The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-21
SORROW FELT HERE
Special Services to Be Held in Memory
of Pope Leo.

The news of the death of Pope Leo was
received with sadness yesterday through
out the length and breadth of Richmond.
Although the condition of the Pontiff
during the past week mas been such a 8 TO
prepare all for his end at any moment,
still. while men marveled at his wonder
full vitality and only wondered why the
inevitable had not come sooner. there
fingered in the breast of all that glimmer
of nope which. however adverse the con-
ditions. never quite passes away. 1t was
sorrowfully then that the news was heard
and all stopped moment in the hurry
and hustle of the days busy life 10 read
and reverenty to contemplate the st
moments OF the man toward whose death
bed the eyes of the world have been turn
ed for the past many days. Sectarian
lines were obliterated for the time being
and all men irrespective of creed and
cult sufferd pang of regret at the de-
popes than whom no greater and no bet
ter man lives to-day
AMONG THE CATHOLICS.
To the Catholics the announcement of
course. meant more than to others.
though Pope Leo was II world figure.
whose lustre shone beyond the pales of
the Church of Rome Each day for the
past week or more the tidings have been
momentarily expected and 1t came as no
shock when the expected happened. The
sorrow was already there and had been
since the day 1t became apparent that,
in the words of his own last beautiful
poem. the sun OF the life OF the Holy
Father had set to rise no more this side
the grave.
As soon as the news was communica ted
to Bishop Van de Vyver, the bell OF the
Cathedral began to toll. From that time
on during the day--flve minutes In each
hour-the bell sounded until nightfall,
when 1t was stopped.
The Bishop at once began to arrange
for services in commentator of the
deceased head of the church and last
night everything was complete. A pom
tifical requiem mass will be sung by
the Bishop on Monday morning next at
9 o'clock. and a sermon appropriate to
the occasion viii be preached. The Cathe-
dral will be draped In black and a cata-
A solemn high mass will be sung in all
the churches of the diocese of Rich
THE BISHOPS TRIBUTE.
Soon after the news OF the death Of the
Pope was communicated to. his yester-
day. the Bishop gave out the following
to the papers:
mind. and he has ruled the church for
moro than quarter Of a century with
extraordinary prudence and zeal when
consider the grave Ss that he
Then his qualities of Ieart and mind
were appreciated by the whole world. and
he Is greater In death than in life.
expected. Will cast the whole, world IN
sadness Because expected, his death
comes not as great shock. but as one
more nfallible evidence that all mortals
must pay the debt of nature.
''Leo's declining years have witnessed
great struggle between the opponent ell
ements. mind and matter. So accus-
toned have we been to see the former
triumph over the latter in Leo's case
that the world has vainy hoped. to
witness even at the end Of the manifes'--
tation of another such triumph But It
was not 70 be. The decree of Providence
was fixed.
| filled with golden deeds. His earthly en-
istcnce is at an end. His heavenly one
has begun. His body is dead. His spirit
lives to enlighten this and other ages. All
people will ever unite in honoring. rever-
ing and loving the memory of one Of the
greatest Popes that ever sat In the chair
| OF st. Peter.
"Ali people. regardless Of denomina-
ton, are moved with profound emotion
and regret that that one of the worlds
greatest lights has ceased to shine
amongst us.
'By thus writing these few lines on this
occasion, desire, in some manner to
testify to the profound grief of the peo.
pie Of Virginia. and of Richmond In par
ticuar. at the demise of the illustrious
Pontiff. Leo XIII"