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<)!

THE CATHEDRAL

ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDUND,

WITH

AN ACCOUNT OF ITS CONSECRATION

THE RIGHT llEV. DR. MUlLOCK.

•' Fecerunt autem dedicationem domus Dei In gaudio."— lieDR. vi. 16.

^-^'r:

./^

j !^y :

DUBLIN: -— -^ '

"^ — '
JAMES DUFFY, 7, WELLINGTON- QUAY.

1856.

AN ACCOUNT

or THB

CONSECRATION OF THE CATHEDRAL OF S. JOHN'S,

N EWFOIJNDI.AN I ).

DESCRIPTION OF THE CATHKDBAL.

In the May of 1841, the late Right Rev. Dr. Fleming laid
the foundation stone of this superb odllice, which overlooks
the city of St. John's, standing on a plot of ground of
about eleven acits that was obtained from the Government.
The site is one of the finest in the world for a building of
its kind, nearly, if not altogether, 300 feet over the sea,
facing the Atlantic, and crowning the pictures^ ae city, of
which it is the chief ornament. The voluntary labour and
subscriptions of the faithful people, especially of the ^^Sealors'*
and fishermen, continued from year to year, at length brought
the building to completion, and it was consecrated by Bishop
Mullock on the 9th of September, 1855.

The church, which is built in the style of a Roman
Basilica, is 246 feet, 6 inches long, and 186 feet, 6 inches
in the transept : and the facade is 99 feet wide. It is, with
the exception of the ambulatories, or low aisles, faced with
cut limestone from Galway, in Ireland, and the quoires,
mouldings, cornices, window-frames, and string and belt
courses, ai*e of Dublin granite. The fa<;ade is flanked by
two towers, 150 feet high; the nave and transept are 52 feet
wide, without including the pillars ; and the low side-aisles,
or, as they are called, ambulatories, open into the main build-
ing by a series of elegant arches. The walls are ornamented
with Corinthian pilasters, surmounted by a cornice 13 feet
wide : while the arches are artistically ornamented. The ceil-
ing of the nave, like many of those in Italy, is flat, enriched

ACCOUNT OF THE CONSECRATION OF TIIK

with elaborate centre-pieces: but that of tlic ambulntorics
forms a succession of groined arches, correspon(lin<r to the
arches that open into the nave. The apsi? of the church is
semicircular, and forms the clioir behind the great ahar:
and already eiglit other altars have been erected, all
ornamented with statuary. The four evangelists arc placed
v.t a height of jibout thirty feet from the ground, at the
intersection of the nave and transept. The great altar
is, perhaps, the finest specimen of art in the whole western
world. It stands apart at the intersection of the nave
and transept, isolated, like many of those in the ancient
churches of Rome. The altar and tabernacle arc faced
with white marble, the rest is of Caen stone, or a soft,
cream-coloured marble. A triumphal arch, or BaldichinOf
beautifully carved with wreaths, and the ceiling coffered in
rosetts, like the arch of Titus in the Roman Ibrum, is sur-
mounted by a group of angels bearing aloft the cross, at
a height of fifty-two feet from the floor of the church. This
canopy, or arch, is supported by eight monolithic columns
of polished granite. Under the arch, on an elevated pedestal,
is a colossal group of the baptism of our Saviour, executed
by Carcw, in Caen stone : by whom also are the group of
angels, and the infantine figures of angels, and a lamb, which
ornament the arch ; the remainder of the carving was ex-
ecuted by W. Sullivan. Under the high altar, which is open
in front, is placed Hogan's most superb work — the " Dead
Christ," executed in the purest Carrara marble. This splendid
figure, which will be the pride of Newfoundland for ages, is
the posthumous gift of Dr. Fleming. The sanctuary is paved
with marble ; and at the end of the apsis is another grand
altar, beautiful'y carved in Caen stone by Carao. Two side
altars in the transept, one dedicated to the Immaculate Con-
ception, the other to St. Francis, with colossal statues in
Caen stone, by Carao, add much, from their beauty and
magnitude, to the grandeur of the edifice. At the end of
the ambulatory every vista is closed by altars dedicated to
S. Patrick, S. Bridget, S. Joseph, and S. Anthony. All
these are ornamented with statues in marble, nearly seven

CATIIKDRAL OF ST. JOHN 8, NKWKOUNDT.AND.

feet high, of Italian workmanslnp. Fourteen reltevi, roprc-
senting the Stations of the Cross, in a nmteriul like j)ronzc,
are placed over the arches that open from the ambulatory
into the nave. The two monuments in ulto-irliivo, cxcjui-
sitely wrought by Hogan in the purest Carrara, are perfect
gems of art: the one was raised to Dr. Seallan by his suc-
cessor ; the other is about to be erected by the present
bishop in memory of the Right Rev. Dr. Fleming. The
great organ, containing fifty stops, many of them, as the
conka, fagotto, double diapasonj*, &.C., of extraordinary
power, is by far the finest ever erected on this side of
the Atlantic (the American), and ranks .unong tlic greatest
instruments of the world. Three great bells, of tlie united
weight of 90 cwt., are already placed in tlie towers;
and six more will complete the chime, when the means
can be obtained. The church plate, altar ornaments, candle-
sticks, and other furniture, arc in keeping with the magnifi-
cence of the building. Although over two hundred pews arc
placed in the church, still the great nave is perfectly open:
and the choir seats arc ranged in the apsis, behind the great
altar. Though the paintings are but few as yet, still they arc
highly ornamental, and, as works of art, of much merit. On
the eastern side of the cathedral, and attached to it by a
corridor, are the Presentation Convent and Schools, beautiful
buildings of granite and cut limestone, which cost over
£10,000. At the corresponding side, on the west, is the
episcopal residence, built likewise of cut stone, '.d worthy
both of the See and of the site it occupies. A female
orphanage is also built on the cathedral grounds.

During the ceremonies of the Consecration of the church,
and the Triduum of the Immaculate Conception, and until
the departure of the prelates, besides the one hundred flags
erected on masts in front of the cathedral and on its triumphal
arch, the Papal flag (Tiara, and cross keys), and a flag bearing
the arms of St. Francis, both more than twelve feet square,
were hoisted on the towers ; while the Episcopal flag (a red
cross on a white ground) floated over the centre cross of the
facade. The entire frontage of the buildings is more than

4 ACCOUNT OF THE CONSECRATION OF TilK

400 feet; and on the niglit of the Consecration they were
illuinii\fttCHl with ITilM) coloured lamps, besides several hun-
dred lanthorns lianj/ing in li'stoons tiom one tower to another.
The efl'ect was nmgicsil, and will long be remembered by
the people of Newfoundland.

The following accounts descriptive of the reception of the
bishops, the consecration ol' the church, the bancjuet given
by the Irish Society, and the departure of the prelates, are
taken from a local newspaper, the Newfoundlander.

