The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-07-21
CHURCH RELICS ARE
VENERATED IN ROME
Some of Most Notable Treas
ures of the Christian
World.
A VERITABLE RELlQUARY
The Famous Cope" But Recently Re-
turned, One of the Most
Valued Possessions Of
Roman Church.
A VERITABLE

st. Louis Republic: The keeping Of
relics has ever formed a reverential
and inspiring form of devotion and re
membrance. Memory Of mar rInneth
not to the time when the case has been
otherwise, nd it has been applauded
on all sides as a happy and wholesome
circumstance. But in the keeping OF
relics due regard has not always been
taken to an equitable distribution OF
them, and in consequence at various
times heated discussion has been en-
gendered. In secular matters a spirit
of lively legal contest has entered into
the possession of some Of the more
notable relics Of soldiers and states
men; in ecclesiastical ones stealth has
often been reSorted to for their. posses
sion.
The world at large has only recently
had an example of the latter character,
when a previous and valuable cope"
a large and flowing garment like a long
cape which is used for the Hesper
service in the Roman Catholic church.,
was surreptitiously taken. The cope
comes from the ancient Romans, and is
usually Of fine material. Happily, this
relic, pilfered by adventures, came In
to the possession of j. Pierpont Nor
gan. who Immediately, on learning the
rightful owners. ordered it restored.
Rome is a veritable reliquary. At
mo Nv SoPihcA 80
the most famous and interesting relics
of all the world-the Christian world,
at least-for within it's picturesquely
monumental walls are kept some of the
| principal relics Of the sacred passion
Of the Savior, and as this event Is the
source Of all happiness and good to
Christians, interest in these objects
tends to not only respect but venera-
ton as we'll. OF the pillar at which
the Savior was scourged 1t is said that
this was anciently kept at Jerusalem
with other holy relics on Mount Zion.
Brought to Rome.
1t is supposed to have remained In
the same place until the thirteenth
century, when 1t vase brought to Rome
by Cardinal John Columna, apostolic
delegate in the East under Pope Hon
orius III. Placed in a little chapel in
the church of st. Praxedes, it Is shown
there to his day. The pillar is Of
gray or black and white marble, one
foot and a half long or two Italian feet,
and one foot in diameter at the bottom,
and eight inches at the top, where Is
tied. 1t is thought by some to be only
the upper part Of the pillar, as men
Toned by an ecclesiastical historian;
but others. and in greater number
maintain 1t to be entire, as there are
no marks of a fracture.
AS l III SlldIdClSI VI 1 CIo"li vi
thorns which was pressed on the
Savior's head at the time of His cruel
dxion there has been a great deal OF
problematical discussion One version
mas it that they were plated together
80 as to entirely cover the top of His
lead, like a cap, and not merely as a
wreath, to bind the temples and fore
aead. This relic, it is said, has a an
interesting history. 1t was given by
the Emperor Baldwin II to st. Louis
Is his cousin and great benefactor
when the city of C~onstantinople was nc
longer considered a place of security
against the Saracens and Greeks. st
louis afterward in requital paid off 6
oan which that emperor had borrowed
Of the Venetians. William of Nangis
and Vincent Beauvais and Other
French historians Of that time relats
DOW this sacred treasure was with
great devotion carried in a sealed case
by religious men. by way of Venice
nito France. st. Louis, with tbs queer
mother. prelates and princes and s
goodly retinue. met the relic man,