The times., 1901-04-08
DIR. STAFFORD IN THE PULPIT.
Solemn High Mass Celebrated mt st.
Patrictx's Church.


Solemn High Mass Celebrated mt st.
PatriciS's Church.
Easter as celebrated at St. Patrick's
yesterday was like an inspiration, like a
beautiful poem The interior of the
church was a brilliant scene, nature and
the genius of man having contributed
their best endeaYors to do honor TO the
occasion. Easter lilies, aZaieas ana
palms were effectively placed in groups
in the sanctuary and formed an embank-
ment reaching high above the white
slistening marble and onyx of the main
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 wei
as highly impressive, effect. IN snarp
contrast with these many evidences of
rejoicing and happiness were the en-
blems OF sorrow and mourning for the
late pastor of the church, Father Gloyd.
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
Glovd in the sanctuary as well as the
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 fun orchestra and the organ.
Armand Gumprecht, the choirmaster of
St Patrick's, 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 Maioney,
c. s. C. acted as deacon, and Father
Marr. of the Catholic University, sub
deacon.
The sermon of the Rev. DR. Stafford was
a masterpiece of ecclesiastical oratory. 1t
was forceful in argument, well as elo
quent in presentation. 1t was a 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. DR.. 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 I'm 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 said. in the course of it: THE
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the
4 T.,,. IN
all the history of God and man. 1t is at
the same time sad and joyous. Its history
has been told in the most simple language
and still it is the most extraordinary
fact" Speaking of the fidelity with which
the women followed Jesus, DR.. Stafford
said:
.-The women of Jerusalem waited until
the very last by his tomb; 1t was won
derful evidence Of their love Tor nm ana
their devotion. Not even at his crucifiXion
was their love for him shaken for one in
stant Mary Alagdalene, who had been
the greatest sinner in all the city, was the
one to remain by his tomb the first and
the last There was a yearning in her
soul seeking by the tomb words or con
ISOLATION, which she was wont to hear IRON
him" Describing the scene Of the disap
pearance from the tomb of the body Of
Christ, DR.. Stafford said:
The disciples could not understand now
il happened, and they returned 10 the
city. Only Mary Magdalene remained.
1'h.. resurrection from the dead is the
rnost stupendous fact in history, 1t IS
greater than Calvary or Bethlehem. II
is fact which can be established by
/ clearer evidence than any other fact In
4 history. There is no more evidence re-
( garding the deeds OF julius Caesar, Au-
! gustus, or any other we'll 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
/ to a peculiar atmospheric condition IN
/ that land and some say 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
1 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 to
/ 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, ana
/ which contained the body of him who
was put to death by the authority Of the
/ law.
/ cruel, and sinful man may be, there is
! salvation waiting for him. There is an
Easter morning for him when he will
/ keel 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, as Christ did.
| The musical programme consisted Of
the following numbers: Prelude, march,
| king Edward VII" Rostetter; ''Vidi
| Aquam," Dieman; mass, Haydn's III
| complete; offertory, alma Virgo" Hum
| mel: postude, "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 MIR. Rakemann: organist,
Anton GioetZner; director, Armand Gum
precht.
1t is now conceded that there is not another