The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-13
NEW YORKER AT POPEs JUBILEE.
Charles stewart smlth Writes Of she
SPLENDID Ceremonial.

Charles Stewart Smith Writes OF sne
Splendid Ceremonial.
Charles Stewart Smith. former presi-
dent OF the Chamber Of Commerce and
member OF the Rapid Transit Commission,
has written in a letter to John d. Cr1mmins
which THE SUN is permitted to publish
this description Of the Pope's jubilee cele-
bration in st. Peters, Rome:
Hon. John d. Crimmins. ,-
my DEAR SIR: As through your kindness
was indebted to ArchbishoP Farley ior
letters to friendsin Rome, which caused 20
be opened important doors IN iha' Guy ", !
ing to YOU nv experience as an eyewitness
The memorable experience Of March 8
last reminds me most forcibly OF the re-
marks Of Renan In his history OF tne orlg,n
memory in substance that in the second
century A.. d. the supremacy OF the frst
Christian Church founded at Jerusalem
had been transferred to Rome. The great
Apostles Peter and Paui IN oD Dposnh the no
Gospel, had received here the browning
glory OF martyrdom. The greater wealth
OF the Church located here and the marvel.
lous constructive Roman genius had. az tnat
early day, supplied the Church WIN s vnS
been the Wonder and admiration Of the
world The recent loss Of the temporal
power has only accentusted the mora
power of the Chief Of the Church until ne
modern French writer as The cesar
Of Souls
"All the history. traditions and glory
OF the Church OF Rome for 1900 years were
to-day typed and astrsts shs ny t heese sen
dome to celebrate the twenty-ffth pom.
tifical jubilee OF Leo XIII. Only one OF
his predecessors since the time OF feter
has had this honor.
"1he great Basilica Is the only teHP;o
that could furnish the setting TOT this
unique and majestic celebration. There
were gathered several Princes and Prin-
cesses Of reigning families and the an
bassadors Of France and SPAN. the
Grand Master OF the Order OF Malta; l1i.
lowed by thirty chevaliers, escorted by
the Swiss Guard, made an imposing en-
trance. Forty-three Cardinals. IN scarlet
and white and two hundred and fifty Arch
bishops and Bishops. all In their violet
robes Of ceremony; thousands OF priests
brilliant robes Of the high officials
THE splendid uniforms OF the noble
Guard and the variously colored uniforms
Of the Swiss Guards gave q military accehe
arch, in picturesque Oriental costume,
followed by several Bishops in his train.
made notable appearance. Far more
imposing and impressive than woros ca,
paint was the immense sea OF human hea aus
stretching in all directions as FAR IA the eye
could reach, filling the entire floor space
English, French, German. italian, and
Spanish exclamations OF wonder and sur
prise were heard on all sides. low ana
continuous mingling OF human voices
lilo kba murmur OF the ocean
heard on a still summer night; ,,
.The three grand doors OF 81. Peters
were opened at o clock. Notwithstandhg
the Of rain al the tb o.ra9es
and IN groups on foot. holding tickets Of ad-
mission. About one-haH OF the floor space
near and around the high altar was on
closed with benches, for which were re-
aured special tickets which g Ss .nr E,ess
For the rest, only standing room was avail
able As early as o o'clock all standing
room seemed occupied. The space through
the centre, required for the passage q the
Pone's procession. was lined with Swiss
the great assembly had been waiting Tor
more than two hours, arrived. All doors
OF ingress and egrees were closed and
governmsent troops guarded the grand
aThe large red curtain was thrown back
and the head Of the procession entered the
church A long defile OF the chiefs Of tho
religious orders, the Cardinals and Bishops,
companies Of guards in military uniforms
preceded the Holy Father; The Pope
followed and was received with an immense
tumult Of applause, the waving OF hand.
kerchiefs and every possible expression OF
seated in his large chair elevated above
the heads of the whole audience. who rose
and remained standing. He was dressed
in white robes, embroidered with gold and
wore silver and gold tiara,
AT intervals during the procession,
which slowly moved toward the high altar,
he stood up and waved upon both sides
the Papal benediction. He appeared very
pale and was evidently making great
exertion. The great ostrich feather rams
similar retinue followed the Papal chair
and all disappeared behind the high altar.
where, under canopy. the Papal throne
was placed facing the altar The process
sion occupied about quarter OF an hour
Commenced com n which was performed by the
dean Of the College Of Cardinals:
During the ceremony, which lasted
about an hour and q half, the soldiers OF
the Guard formed line around the altar.
The choral music was divine. The notes
Of the organ could scarcely be heard, but
the voices. even the solos, rang clear and
distinct through the aisles of the great
church The Te Deum, sung by. the choir
with responses by the great audience. was
effective beyond description. Near the
located in the first gallery Of the dome,
about 200 feet above the floor Of the church,
played an exquisite strain which hoated
down with a soft mysterious effect which
seemed like an enchanted dream.
aThe mass ended, the Holy Father ap-
reared in front OF the high altar, gave an
episcopal blessing and the grand procession
returned in the same order as II came with
perhaps more applause II possible, as sixty
thousand voices bv common consent swelled
the chorus OF 'vivas.' It took fully an
hour for the great audience to leave the
church. Yours truly,
"CHARLss STEWART SMITH.
sMAY rs, 1903"