AllRIVAL OF HIS ORACE, THE MOST REV. DR. HUGHES, ARCH-
BISHOP OF NEW YORK ; THE RIGHT REV. DR. CHARBONELL,
BISHOP OF TORONTO ; THE RIGHT REV. DR. CONNOLLY,
BISHOP OF NEW BRUNSWICK ; AND THE RIGHT REV. DR.
M'KINNON, BISHOP OF ARICIIAT.

" Tlie truly great event to which wc pointed in our last
number has since taken place. The illustrious princes of
the Church, with whose names it is our pride to grace this
notice, have arrived, and are in the midst of us — tlie guests
of their brother prelate, the Right Rev. Dr. Mullock. The
unprecedented honour thus conferred upon our fellow-
Catholics, as may well be imagined, renders this occasion
one of universal and intense interest. We have within late
years witnessed many times and incidents, which seemed to
have stirred the proverbial Catholic feeling of our commu-
nity from its lowest depths, but we challenge memory in
vain for enthusiasm so whole-souled, so all-absorbing, so
unutterable, as that which this visit has inspired. And
most just is the eloquent tribute to the magnitude of the
occasion, which now pulsates in every Catholic heart, and
seeks expression on every tongue. This is the magnificent
celebration of that triumph, the completion of our cathedral,
that glorious and monumental work, to which the labours,
the substance, and the aspirations of years have been so
yearningly devoted. What marvel, then, if, as we contem-
plate its beautiful colossal proportions, as it towers in proud

t'ATIlKDHAL OF 8T. JOHN H, NKWFDL'NDI.ANU.

:»

sup'remlncnce ovor the city, as wo poiuirr on its trcu!<iiros
of art, its inuny clogiint altars, itn ^pK-iulid or^Min — wliut
wonder, wi; say, if thu cunsuniination ol'.such a temple, in mucU
a country, and chieHy l>y t)iu liuniblest nieann, sliouid iill
the Houls of those wl»o reared it with f^ratitudc to heav(jn,
and with a welcome scarcely less sacred to tlioHC pastors of
the One Cluirch, * built upon the rock,' who, with apostolic
ardour, have come to crown and participate in our jubilation !
No: nmrvel indeed if it were not so; and the present numi-
lestations simply fuUil that which was of right expected,
wliich is happily characteristic of our people/'

TUE llECEPTION.

The subjoined communication to the Courier describes
the mode of reception of our distinguished visitors.

" The arrival of the packet on Monday evening, at eight
o'clock, having on board His Grace the Most Rev. Dr.
Hughes, Archbishop of New York; and their Lordships the
Right Rev. Dr. Charbonell, Bishop of Toronto; the Right
Rev. Dr. M'Kinnon, Bishop of Arichat; the Right Rev. Dr.
Connolly, Bishop of New Brunswick ; and two other clergy-
men, chaplains to the Archbishop and Dr. M'Kinnon,
brought to a climax an excitement which had pervaded the
community for several preceding days, in anticipation of the
visit of these distinguished dignitaries of the Roman Catho-
lic Church, who liavc come to take part in the ceremonies
of the consecration, on next Sunday, of the magnificent
cathedral which has been rais^ed, and now completed ; chiefly
by the contributions of the humble fishermen of the Island,
stimulated and encouraged by their zealous prelate and
priests. The preparations had been commenced suflic?.ently
early, so that the arrangements of the reception should be as
effective and suitable as possible ; and although the packet
was delayed by adverse weather, and did not arrive until
the darkness of night had set in, the different Roman Catho-

ACCOUNT OF THE CUNSKCRATION OF THE

lie nocietics — llio U«'nov(>lent Irinh, the MeclianicH', and the

CoOjKTS, witll tCMlS of tllOJISftlnlH oC tl»U ^ClUMul puUlio, WOFO

drawn up in lines ulon^' Wuter-strcct from tlic Packet
Wluirl", lor some time previouf*ly to the landing of the pre-

(1 so d(

the fullest

Jutes to wliom tlioy appeared so desirous ol pa^'ing
tribute of their veneration and rcs<peet.

"The signal at tlie hill whieh announced that the Steamer
was in sight, put the whole eity and suhurhs for many miles
in motion, and every street and rond poured in its living tide,
until ev(«ry available ppaee along the line of procession was
densely crowded, and every window and doorway were
throng(!d by eager and enthusiastic spectators. As the
steamer approached the harbour, the great bells of the
cathedral, together with those of tiie old chapel and of the
convents, pealed forth a joyous welcome, with an effect
rendered sublimely grand by the darkness of the night, and
simultaneously, although unpremeditated, the windows of
the houses along the line were brilliantly lighted, giving to
the occasion the appearance of an almost general illumina-
tion. At about a quarter past eight, His Grace and their
Lordships landed, and w^cre conducted by the Right Rev.
Dr. Mullock to the open carriages which he had in readi-
ness at the wharf for them ; they then moved on in proces-
sion through the long files of societies and people, the
carriage with the Archbishop and Dr. Mullock taking the
lead, amidst the most deafening and enthusiastic shouts of
welcome and applause, the streets being lighted not alone
by the gas lights and the illuminated windows, but also by
flaming torches, which gave to the procession a most pictu-
resque appearance. The carriages, followed by the band of
the Royal Newfoundland Companies, making the night
resound with melody, the societies in order of seniority
coming next, and the populace taking up the rear, pro-
ceeded along Water-street, and up Cochrane-street (which
was particularly brilliant, as almost every window in it
was lighted), round by Government House, before which
the cheering was immense ; and then along the Military-
road, where passing the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy, an

CATi!KOKAI. OF ST. JOHNS, NI^WFOUNDLANU. 7

vnthusiofltic cheer commenced, which waa taken up ami
continued along the line as it moved by, and then passing
throu<rh t\u; triumphal arch, erected by Dr. Mullock on
the (*ontincs of the great area of the Cathedral grounds i'or
the occasion, und which wus <iecorated by ihe national llags
ol' England, Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, and the United
States, and from the numerous and tastefully arranged lan-
terns of which a flood of light poured upon the vast assem-
blage, giving a partial, yet picture-like distinctness to the
objects around, the procession entered the Cathedral amidst
the pealing of bells, the firing of guns, and the martial strains
of music, and presenting a sight interesting and exciting,
unc(|uallod as it was unprecedented, in Newlbundland.

" The Archbishop, Bishops, and Priests proceeded directly
from their carriages to the high altar, and knelt for some
minutes in prayer, when His Grace ascended and gave his
benediction to the congregation, during which a sil ico
pervaded, which testified their appreciation of the solemnity
of the occasion. Dr. Mullock then addressed his flock, and
in accents which betrayed his deep emotion, thanked them
for the reception which they had given to the Archbishop
and Bishops, and requested them to retire to their homes."

Addresses were presented next day to the Prelates, by
the Benevolent Irisli Society, and the Mechanics' Society, to
each of which His Grace, the Archbishop, made an eloquent
and appropriate reply. On Wednesday a fete chnmpetre was
given to the Bishops, at Virginia Lodge, by the most res-
pectable of the Catholic inhabitants.

FETE CHAMPETRE.

