The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1907-08-24

tered their flowers, then passed to their places
the pews When the last one left the sanctuary the
altar was mass of flowers. The acolytes lighted
the many candles, and the decorations were com
plete.
The Little Office"-dear to the heart of every
sodalist-was reached then Father Halpin gave a
short address to the socialists, urging them to be
true to their Queen, to initiate her virtues and to
| spread, particularly by example, the devotion to
her. "And remember" he said in conclusion, chat
| if the Mother of God is your queen, she is also
your mother. Go to her with all your cares and
troubles; no matter how trivial they may be, she
viii help and comfort you. Tell her the desires of
| your heart; ask her to intercede with her Divine
| Son for YOU to obtain from Him the grace or ia
vor you desire, whether it be for yourself or for
| another Mary is the mother of all mankind, but
| she is particularly mother to you, her chosen
ones; you have enlisted under her banner and wear
| her livery
"This month"; the most beautiful month of
spring, belongs to our Blessed Mother. Pray often
to her during this time; pray for yourselves and
pray for Others Pray for those you love- for those
who have grown Indifferent and have forgotten
their duty to God; for those who are bound bv the
chains of sin, and for those who have no one to
pray for them. Mary is the treasurer of heavenly
grace; go to her with simple faith, pure heart
and firm confidence. You will not ask in vain"
When Father Halpin left the altar Mary felt
that the time of her trial had come She looked
appealingly at Sister Placide, who smiled encour-
agement Mary played the introduction, then
sweet and low came the pleading voice:
Mother of grace and mercy,
Behold how burdens three
Weigh down my weary spirit,
The Past, with all its memories
Three gifts l place forever
Before thy shrine;
The threefold offering of my love,
Mary, to thinei
And drive me hereto thee,
Of pain-that stings me -et
Of sin-that brought repentance;
OF joy-that brought regret
That which has been-forever
So bitter-sweet-
/ lay in humbest offering
Before thy feet.
All the pain and longing of her affiction-so
patiently borne-was voiced in the beautiful pa
thos of the third verse pathos expressed by every
tone of the flexible voice.
The Present, that dark shadow
Through which toll today;
The slow drops of the chalice
That must not pass away.
Mother! | dare not struggle,
Still less despair;
[ place my present in thy hands.
And leave it there.
Sister Placide glanced at the young organist.
Mary looked like the pictures of ST. Cecilia. Her
head raised and the light from the stained
glass fell full upon her upturned face Her voice
a rich. pure alto, filled the church:
The Future holding all things
Which [ can hope or fear,
Brings sin and pain, it may be
Nearer and yet more near
Mother this doubt and shrinking
VIII not depart,
Unless | trust my Future
To thy dear heart,
Father Halpin and the acolytes waited in the
sacristy whilst Mary sang the last verse;
Making the Past my lesson,
Guiding the Present right,
Ruling the misty Future,
Bless them and me tonight.
What may be and what must be
And what has been,
In thy dear care forever
| leave nv Queenl 7a-3ro7m
Every word was distinct, coming as they did |
direct from the heart of the singer. Each member
of the congregation felt their influence, and all
Joined in the threefold offering.
Mary felt sure that her guardian angel sang
with her, for she felt his voice. Her heart was
filed with such peace was so uplifted with sweet
religious fervor that she was hardly conscious of
the children's voices singing the benedction
hymns. Whilst singing the "Laudate Dominum"
Mary's hands trembled, and the notes in the book
seemed to be blurred and indistinct. When she |
had finished she hastened to Sister Placide who
was preparing to follow the children downstairs |
"Sister" she called.
Sister Placide turned back Marylheld out her
trembling hands, "Speak to me, Sister; speak to
mel" she cried.
"Why, Mary, child what is the matter?" The
gentle startled by the girls death-like
oallor.