The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-09-25

auspices. A number of excellent speeches were made and they were heard by large audience of representative people,
 The rooms and wards in the new build- ing had been put in most excellent order. and with the beautiful decorations Of palms, potted plants and flowers through out the porches and corridors, the interior of the hospital presented a most attrac- tive appearance.
 The work. of improving the grounds Is not yet completed. but sufficient had been done to render them neat and convenient for this occasion.
 Religious Ceremonies.
 The religious and ritualistic ceremonies began at 7:so o'clock in the morning. with the blessing of the house by Right Rev E. P. Allen, Bishop of Mobile, and a very enthusiastic friend of the institution. Bishop Allen was Assisted in blessing every part of the hopital by Rev. Fathers OCallaghaR and DeBeurme of Mobile, and Father Hugh O'Brien of St. Peters Church. this city. and also the Sisters of Charity.
 This ceremony is peculiar to the Catho- lie Church and was conducted in a most devout and impressive manner.
 Immediately following the blessing of the house the Bishop celebrated mass in the hospital chapel, in which solemn ceremony he was assisted by Fathers De- Bourne and OBrien. The chapel was filled to overfiowing with visiting priests, Sisters of Charity and friends of the hos pital
 Formal Opening Exercises.
 At 5 o'clock in the afternoon the formal exercises were conducted on the spacious porch of the main building. A band rend- cred approoIiate selections at intervals dnrin0 the xddraQSae The previously announced, was observed in a notably smooth and effective manner. Every address was able in presentation and characterized throughout by the spir- 1t of appreciation and good will toward the noble institution so successfully es- tablished in Montgomery for the healing and care of the sick and suffering
 MT. Kohn PresideS.
 John P. Kohn presided and in his in- troductory remarks reviewed the circum- stances which led up to the establish ment of St. Margaret's Hospital, laying special stress on the fact that the Sisters have complsted and equipped an institu- tion costing much more than was con- templated when the agreement for its erection was made with the citizens of Montgomery. He paid a glowing tribute to the Sisters of Charity for their un- selfish devotion to the cause of suffering humanity with special reference to their work in Montgomery. They combine, he said. the principles and practice of re- ligious sincerity and skilled preparation for the particular offices to which their life is consecrated. As examples of pur- ity, devotion to duty and charity they occupy a distinct and exalted place in the worlds work. MT. Kohn especially emphasized the value of the hospital to Montgomery and the necessity for giving the Sisters every possible encouragement in advancing the interests of this institu- tion which they have opened to the public without regard to religious creed or social condition. .,
 Bishop Allen Irtroduced.
 The first speaker introduced was Bishop Allen, the beloved head of the Catholic Church in Alabama. whose earnest ad- dress was as follows:
 We are assembled here to-day to for mally open this beautiful hospital. and to dedicate 1t to the services of the af- ficted members of the human family. St. Margaret's hospital Is a noble and well equipped building. an honor to the citi- zens of Montgomery. and an ornament to the capital city of this great State. We believe it is destined, in the providence of God, to accomplish untold good in this community.
 1H6 Sk5IcTS WnO are cOnQuCtlng ft are we'll and favorably known through out the land. They are no strangers in Montgom- cry. for the city was the scene of their untiring and unselfish labors during a memorable period of your history. When civil war ravaged this fair land and brought train of unnumbered woes upon a once happy and united people, the Sis ters Of Charity came among you to nurse your sick and to bind up the wounds of your valiant sons, who were injured while defending home and country. They won your confidence and love then andd they have both now to encourage them in their holy work
 What soldier who has been under their care. can ever forget them or allow an unkind word to be spoken against them?
 "The sisters spend their lives in patient. fruitful toll. What touching scenes of he roic charity are daily witnessed in our hospitals where refined and educated la- dies attend the sick, dress their wounds. because they see in these wounds, those which Christ bore for our sakes.
 And yet the lives of the Sisters of Charity are not unique in the Christian Church. From the earliest ages of Chris tianity. we find devoted souls consecrat- ing themselves to the service of the af- hicted. This was marked characteristic of religious life in the middle ages, and the most high born and distinguished cheerfully devoted themselves to this work. St. Bridget, a princess of Swe- den, was so devoted to the care of the sick that she converted a part of her palace into a hospital and with anxious care attended to all the wants of the pa tients. St. Louis King of France, re- nowned for his ardent charity, establish ed many hospitals in his kingdom. On one occasion, he opened a new hospital