" On yesterday their Lordships were entertained by a
number of the Catholic gentlemen of the town, at a fete
champetre at A^irginia, the seat of the Hon. Judge
Emerson. The distinguished strangers walked through
the grounds of this delightful spot, and expressed their

AeCOUNT OF THE CONSECRATION OF THE

admiration at the beauty of its scenery. On the lawn opposite
the Judge's residence, a large tent was erected, within which
a company of about one hundred and fifty ladies and gen-
tlemen sat down to dinner at five o'clock. It was of neces-
sity a hastily, but yet a well got up aflair, and all present
enjoyed it right heartily. After sundry inspiriting pops of
the champagne cork, and a sufficient circling of the board
by the after wines, the president, Hon. L. O'Brien, proclaimed
the commencement of the evening festivities in a loud call
for ' Music,' when the R.N.C. band struck up an air which
instantaneously dispersed the sitting portion of the company,
who retired to the drawing-room of Virginia, where they
were most hospitably welcomed by Mrs. Emerson and her
family. The lawn thus cleared for the dancers was joyously
occupied by them during the evening. A more gay and
spirited affair of the kind has seldom come off here."

■'I

PREPARATIONS.

" When we last addressed our readers, we endeavoured
to portray the feelings ot heart-felt enthusiasm pervading
our Catholic community upon the arrival of the distinguished
Prelates by whom we have been honoured, and the object
of their visit. Since then that feeling has attained a still
deeper intensity, and has extended itself far and near through
our several outport settlements. During the whole of last
week, the Catholic population of these localities poured in
in thousands — many of them from remote districts, and after
having encountered severe difficulties of travelling, but all
invigorated and inflamed by one sentiment, before which
hardships and impediments were as nothing — the longing
desire to witness the grand solemnity of Sunday last — the
Consecration of our Cathedral. In every instance in which
it was at all possible, the zealous priests of the outports came
to contribute to the- splendour of the spectacle; and on the
day or two before Sunday our thoroughfares were literally

CATHEDRAL OP ST. JOHNS, NEWFOUNDLAND. 9

thronged by, one would almost suppose the entire Catholic
population of the island. From early dawn on Sunday
morning, everything around denoted activt^ preparations for
the great event of the day. In whatever direction the eye
turned, crowds of people in holiday attire moved to-and-lro,
eager expectation and interest indicated in their countenances
and whole demeanour."

THE COySECRATION.

" At the appointed hour on Sunday morning, His Lord-
ship, Dr. Mullock, proceeded to the consecration. The
procession consisted of the following Prelates and Priests : —
His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Hughes, Archbishop of New
York, the Right Rev. Dr. Mullock, Right Rev. Dr. Char-
bonnell. Bishop of Toronto, Right Rev. Dr. Connolly, Bishop
of New Brunswick, Right Rev. Dr. M'Kinnon, Bishop of
Arichat, the Very Rev. Dean Mackin, Brigus, Rev. Mr.
M'Nervey, Secretary and Chaplain to Dr. Hughes, Rev.
Mr. M'Leod, Chaplain to Dr. M'Kinnon, Rev. Messrs. Walsh,
Foristal, O'Donnell, and Brennan, of St. John's, Rev. E.
Troy, Torbay; Rev. Mr. O'Connor, Portugal Cove, Rev.
Messrs. Dalton and O'Connor, Harbour Grace, Rev. John
Dalton, Carbonear, Rev. B. Duffy, Northern Bay, Rev. E.
O'Keefe, Harbour Maine, Rev. M. Scanlan, Kingscove, Rev.
P. Ward, Tilton Harbour, Rev. Mr. Walsh, Fogo, Rev. P.
Cleary, Bay Bulls, Rev. J. Murphy, Fermeuse, Rev. J.
Cummins, Ferryland, Rev. J. Ryan, St. Mary's, Rev. E.
Condon and Rev. P. Nowlan, Placentia, Rev. Mr. O'Neil,
Trepasscy.

" Having moved towards the front of the building, and the
Litany of the Gaints having been recited, the Bishop headed
the clergy, and went thrice round the church, sprinkling
the exterior walls with holy water, and reciting, during
these processions and the intervals between them, appropriate
prayers Possession having been taken of the church by

ACCOUNT OF THE CONSECRATION OF THE

the sign of the cross (whence proceeds all virtue, through
the merits of Him who suffered upon it) made upon the
threshold, the Bishop entered, and prostrating himself in the
middle of the church, intoned the Vent Creator, or " Spirit,
Creator of mankind." An immense cross, extending from.
the two angles formed by the pews to the angles formed by
the same pews near the sanctuary, had been traced during
the singing of the litanies, when God was invoked that He
might visit, confide to the guarding of the holy angels, con-
secrate, bless, and sanctify for his service, the temple and
the altar therein erected. Ashes had been spread at different
points upon the arms of the cross, wherein the consecrator
marked the different letters of the alphabet in Latin andGreek,
commencing at the left of the entrance on to the altar, and
at the right in the same manner.

" Then coming in front of the altar to be consecrated, the
consecrator sang Deus in adjutorium, &c., ' O God, incline
unto my aid,' and immediately commenced the benediction
of water, wine, and ashes, to mark with the sign of the cioss
the table of the about to be consecrated altar. The water
having been blessed, the procession formed again, and going
over, the consecrator made on the upper and lower interior
parts of the door the sign of the cross. The prayer to ac-
company this latter ceremony having been recited, the Prelate
returned whence he had departed, and commenced the con-
secration of the altar at the lower end of the sanctuary, first
signing with the wine, ashes, and water already prepared,
then sprinkling it with the same water as often as seven
diflferent times, afler which the clergy moved round the
interior walls of the church thrice, as they had done round
the exterior one in the beginning, the Pontiff sprinkling
pre-sanctified wine, ashes, and water, and reciting, both
during the processions, and at the intervals between them,
the prayers prescribed by the Pontifical.

" After these processions, the clergy from the altar went
to the principal entrance, the consecrator sprinkling the floor
with holy water, reciting the prescribed prayers. This being
done, he stood with his face towards the altar in the centre

CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHNS, NEWFOUNDLAND.

of the church, and having intoned an anthem, he sprinkled
once more *h loor with the pre-sanctified water ; first,
towards the en ., then towards the west, afterwards towards
the north, and last towards the south. Here followed a
prayer recited by the consecrator, liis face looking towards
the principal entrance, be«»ging of God that He would dedi-
cate, and glorify, and illuminate with his holy light the edifice
erected in his honour ; that He would receive with mercy,
protect, hearken unto, ^reserve and render happy, and keep
in the profession of the Holy Trinity, and in the bosom of
the Church, all those who should ever therein adore him.

" Having again called down the mercy of God on all those
who should invoke him in his holy Temple, the consecrator
approached the altar, and prepared the cement destined to
seal the sepulchre, or opening of the altars, where the relics
of the saints are placed, and immediately afterwards went
for these same relics. The consecrator having addressed
all present, and one of the clergymen read the decrees of
the Council of Trent as in the Pontifical, and the conse-
crator having made the sign of the cross with chrism on the
outside of the door of the main entrance, the procession
moved again towards the altar.

