The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1903-12-05
. Our literary Cable q

THE Symbol of the Apostles" is the title OF VOL
ume by the Rev. Alexander Macdonald. D. D. Vicar
General of the Diocese of Antagonist Nova Scotia
The subtitle for the book describes V "A Vindca
ton the Apostolic Authorship the Greed the
Lines of Catholic Tradition. The work is enlarge
ment Of series of articles which through the
cesiastica Review from January Of the pres
ent year. The book is entirely doctrina and historca
Under the title of THE Philippine Islands: 1895
1898" there now issued complete and comprehen-
sve history of the islands and of the work OF the
rfous Catholic orders islands, their nrst
discovery by Europeans to the end the Spanish do
mnion. The work will be completed in hfty-vs vol
umes. The edition is limited to 1000 numbered sets
THOUGHTS ON CARDINAL NEWMAN's DREAM
OF GERONTIUS."
(By Miss Bessie CaIlaghan (cass 1900 Sacred Eear
Academy Ogden)
Among the many literary lights that shed their
siIvery lights the world in the nineteenth century
there is that shines forth more brilliantly tha1
Cardinal Newman.
Although we find this period heavy laden With tins
spirit of scepticism and inhdelity yet Newman and
HIS iustrious pieces retain the balance in their
pressions higher beautiful features Of
life.
In Cardinal Newman we find OF the most
derfu minds ever possessed by His literary pro-
of his character and in his Dream Of GerortiuS VIE
find him the highest point of his literary excellence
More than five decades have passed since Newmsns
genius poet burst forth in those sublime passages
where beautifully pictures the soul Of GerontuS
struggling against the agonies Of death.
Year after year passed silently and this beautiful
gem of literature was practically undisturbed by
the great mass OF readers until the dawn Of the
twentieth century find it placed in beautiful
golden setting of music.
The mind of Edgar Elgar in the Dream Of &c
rontius" thoughts which awakened the highest powers
of music in his soul. Inspired by these expressive
thoughts which lad fingered in his mind for eight
long Mr. Egar touched the golden strings Of his
Tyre the result believe is Of the most beau
tfful oratorios of modern times If examine the
Dream of Gerontius" cannot fail to notice no"
admirably each part adopted varied strains OF
music.
How beautiful it is to see one Of Newman's own
countrymen eevatng this creation of poets mind to
higher and more deserving place in English ftera'
ture.
In this poem we see Newman as the scientist the
dreamer the poet, and pre-emineny the theologan
truths Of science
Dogmas of faith and thought Of the world beyond
expressed in longings style which belongs
only to true poet In the opening lines Of this oo'
the reader is brought the bedside of dying Chris
tan The is pictured vividy and the outlines
Gerontius in the last moments of his life saying
Il am near to DEATH
And thou art calling me: 1 know it now
Not by the token of this faltering breath,
This chill heart this dampness my brow;
IT'S this new feeling never felt before
That 1 am going and am no more.
Softly and slowly the poet leads US from the deaH
bed of Geronus further and further until the ans
addresses him thus:
Thy Judgment now is near and we are come
Into the yelled presence of our God
Beautifully, indeed does Newman explain the So
sation which the soul feels at the first sight Oh -
beatfc vision:
The sight of Him would kindle in thy heart
All tender. gracious. reverential thoughts;
Thou wilt be sick with love and yearn for al"
And feel though thou eoudst but pity n"-
That one so sweet should 'er have placed HlH@-
At his advantage such to be used
SO viely by being thee. 80
From his exquisite description Of the anse~ 4
sacred stair and the Notwithstanding meioos0
Paradise one might be led think that Newman
favored with a peep into the great beyohu- -,
The inspiration of this poem was the us@' ,s.f
cherished friend How often do we nno ..hu
weighted down by sorrows burden breathing W
grief in some work of literature = csOr
AS we read the last page Of the Dream - and
thus" its beauty appeals to stronger 'hSn go ms<
we lay the book down close at hand Wheie ~
grasp it again to reread those beautiful DortSD
angel as he bids farewell to Gerontius a. -
of migratory