The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-28

with that, erred the Cor9pheeS OA taio movement, "and the day is won" Loosen the keystone of the arch and the whole structure will come down about their earsP' However, when the proper time arrives in our explanation we Will show that this mighty act of faith has a secure foundation.
 First in Importance.
 We have now reached, dear brethren, In the course of our instructions, the sac- rament of the holy Eucharist. Although not first in order, 1t is first in importance. being the holiest. most august, most ad- mirable of all the sacraments instituted by our Lord. 1t Is called the sacrament of -sacraments. As the sun is the center and motive power of the universe. the heart, the vivifying principle in man. so Is the blessed Eucharist In the church of Jesus Christ.
 It Is the resplendant and divine center of Catholic worship. All the other saera- ments refer to it. As the altar of a tenn pie Is the focus of all the parts, the point where the attention of the worshippers converges, so is the blessed Eucharist the central mystery of the religious cere- monies of the church, It Is the very soul of all our feasts. our offices. our cere- monials. 1t animates everything, 1t nour- ishes the life of faith and charity in our heart, 1t is the vital principle of Chris tianity. It is called, with reason, the greatest, most wonderful. most divine of all our mysteries. All the other mys- teries of Christian faith find their abridg- ment here according to the words of the Psalmist '"rhe Lord hath established a memorial of His wonderful works. He hath given food to them that fear him. (Ps. cx.)
 The mystery of the Holy Eucharist has two-fold character, for 1t is not only a sacrament but also @ sacrifice; a sacra- ment when received in holy communion by the faithful or when exposed for their adoration; a sacrifice when offered to God in the holy mass. We will therefore, consider 1t first as a sacrament.
 My treatment of the Holy Eucharist because of its vital importance will ne- cessitate a number of discourses which fact, trust, will not lessen your interest. l will endeavor to maintain a logical se- quence between them, to make them as comprehensible as possible and yet inter esting enough to merit your attention. When the time arrives for making clear the churchs ground for belief in this mystery, l must, from the very nature of the case, involve in my augmentation the belief of other churches but 1t will be done in all charity and with all respect for honest convictions.
 
 of the Holy Eucharist as a sacrament will divide 1t into three parts, each part for separate consideration, l. e., first, some preliminary ideas making for a bet ter understanding of the question, clear Ing of the ground; second, the clements that make up sacrament; third. it's re- ception by the faithful and it's effects
 The Name.
 As regards the preliminary ideas, the name Eucharist itself signifies thanks giving. This sacrament Is called the Eucharist because our Lord in insttuting 1t returned thanks to the Father and we ourselves fin It's reception can render wor- thy thanks to God for our redemption. It has also other names indicative of It's nature and properties of the Host, or Ho- ly Victim, Holy Communion Holy Via ticum or Bread of the Traveller so called when given to the dying Bread of An gels Most Holy Sacrament Sacrament of the Altar and Sacrament of Love.
 The Holy Eucharist is defined as the sacrament of the body and blood of Je- sus Christ; or. more fully, it is the saera- ment which contains really and substan- tially, under the appearance of bread and wine, the living body, and blood of Jesus Christ; that Is. Jesus Christ Himself in His entirety. in His humanity, and in His Divinity, as He sits in heaven at the right hand of the Father.
 There are several differences between this sacrament and the others of interest. The other sacraments give grace but this contains the very author and source of grace The others consist in an action. which action Is but transitory; this is a substantial thing in itself and is perma- nent The others have but one character, that of sacrament this is both Q saera- ment and A sacrifice Moreover, the Holy Eucharist is distinguished among the other sacraments by the magnifcence of the figures by which 1t was foretold and by the solemnity of its institution.
 Principal Figures.
 The principal figures of the Holy Eu- charist are the following: First the Tree of Life planted in the garden of Par adise, whose fruits gave everlasting life. Second, the bread and wine offered in sacrifice by Melchisedeeh, the priest king. Third, the Paschal Lamb whose blood protected the Israelltes in Egypt from death and whose flesh had to be eaten with unleavened bread Fourth. the Man ma, or the bread which God rained down from heaven to feed the Israelites in the desert Fifth, the Loaves of Proposition which the priests placed before the Lord In the tabernacle and whicf could only be eaten by men purified and sanctified &C., cording to the law. Sixth, the water ShahbSu iii'o Wine Ut the marriage feast of Cana and the bread multiplied by our Saviour to feed the multitude that had followed Him Into the desert.
 Father Kernigan here gave an account of the institution, of the Eucharist quot ing the words of Christ at the last sup per. He concluded by pointing out the design of the institution as follows: Christ wished to leave us, first, living monument of his passion; second. testi- mony of His ineffable love; third food for our souls and preventive of sin; fourth. a pledge of future glory. fifth, living image of His church. that mystical hQdu of Ciriat ,..iinia La ia tLa