" Arrived at the altar, and having previously recited
the prayers prescribed, the Bishop anointed the four angles
of the opening made for the relics with chrism, placed
therein the relics of the saints, presented incense, and sign-
ing the small tablet to be placed over them with the same
holy oil, closed the sepulchre, in the meantime reciting the
appointed prayers, after which one of the clergy continued
to present incense when it was not presented by the Prelate
in person. Then followed three unctions of the table, twice
with the oil of catechumens, and once with holy chrism —
prayers and incense accompanying; having again, with appro-
priate prayers, anointed the altar, with a mixture of the
two holy oils, the consecrator, preceded by the clergy,
anointed twelve crosses placed in different parts of the in-
terior walls of the church, saying the prayer at each unction,
and offering, at the same, incense as prescribed.

ACCOUNT CF THE CONSECRATION OF THE

■;

*' The procession having returned to tlie sanctuary, the
Bishop blessed tlie incense to l)e burned on the newly con-
secrated altar; snrcad it on the altar where the different
unctions had been, and then placed over it a small burning
Avax taper made in the form of a cross. This ceremony and
the prayei-s accompanying it were follow^ed by two other
unctions, one at the front of the altar, the other at the four
angles formed by the sepulchre or base of the altar, and the
upper part or table; these two unctions and the prayers
accompanying them closed the ceremony of the consecration
of the church and of the principal altar.

" The two side ultars w^ere consecrated by the Right Kev.
Bisliop, Dr. Charbonnoll of Toronto, and by the Right Rev.
Bishop M'Kinnon, of Arichat."

PROCESSION, HIGH MASS, SERMON, ETC.

" At half-past 11 o'clock, the procession, composed of the
Bishops and Clergy, and a large number of boys, cross
bearers, &c. in surplices, formed at the Presentation Con-
vent, and came slowly round to the grand entrance of the
Cathedral, through a passage made amidst the largest con-
course ever yet assembled even on the same grounds. The
procession now entered the Cathedral, and after it followed
the dense multitude. The coup d'ceil at this moment was
august and beautiful in the extreme. The grand and side
altars splendidly lighted ; lights also at close intervals
through the nave and aisles; the Prelates and long array
of priests attired in their richest vestments ; the vast con-
gregation occupying every inch of the church, and waving
like a sea, yet withal breathless with attention — the whole
spectacle was of that sublimely imposing order which at
once profoundly subdues the heart, and elevates the soul to
contemplations beyond this world.

" The procession having entered the sanctuary. His Grace
and the Right Rev. Dr. Mullock occupied seats on a throne at
the Gospel side of the altar, their Lordships, Drs. JVrKinnon

■$

:■£!

CATHEDRAL OF ST. JoIIN ^, NEWFOUNDLAND.

i:\

and Charbonnell taking corresponcllng pluoes opposite. Pon-
tifical High Mass was now begun by the Right liev. Dr.
Connolly, assisted by the Rev. Mr. M'Leod as assistant
priest, Rev. Messrs. O'Donnell and O'Connor as deacons of
honour, Rev. Messrs. Dalton and Foristal as deacon and
sub-deacon, and the Rev. Mr. M'Nervcy master o4' cere-
monies. At the Gospel, His Grace Dr. Hughes, Arch-
bishop of New York, ascended the pulpit, and pronounced
the following most erudite and elegant discourse on the
subject of the day's solemnities. His Grace's clear and
distinct enunciation conveying his words to every ear.

THE SERMON.

"Now, faith is tlie stibstance of the things to be hoped for, the evidence of tiie
things that appear uot." IIeu. xt. 1.

If there be any one in this vast assemblage who has not
seen, but has desired to see, a monument of Catholic faith,
to-day he has but to raise his eyes and look around, for this
is, indeed, a monument of Catholic faith. Its erection and
completion would have been impossible, except by a people
who believe. Without that faith, alluded to in the text,
the existence of this magnificent Cathedral could not be
accounted for, in the centre of a community principally
made up of poor but laborious fishermen, and in a city, as it
may now be called, which was known but yesterday or the
day before, merely as a fishing station. This is a Cathedral
of which any city in Europe or the world might be proud.
Its plan was projected on a scale of surpassing magnitude ;
its foundations were laid broad and deep, on this elevated
site, commanding a prospect of unsurpassed beauty. It rose
on these foundations to the elevation which its proportions
required; and, as it surrounds us this day, we are struck
with admiration at the solidity, fitness, and elegance which
art has distributed and embodied on every side. For rich-
ness of material and perfection of design, its altar is unrivalled
on the Western side of the Atlantic ocean ; whilst, on what-
ever side we look, we behold the pillar of strength modulated

'^P^r

ACCOUNT OP THE CONSECRATION OF THE

« I

'< ?

p I

I i

* I

into the arch of beauty. I repeat, tlien, that even as a public
edifice — as a specimen of architecture, there is no city in the
world which might not be proud of such a building as the
Cathedral of St. John's, which has just been consecrated.
And by whom has this noble Cathedral been erected? By
the fishermen of Newfoundland — by the hardy sons of toil,
possessing little of this world's substance, but unspeakably
rich in the divine inheritance of Catholic faith. It was
they who cheered on the work from its commencement;
it was they who, year after year, contributed liberally
from their scanty earnings during its progress ; and it is they
who have the best right to exult in the triumphant comple-
tion of a great work begun and sustained throughout by the
unwavering impulse which is derived from the spirit of faith.
Most of you remember the day on which your late apos-
tolic Bishop laid the corner stone of this Cathedral. In
doing so, he exemplified the whole meaning of the Apostle
in the words of my text. According to human view there
were no means to carry out the gigantic purpose which lie
had conceived. He had but the benediction of Heaven and
the support of his poor, but believing pt'bple to rely upon.
Yet, strong in the meaning of the inspired apostle, he knew
that " faith was the substance of things to be hoped for ; the
evidence of things that did not appear." Hence, in a large
spirit, and with a strong heart, he commenced the work,
undaunted by the prospective difficulties and even disappoint-
ments that were to be encountered in the progress of its
execution. It may be said of him, as of the royal prophet —
" How he swore to the Lord, he vowed a vow to the God of
Jacob ; if I shall enter into the tabernacle of my house, if I
shall go up into the bed wherein I lie, if I shall give sleep
to my eyes, or slumber to ray eyelids, or rest to my temples,
imtil I find out a place for the Lord, a house for the God of
Jacob." — PsAL. cxxxi. 2, 3, 4. Like the royal prophet, too,
he passed from the scene of his earthly labours without
having witnessed the final accomplishment of his holy
purpose. Had he been spared to witness what we behold
this day, he would hare regarded it as a sufficient earthly

CATUKDRAL OF ST. JOHNS, NEWFOUNDLAND.

