, rector Of st. Mary 5
Church, serving AZ deacon, and by the
Rev. DR.. Burns, c. 5. c., President of the
Holy Cross College. Catholic University
as sub-deacOn. William A. ShreVe acted
as master of ceremonies assisted by J.
Bingham. A. 5. Harvey was first censor
bearer; Oscar Harkness and Henry Sur
guy, acolytes, and Howard Mcdonald,
clerk. There were eighteen torch bearers,
six censor bearers, and forty altar boys.
Within the sanctuary were seated
Bishop Bradley. of New Hampshire; the
Rev. DR.. Garrigan, vice rector of the
Catholic University; the Rev. Father Null
vaney, of Trinity Church, Georgetown;
the Rev. Father Foley. and the Rev. Fa-
thCr O'Connell, OF ST Stephens Church.
The music for the occasion was under
the direction Of Prof. Lawrence T. Gan
non, and the choir composed exclusively
of members Of the order. The entire
membership during the service sang 20
Salutaris." the "Tantum Ergo" and at
the conclusion Of the ceremony the 'Te
Dcum.' one of the features of the sing
irg was the rendering of that ancient
church hymn, "Salve Regina which was
first saw the shores of the New World.
The committee in charge Of the eNer-