Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-09-25
Discourse of Rev. G.. H. Tagesser at
The Funeral Of Mrs. Sarah A. Baker,
St. AnthOny's Church, Sept. 22.

Inc EunoTdl vi MIS- odIuH IA DunOh,
st. Anthony's Church, Sept. 22.
81 have loved O Lord the beauty of thy
house and the place where thy glory
dwelleth." Psalm XIV, 8.
The beauty of the home reposes in father and
mother brother and sister. Withdraw from the
home the sunshine of loved ones and there remains
little of beauty that appeals to the soul The royal
prophet had zeal for the construction OF the ma
terial temple that would be built by his son Solo
mon and when with prophetic instinct King David
beheld the splendor OF the structure that would
contain the Holy Of Holes he could well render to
himself the testimony: II have loved o Lord the
beauty af thy house." But what most appealed to
the Psalmist was not the vision OF the beauty OF
the temple that would contain the Holy OF Holes;
he was far more captivated by the beauty OF GODS
glory in the Holy Of Holes, that ravished his soul
enlightened by faith. Now, If the psalmlst was
entranced by the beauty of that place before which
the Jews worshipped and from which they received
| the divine instructions and commands, far greater
must be the transport Of admiration and love that
seizes the soul of the Christian as he beholds with
the eyes of faith the beauty Of the God Of the Eu
charist whose divinity and humanity are truly and
! really present on the altar of our churches. The
HldteTlal may NC pun 'i'S ''"'o w
the poorest but the devout Catholic with the eyes
of his soul will discern in the sacraenta presence
Il beauty infinitely SURPRISING all earthly beauty
Seventy eight years ago the soul that only a few
hours ago departed from this lifeless body lived in
an infant and was brought for the first time to the
| House Of God to receive holy Baptism. The re-
generating waters impaired to that soul something
of the very beauty of God and He delighted in this
manifestation of His beauty. Angels beheld in
that soul beauty that emulated their own Soon
the years Of childhood passed and the girl was
anointed by the Bishop with the chrism OF saliva
ton and for the first time she was permitted to
partake Of the Living Bread that came down from
heaven to be the life of the world. and new beauty
infused into her soul by every reception of the
sacraments With faith that grew stronger by
every successive visit to the church. she was per-
mitted to recognize more and more fully ~ time
went on the beauty OF Gods glory in the Sacrament
of His Love. Her respect for the house of God,
her prayerful attitude, her devout assistance nj
the divine Sacrifice and her fervent reception OF
holy communion. attested more forcibly than
words; Il have loved o Lord the beauty of Thy
house and the place where Thy glory dwelleth."
rhe beauty of her soul manifest not only in
church, but shone respondent in the daily routine
Of her long life Her kindly countenance. her gen
tie speech, her humble and retired life reflected
the beauty of her soul. Her highest praise is the
place that she holds in your minds and hearts.
Her genuine worth best appears by the admiration.
esteem and affection Of those that knew her best.
You recognized in her a sturdy character and Il
high type of Christian womanhood Love for home,
afectionate devotion to her husband and children,
charity towards her neighbor, loyalty to friends,
were notable traits Of her life To these she added
SIMPLICITY nj manner industry. constant labor and
fortitude of soul. She adhered to God as well in
adversely in prosperity. Because thou was
acceptable to God it was necessary that temptation
should prove thee" Tob. xxi ID. AS silver is
tried by fire and gold in the furnace, the Lord
trieth the hearts" Prov xvii 3. Trials and trih-
ulat ions only served to draw her more closely to
God and to chasten her soul, God SO disposed that
for some time past Mrs Baker should be more free
than ever to crafty her pious desire of assisting
daily at holy mass. Last Friday morning after
hearing mass for the last time she returned home
and very soon she was heard to recite the Hail!
Mary and without exciting alarm she left the
house and became the messenger of her own sick
call. How true il is that the ruling passion is
mighty in death During life prayer and assist
ance at divine service had become a strong. endur-
ing habit, and now that the fatal stroke begins Ia
affect her mind, her first impulse is to pray and Ia
wend her way to the church. When she could no
longer answer any question, she continued to re-
peat the prayer that she had counted thousands
Of times on her beads. The Hail. Mary her
last prayer, her final word This edying life that
has Just come to a close is only one of many that
have sanctifed the mountain during over a cen
fury. During her long life Mrs. Baker had follow
ed to their last resting place many noble and Just
women. She had great devotion to the faithful
every defilement of sin, believe that the many
souls that she helped by her prayers, will obtain
for her a speedy entrance into the sight of God
In praising her and the many splendid types OF
womanhood that the mountain has produced,
have followed the example of the Holy Spirit who
exclaimed by the mouth of the inspired writer
who shall find valiant woman? far and from
the uttermost coasts is the price of her The heart
OF her husband trusteth in her and he shall have
no need of spos. She will render him good, and
not evil. all the days of her life She hath opened
her hand to the needy and stretched out her hands
to the poor. She hath opened her mouth to wisdom,
and the law OF clemency is on her tongue. She
hath looked well to the paths of her house, and
| hath not eaten her bread idle. Her children rose
up and called her blessed; her husband, and he
praised her. Favour Is deceitful and beauty Is
vain: the woman that feareth the Lord she shall
be praised" Prov. XXI 1t is true that the soul
of the departed cannot be affected by words OF
praise or blame; but il we have seemed to dwell
at length on the example OF her good life, If we
have alluded to the grand specimens Of womanhood
that have trod these mountains, it is for the sake
| of the young maidens who must soon take the
place of these noble women; it is in order that
YOU fathers and mothers, may be induced to rear
girls after the bright models that have shone in
your midst. When your girls and young maidens
assume the responsibilities of life, and when they
shall have run their course, and when in turn their
remains are carried to the foot of the altar, will
another priest standing in this place be able to say
truly that your daughters measured up worthily to
the many grand women who have lived and passed
away at the mountain? | shall not answer this
| question; shall not play the prophet; but must
| observe that times, conditions and circumstances
| have wonderfully changed at the mountain during
| the life OF this good woman. and many of the
changes that have occurred are not in the line of
true progress. Our age boasts OF its progress and
1t has made progress along material lines. but has
it made progress in those things that are essential
| to the formation of true Christian womanhood?
Knowing then, the great dangers that beset your
daughters, teach them to emulate the lives and the
virtues OF generation that is fast departing.
| Teach your girls that the brightest ornaments of
womanhood are purity, simplicity selfdenial, in
dustry, labor and love Of home. Let me in fine
| beg you to keep alive the memory of this good
| woman, and to remember her long in your pray
ers. May thy place be this day in peace and thy
abode in holy Sion.