was

recompense for the toils, anxieties, and solieitude which he
underwent, and in which he sacrificed his lioalth, and perhaps
his life. But it pleased Almiglity (io«l to ordain otherwise,
and to call him to his heavenly reward. It must have been
a consolation to him, however, to know that whilst he re-
signed his spirit into the hands of his Creator, he transmitted
to a successor of his own choice the episcopal charge of his
beloved flock and the unfinished task which he had so nobly
begun. That successor, called of God to his high office,
was specially qualified for the charge. He brought to it
the same ardent faith and piety, a mind most richly stored
with ecclesiastical learning and general information ; ho
brought to it the energies of youth, and of a robust constitu-
tion, as well as a moral temperament particularly qualified
and competent to encounter difficulties of whatever descrip-
tion — and thus qualified, he took up the great work which
his predecessor had begun, and bore it onward and onward,
until to-day he has the consolation of witnessing its final
and triumphant accomplishment. On all this, my Lord
Bishop of Newfoundland, 1 offer you my congratulations;
I ofier them to the devoted clergy of your diocese, who
stood faithfully by your side ; 1 offer them to the faithful
people over whom you are appointed, and whom you govern
with so much spiritual advantage to themselves, so much
honour to the episcopal order, and to our holy religion ; and
I say that, considering the means by which It has been erected,
this monument of Catholic faith has not been surpassed, nor
perhaps equalled, by anything to be foimd in the annals of
the Christian Church.

Do not suppose, dearly beloved brethren, that in making
these remarks, I wish to excite in you any feeling of vain-
glory ; such a feeling would detract from the merit of the sacri-
fices you have already made. But silence on my part would
be affectation, for the very stones of this edifice proclaim
eloquently the truth of what I say. No doubt, the wealthier
portion of your brethren on shore have contributed liberally,
and probably the same has been done by persons not of our
communion. From their merit in tlils I would not detract,
but the secret of success in erecting this Cathedral, nay, the

ACCOUNT OF TIIK CONSKCRATION OF TIIK

very basis of your commercial prosperity, is traceable to the
industry of those hardy and adventurous sons of the billow,
the fishermen of Newfoundland. They went forth, year
after year, to reap their precarious and perilous harvest from
the depths of the sea ; and year after year they returned,
bearing, not the gleanings, but the rich sheaves, to lay them
as offerings upon the altar of God, for the erection of a ta-
bernacle to his name. Faith, and faith alone, could have
inspired and sustained them during the progress of this
glorious undertaking.

When I speak of faith in the sense of the apostle, as
quoted in our text, I mean that divine principle of belief as
it operates in the hearts of living men. It was the same in
the breasts of our forefathers whilst they lived ; but now that
they are gone from this earth, faith, by which they lived in
their day and generation, has ceased for them, and been
replaced by knowledge. All the truths of revelation are
divine objects of faith, things which we are bound to believe.
They are true in themselves, because they have been revealed
by God, and were true before we were called into existence.
Hence they are objects of our faith, as distinguished from
the actual faith itself, which exists as a living principle in
our hearts. Again, the Church divinely instituted is at
once the guardian and the witness of the doctrines of reve-
lation, which we have to believe as objects of faith. Her
uniform, perpetual, and infallible testimony constitutes the
motive or groundwork of our belief. Thus it was in the
days of the apostles: their divine Master proposed to them
truths of revelation which it was necessary they should believe ;
and the gospels refer continually to this topic of " belief and
unbelief" among those who heard the divine word from the
lips of our Saviour himself. The teachings of Christ, there-
fore, were the objects of divine faith to his apostles and
disciples. They believed ; and the motive of their belief
was the veracity and divinity of their blessed Lord. They
knew by his miracles that he was a teacher sent of God ;
and when he proposed to them the mysteries of Christianity,
the doctrine of the Trinity of persons in the Godhead, the
doctrine of the Incarnation — of the adorable Eucharist — of

CATUKDUAL OF ST. JOHN «, XKWFOL'NDLAND.

the infallibility of liis Church, and lier ilunition until tiic
consummation of tlic world — tlioy did not speculate on the
ddctrinc — they did not reuson — they did not disp\ite — they
believed. The word of Ciirist was the motive of their belief.
And this faith is so much a part, nay, so much the very
foundation of our reconciliation with our offended Creator,
that the apostle declares it "impossible without it to please
God;" and our Saviour says, "he that belie vctli and is baptized
shall be saved — he that bclievcth not shall be cond«;nmed."
It was by this faith that the lishevmen of Chdilec, after their
vocation and the descent of the Holy Ghost, became the
apostles by whose life and labours the glad tidings of reve-
lation were communicated to the ends of the earth. They
and their associates and their successors have constituted the
body of oflieial witnesses to testify and declare at all times
what were the doctrines revealed to them by Christ. Their
testimony has been unbroken, perpetual, and ubiquitous,
wherever the faith of their blessed Master has prevailed.
From day to day, from year to year, from generation to
generation, from century to century, the unanimous voice
of those appointed witnesses, the apostles and their successors,
though dispersed throughout Christendom, has been heard
publishing the same doctrines of revelation, and condemning
the errors which might spring up, claiming falsely to have
been revealed by the Saviour. The members of this divinely
constituted body of witnesses passed successively, -one by
one, from the scene of their earthly and apostolic labours;
but the body itself continued — became enlarged and extended
on every side, as nation after nation submitted to the sweet
yoke of Jesus Christ. Now, this external organization of
the Church is the mode and form under which its Redeemer
provided that the doctrines revealed by him, and which
constitute the objects of our faith, should be transmitted to
us and to those who shall come after us, under the infallible
attestation of witnesses appointed by him, and guaranteed
by the promise of his own presence with them, in order that
we too may believe and have eternal life. Thus, we know
from the Evangelists that out of the multitude of disciples

ACCOUNT OF THK CONSKCRATION OF TIIF.

who l)cHcvo(l, Christ selected twelve to be apostles, ami
communicated to thom the prerogatives of his own ministry,
not indeed, tliat tlioy should become tho revealers of new
d' i rines, but that they should be perpetual witnesses of those
wliich they had leumed from him. Among these twelve
he selected one, namely, Peter, and constituted him person-
ally as the rock on which his Church should perpetually
rest. To him alone he said: "Thou art Peter, and upon
this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall
not prevail against it." To him alone he said: " Thou being
once converted, confirm thy brethren." To him alone he
said: " Feed my lambs, feed my sheep" — that is: To thee I
give primacy and supreme authority over the entire sheep-
fold, of which I am the good Shepherd. Here, therefore,
we behold the external form and organization of the Christian
Church — the disciples, the apostles, and the divinely-appoint-
ed chief of all, St. Peter. That little flock has continued,
and under this external organization has enlarged itself to
the ends of the earth, presenting itself at all times under the
identical form which it received from the Divine Pastor.
Here, to-day, and everywhere, are the faithful disciples of
our Lord. Here and everywhere throughout Christendom
are the bishops of the Church, who have succeeded the
apostles ; but not here nor everywhere is the successor of
Peter, but only in the See which the blessed Chief of the
apostles founded in Rome ; and which, since the establish-
ment of Christianity, has been the centre of Catholic unity —
the seat of apostolic primacy and universal supremacy over
the Church of Christ. This Church has been the ever-living,
ever -speaking, ever-judging, and determining witness of
the truths which Christ revealed, and which are proposed
to one generation after another as the objects of our living
and active faith. It is by faith, and, if necessary, baptism,
that we are individually brought into communion with the
Church. It is through the witnessing of the Church, and
the grace of the sacraments, of which she is the depositary
and the dispenser, that we are individually brought into
communion with our divine Redeemer ; and it is through

CATUBURAL OK HT. JOHN H, NKWFUl'N|)LANI).

