The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-18

leeHllE INTdnt lle lltft~uIt'l dlA HiA by miser1y ealeulatfo putting to death every child for whom he thought that he could not provide OF some natural de- feet might place him object of char ity to the state. Contrast dismal. un- slightly scenes of frequent occurrence with the group of young mothers who will from now on flock to this holy place fondiy bearing In their arms young has to the Kingdom of God. Look at the ambassador of Christ pouring over their heads the waters of regeneration. there by washing away original stn- freeing them from the clutches of Satan, rsRen erating them in baby baptism, you will then understand the purifying power of the stream flowing through this holy temple.
 In After Life.
 However, the benefits of this fountain are not confined to that stage of our existence: they are felt through every portion of our after life, when. with the growth of years the passions grow strong. endangerlng the graces of bap- tism; when notwithstanding the pfous assiduity of parents and pastors pre- cepts some are overcome by violence or bad example. and thoughtless victims Of deception fall in the very slippery paths wiAch time and again they were told to avoid: then 1t is that this same mercf.
 
 ing hand inviting them to the confess slonals which are harbingers of protec- tion from the pursuit of their enemies rather than tribunals for their condem- nation. How different from the courts of the world; here the sorrowful self accusation becomes the assurances of pardon rather than punishment.
 In the sacred fountain that flows from the altar, the sick and paralyzed are let down while the angel of God Is asttating the healing waters and from that foun- tain flows forth virtue that heals every thing with which 1t comes in contact. Washed in the waters or regeneration. and forfeited grace reinstated by the Blood of the Lamb, the children of mother church require even more; they need a spirit of strength and union to protect them from harm and assure future victory. An apostolic successor blesses chrism mived with balsam and applies 1t to the forehead of mother churchs children. Annointed with this holy oil the Christian becomes more powerful than the ancient wrestlers. Their brows signed with the profession of their faith and the sacred symbol of courage, they go forth carry Ing the banners of the church.
 Nor are these the only blessings pro- duced by the waters that flow from the sanctuary. Their purifying influence is especially felt in sanctifying the mar riage union, in Tightening its yoke, and in providing with tender care for the re- llgious education of it's offspring.
 The Mass.
 The graces I have thus far mentioned are only so many small streams whereas it is in the great source of all spiritual blessings abiding within it that consists the immense anc untold treasure of God s holy temple It is the holy sacrifice Of the mass daily offered by the priest for the sins of the people that invests it with a mysterious splendor -and loveliness far surpassing that glory which at the time of it's dedication filled the grand temple of Solomon It is this continued residence in our tabernacles of Him whose delight Is to be with the children of men, that brings those children in such multitudes around them filling their souls with inef- fable consolation. The intensity of the feelings of the faithful in the real pres ence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist is st-kingly manifested by the profoundness of their reverence to the blessed sacra- ment at the moment of elevation when they pour out their hearts In homage to His divinity at the foot of the altar. a homage that can only be compared to the ecstases of love and reverence with which the prostrate spirits cast their crowns before the throne of the Lamb. circulating at the same ume' honor ana glory and benedietion to Him that liveth forever and ever. This is the great secret of the animation of our churches in the stIilest hours of their solitude; this ia the reason why they are ever open to the visits of those who desire to spend an hour from the anxieties or the more dangerous allurments of deceitful world, to talk to their beloved and find in that colloquy foretaste of happiness which all the enjoyments of life cannot give.
 Preachers FeiIcltatlon.
 Having given necessarily only cursory