II*

his merits, coininunicatccl to us })y the medium of the Cliurcli,
in the ^racc of fuilh itself and of the gucriuuent?, that we arc
brought into communion witli his Eternal Father. Oh,
wliut a poor, I had aWnost said he<:garly, eonecption of the
Incarnation and ministry of Cliribt must tlmt man have who
restricts it to the few days of Ids mortal life, and to the limited
sphere of his personal mission in an obscure province of the
Roman empire. For him thcFoumler of Clivistiuiiity prcuclied
the word of life, and performed miracles, during only a period
of three years; for him the Incarnation and ministry of the
Redeemer are but a transitory apj)arition, of which certain
incidents have been historically prcicrved and recorded in
the inspired pages of the four Evangelists; for him the pre-
servation of the Scriptures, and the privilege of" interpreting
them as best each one may, are all the work of Christ that
survived his crucifixion on Mount Calvary. If he reads, ho
does not understand the intimate relations which Christ
established between himself and his ever-living and ever-
teaching representatives, namely, the apostles and their suc-
cessors united with their supreme Chief on earth, Peter and
the Bishops of Rome who have succeeded him. To them,
in the persons of the apostles, he declared that " all power
was given to him in heaven and on earth," and in the exercise
of that power he commanded them to " go forth, and teach
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe
all things whatsoever he had commanded them," declaring,
at the same time, that he would " be with them all days,
even to the consummation of the world," adding elsewhere
that those who should " hear them should hear him ; and
those who despise them should despise him ; and those who
should despise him should despise the Father who sent him."
All this had taken place years before any portion of the New
Testament was written ; and in such language it is clear that
our blessed Saviour instituted the outward form of his Church,
and promised his divine and perpetual presence, in order to
carry on, through her instrumentality, and to diflfuse to tlie
very ends of the earth the works of his own ministry, and

ACCOr.NT I'F TIIK (OXSKtlUilON OK fllK

tho morifs of Ins pncrifljv on tlio cross for thr ro<l< mption of
rniinkind. Kuitli, tlicii, is tlio iinwiiv<MinLr suid futirc assriit
oCoiir midcrstimiliiiL' to tlu' triitlis wliicli (Jod luis rcveulrd,
niid wliicli his Ciuiivli Ims borne <lo\vn to 11!=", ns u ilivinuly-
comini.s.sioned and inlullihlo witness. (Jonscqucnily, that
boliol', or persuasion, ns it is soinelimos culled, which i*e8ts
upon liuinan reasoning, upon high prol)ul)ility, upon opinion,
upon the interpretation which wc, us individuals, put upon
the pages of Holy Writ, upon, in short, tiny other foundation
except the infallible teaching of the Church, which Christ
appointed for the purpose of bearing witness to the truths
revealed by him, is not, and cannot be called, Divine Fuitli.
Wc may turn our attention now to a contemplation of
the changes that have been wrought in the character and
life of nations as well as of individuals, who have been blessed
with the heavenly gift of faith. Under tliis view wc may
consider tho devotion, the zeal, the sufTering, and the martyr-
dom of the Apostles, in attestation of tlic truths which they
preached and propagated throughout the world. During
the first three hundred years of our era, every species of per-
secution unto death was put in reiMiisition by the Roman
empire, for the vain purpose of sustaining paganism, and ex-
tinguishing the faith of Christ in tlie blood of those who
professed it. Many of tlie successors of St. Peter, during
those days of pagan cruelty and Christian heroism, con-
firmed the truths of revelation which they had received and
preached, by the testimony of their blood, under the hand
of the V xecutioncr. Not only the Pontiffs, but also the
priests and laity of the Church — the Christian nobleman —
the Christian slave — the citizen — the soldier — the lau'i of
grey hairs and the tender virgin, in short, victims ■>> ('\i •
rank, and of every class, were sought out, given over to tor-
tures ari to death, in tlie vain hope of extinguishing the
faith and appeasing the ferocity of a pagan people and of the
fabulous gods v^ their fal'ing empire. The Church beheld
and suifercd tho,>e ^ lelties, but her mission was to preach
the truths whicli (, wrist had -evealcd, and she could neither
cease from her lab juir, nor make any compromise to appease

CATIIKIHIAI. Oh i'T. JDIIN f<, XKWKOL'NDI.ANI*

ll»o unpor of tht» rul«'rs of thi» worUl. The inrtitynlom of
lior chlldmi, tliouj/li uii uli'iction in uiu.' scnnc, wiw t(» lu-r a
.il»i«'c't of tiiumj)h ; an<l ir at unv tliuc a tear Htooil in her
»!Ve, »»r a bhi.sli (lilKuH'il itf<i'i( )ver lu i i,ie<'k countt'niuu'o, it
WHS when some child olhcr'n, t<>o '•'Cak U> iH'ur the tortures,
luid recourse to apostucy, and saved the hi<' of the body !>
denying' tlie Trutli that hud been revealed, ind of which
alie was the witness.

Aft'-r tlie close of this lonir pci-sccui i md when the
^|la^tor of the l{onian empire liiniseU bccuni a disciple of tlie
cr<.>.'':>, and translcrred its symbol us the mo^r <,doriou9 jewel
in tlie imperial diadem, the Ciiurch, in beaiing witness to
the trutiis ol' revelation, had to encounter new adve -arlcs
and new dani,'ers. The centuries succtieding tht conversion
of Constantino wore the most remarkable for the piin^jing
up of heresies immediately or remotely conn*.'ctei for the
most part with the mystery of the Incarnatit)n. tli pers-on,
nature, and attributes of our Lord himself The authois of
these heresies were generally men oi' much h.irni'g and
intellectual capacity. Pride, which is adverse to tl. ; sim-
plicity of taith, was in their hearts, the subtleties of -agan
philosophy in tlicir understandings. Whether consei »usly
or not, they attempted to adulterate the deposit of faith, and
to propagate as doctrines of Christianity truths which C irist
had not revealcil. The necessity of combating these ci rors
«'ave occasion to those immortal writint^s which have done
so much lor tlie illustration of the real doctrines of Christi-
anity, and to whose testimony succeeding ages have so con-
stantly rc'lerred. Tiieir authors were what arc commonly
called th' • " Fathers of the Church." But not by their writings
alone did the successors of the apostles bear witness to the
truths of revelation, and a.'zainst the novelties of error. Coun-
cils — convoked and presided over by the successorof St. Peter,
or hi iniiuediate representative — assembled, in which the
bisht'ps ol tiie (Church recorded their testimony in favour of
the truth, and against the heresies of the innovators. During
these ige= the Church contbunded the pride of those who,
prolessing (alln 'licit v . yet chafed under the yoke of divine

ACCOUNT OF THE CONSECRATION OF THE

faith. She confounded the pride of the rebellious intellect, and
expelled from her borders the attempted admixture of a pagan
philosophy, which even some individual bishops of her com-
munion had sought to infuse into the pure and simple teach-
ings of the Christian religion. Thus, after having triumphed
over brute force, as wielded by pagan persecutors, for three
hundred years, she triumphed again over the sly, seductive,
but dangerous subtleties of the proud and perverted intellects
of heresiarchs, , i^o disturbed her peace by their various
atttx.ipts to seduce her children from the paths of divine
truth into the labyrinths of human error. A third struggle
was in store for her. She had purified and renovated such
civilization as pagan Rome had established in Italy and
Southern Europe. But the empire itself was in progress of
dissolution. New tribes, new hordes, new peoples, without
civilization, except of the rudest type, were breaking into
the various departments of what had once been the Roman
Empire. Tliey were for the most part barbarians and ido-
lators, or, if they had any notion of Christianity, it was derived
from an erroneous source. They poured in from the North
in irresistible torrents. Wave after wave of such populations
swept over the land, carrying away all that was destructible
— the bark of Peter alone being enabled to resist the torrent,
and rise to the surface of the flood. When their irruptions
liad partially ceased, she had a new struggle to sustain, not
now against learning and perverted knowledge, but against
rudeness, ignorance, barbarism, and military ferocity. Yet
she educated those barbarians, she civilized them, she imbued
them with a knowledge of the Christian doctrine, and under
her fostering care they became the germs of the civilized
and Catholic nations of Europe, as they are to-day. This
again was the triumph of faith. She proposed to them, as
an infallible witness, the doctrines which her Divine Founder
had commanded her to teach all nations ; and on her testimony
they believed. Again Europe had emerged gradually from
this condition of ignorance of all but the Christian doctrine
into a period of renovated science and knowledge. The
improvement was the work of the Church, the indirect

CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN S, NEWFOUNDLAND.

consequences of the belief in the Christian religion. And
now let the Church prepare for another contest not less cal-
culated to test her invincibility than those which had pre-
ceded.* New licresies are broaclicd and promulgated by-
certain proud biit rebellious cliildren whom she herself had
cherished in her bosom. These last errors were too irrational,
too clumsily supported by their authors, to be of any lasting
consequence, if secular governments had not taken advantage
of them for the attainment of secular and political ends.
Whilst Christendom was united, the exercise of irresponsible
and despotic power by sovereigns was hardly practicable in
the presence of the Church, and under the supervision of
the Holy See. Kings and rulers, though supremo in their
own department, yet, as professing members of the Catholic
Church, were held bound by her laws to the observance of
at least the great moral precepts of the Christian faith. They
could not, with her sanction, violate the sacredness of the
marriage bond ; they could not violate their lawful oaths, or
become public perjurers, or despotic tyrants, crushing the
people whom they were only appointed to govern, and not
to ojipress. This was deemed a bondage from which royalty
in many instances took advantage of the distractions in the
Church, as an opportunity to relieve and emancipate itself
Tlie errors of the innovators in their several countries were
soon blended with the policy of the state in which they lived ;
and their followers, if not themselves, have been obliged by
the power of the state to adopt such modifications, such ad-
ditions, or diminutions of the doctrines committed by our
Saviour to the guardianship and the witnessing of the Church,
as their temporal rulers were pleased to authorize. Again,
the powers of the state were applied in the forms of reward
and penalties to seduce the children of faith from allegiance
to the Church, and transform them into vassals who were
expected to bow down before the image which the sovereigns
had set up. Our forefathers in the great empire of which
you are now an important colony were no strangers to this
political system of rewards and punishments. But they were
men of faitli in their day. They suflercd martyrdom when

ACCOUNT OF THE CONSECRATION OF THE

the occasion demanded it. They suffered the loss of property,
of position, of reputation itself, rather than recognize in a
mere secular government the spiritual rights, and power, and
authority which the Saviour of the world conferred upon
his Church alone ; and so they suifered loss of all things, that
they might preserve the heavenly inheritance of faith, and
transmit the same to their descendants. The contest, if not
over, is much abated in violence ; and in the presence of that
empire and of mankind wo may say with the Apostle, St.
John, " Tliis is the victory which conquereth the world, our
faith." I need not tell you, dearly beloved brethren, that
faith alone is not enough lor salvation ; it must be accompanied
by good works. It must manifest itself in the exercise of
those virtues which it suggests, and of which it is the foun-
dation and tlie support. It must be the reliance of holy
liope, and the groundwork of divine charity. The Council
of Trent speaks of faith as the " basis of good works," and as
" the root of justification." And the Church has ever taught,
in the language of the apostle, that " faith without works is
dead in itself." What is the secret of the devoted zeal which
through all ages has prompted, and still prompts, the apos-
tolic missionary to forsake the endearments of home, and to
give his labours and his life for the conversion of men who
liave never heard the name of Christ? What has inspired
the martyrs with the heroism which enabled them to triumph
over death ? What Is it that has sustained, and still sustains,
those great bencfiictors of the human race, those unappre-
ciated servants of God, who devote themselves to the miti-
gation of human suffering, at the sacrifice of worldly comfort,
and even of life itself? It is charity bearing evidence to
laith.

To this faith, operating through charity, we must trace
the origin of those great monuments of departed generations
with which Europe is studded from one eminence, so to
speak, to another — those minsters, as they are called in
England, those cathedrals, monasteries, convents, hospitals,
and orphan asylums, which are found on the Continent.
Those are, indeed, monuments of faith, that still speak for

CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHNS, NEWFOUNDLAND.

the belief of our religious ancestors. They are the results
of faith, wrought out through social co-operation into glorious
evidences of humanity, improved, purified, and elevated into
works of divine charity. Their foundations were laid deep
in the earth; their domes, their turrets, and their spires
pointed towards heaven, as if pleading to God that he might
pardon the sins of the earth, and thus, like lightning rods
in modern science, turning aside, or suspending, at least, the
divine vengeance against the iniquities of the world. They
were not the creation of mere secular governments. The
expenditure which they involved was not derived from taxes
decreed by civil legislation, and extorted in the name of the
state from unbelieving or unwilling contributors. Their
expenses were borne by the offerings of charity and of faith,
proceeding from many hands and many hearts, as a voluntary
tribute offered for the love of God and the love of man. All
these, as mere material structures, were, in their day of con-
secration, like this your own glorious cathedral, monuments
of faith.

But it is not in the founding of those institutions that the
highest evidences of the power of that faith are to be looked
for. A slight acquaintance with the history of the Church
will satisfy any one that the power of faith working by charity
was yet more effectually illustrated in the consecration of
individuals to the great labour of serving God and man by
a perpetual sacrifice of themselves in works of charity by
which such service could be sustained. Humanity in some
of those ages was borne down under a dense cloud of igno-
rance. And in presence of this you behold men and women,
themselves educated, and sometimes of high rank, devoting
themselves, for the love of God and the love of man, to the
life-long labour of instructing others. The aged and desti-
tute, the sick and wounded, the forsaken in infancy, the
Christian captive under the dominion of the infidel master,
in short, the various calamities or afflictions to which man-
kind arc exposed, presented, as they still present, occasions
for the exorcise of holy charity resting on the basis of divine
faith. Here is the key of those various religious orders that

ACCOUNT OF THK CONSKCRATION OF TIIK

liave existed and still exist in the Cluircli, some devoting
themselves to this phase of human suffenng, some to that,
some to another, until at last you behold faith and charity
taking up and assuming voluntarily the mitigation, and, so
to speak, sanctification of all the sullerings to which humanity
is liable. Under the iniluence of these divine gifts of faith
and charity, the calamities of mankind have been, as it were,
scientiiically arranged and classified under their respective
heads. By the influence of the same divine gifts operating
in the hearts of individuals, there has always been in the
various religious orders a succession of volunteers to under-
take the work specially contemplated by their institution.
Not only were they inspired to undertake the work, often-
times of a nature most discouraging and most repulsive, but
they were sustained in its execution from youth to old age,
and that without any recompense, except the recompense of
faith, which is, according to the Apostle, " the substance of
things to be hoped for, tlie evidence of things that appear
not." To the mere human eye they seemed but as instructors
for the ignorant, nurses for the sick, substitutes for the Chris-
tian captive, when they caused the manacles of bondage to
be stricken from his hands, and f listened on their own, sisters
to the recovered penitents of their own sex, mothers to the
destitute orphan ; and to the world it has ever appeared a
mystery how such persons could devote themselves to such
labours without the prospect of any human recompense.
But the explanation is, that they were illumined by the
light of divine faith, and sustained by the fire of holy charity.
To them the very toils which they had to undergo were "the
substance of things to be hoped for," the very objects of their
solicitude and care were to them the " evidence of things
that appear not." The Redeemer had declared that what-
soever they should do for one of the least of his brethren
should be done for himself; and, consequently, their services
in all the departments of Christian charity were ultimately
directed as if to tlie very person of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ, lie appeared not, but by faith he was evident
to them in the person of every suffering member of humanity.

CATUEDllAL OF ST. JOHN S, NEWFOUNDLAND.

■27

• All these laboured in communion with, and in subjection
to the Holy Catholic Church. Outside of her communion
nothing of the kind has ever been, or can ever be, witnessed
Wherever civil governments have usurped tlic functions and
authority of the Church, charity in its true sense has dis-
appeared, and faith has been replaced by mere human opinion,
involving speculation, doubt, and infidelity. Previous to
their sacrilegious usurpation of ecclesiastical supremacy in
their several states, the poor were abundantly provided for
by the voluntary offerings of a believing people. After such
usurpation the fountains of charity were dried up, and legal
coercion was necessary to provide relief for the victims of
destitution. Instead of the ancient establishments for their
relief, we behold for the first time the grim workhouse, ex-
hibiting more of the prison than of the asylum ; we behold
voluntary poverty for Christ's sake treated witii derision, and
the victims of involuntary destitution, if not permitted to
*^ unrelieved, relieved in such a manner as would imply
the punishment of crime no less than the relief of want.

I need hardly remind you, my dear brethren, that the
inculcation of the principles of divine faith and of holy charity
from this day forward is the great supernatural object for
which this noble cathedral has been this day consecrated.
Here, before this altar, on this ground, now blessed and sanc-
tified in the work of Christ, as the earth itself hnd been cursed
in the work of Adam, you will make known your petitions
to God, abiding in his Holy Tabernacle. Here you will
listen to the words of eternal life from the chief pastor whom
God has placed over you, or the priests by him commissioned
— here, in short, you will find lor your souls a harbour of
perfect rest and tranquillity, in which you will invoke the
divine blessing and the divine protection against the storms
and the dangers of the elements, which, in your humble but
most important industry, you will have to encounter. The
fact of your having erected this magnificent edifice to the
glory of God is an evidence both of your faith and of your
charity. It exhibits these as the characteristic of the Catholic
inhabitants of your island. The inhabitants of other lands

ACCOUNT OF THE CONSECRATION OF THE

,V 1

raay erect palaces lor their sovereigns, which will indicate
in their grandeur the existence of national wealth and of
national pride. The merchants ol" great cities may conspire
in the construction of puhlic buildings for the purposes of
regulating commerce and exchange ; all such structures pro-
claim the earthly principle from which they are derived,
and the earthly purpose to whicli they are dedicated. Useful
they may be, and no doubt are ; but if traced to their lowest
foundation, they will be found to rest upon the basis of mere
worldly pride or interested selfishness. Not so with an edifice
like this. A cathedral is an exception among public build-
ings ; its purpose, its object, and the motives which prompted
its erection, must all be estimated by a standard entirely
different from that of those public buildings whose origin
and end are limited by earth and time. This cathedral is
the product of voluntary offerings from those who expect
no return of the capital or interest invested in it — who expect
no remuneration, no privilege, other than the sacred privilege
of worshipping God beneath its mighty dome.

The bishops from other dioceses who have the happiness
to be here to-day have witnessed a spectacle worthy the ages
of faith. When we return to our respective homes, we shall
make known how the fishermen of Newfoundland, who go
forth on the rocking billows to prosecute the development of
a most important department of industry amidst the tempests
and dangers of the ocean — how these fishermen, I say, have
been able, from their scanty earnings, to economize, and to
create a fund sufficient to rear this magnificent temple as a
tabernacle to the God of Jacob.

Yet even this grand edifice, solid as it is, will perish. But
you, dearly beloved brethren, are to be living stones in the
everlasting temple which is not reared by human hands;
you are sustained now by that faith which is " the substance
of things to be hoped for, the evidence of things which appear
not." Let it be your care to secure the end for which you
were created, an eternal abode in that better world where
faith will be no longer necessary — where neither tempest,
nor suffering, nor disappointment, can reach — where you

CATIIKDRAL OF ST. JOHNS, NKWFOUNDLAND.

'2i)

will be aggregated to the glorious company of the paints
and martyrs, and confessors, and virgins — where you will
sec with your eyes God our Saviour, and near him, but
elevated above all created beings, his ever blessed Virgin
Mother, who has been figuratively and beautifully termed
" Star of the Sea." Her sweet name is familiar to your lips
— It is often in your hearts. Her intercession you invoke
in the moment of danger, and as a safeguard against temp-
tation. She is nearly related to the Incarnation of our divine
Saviour. She is the most perlect of all God's creatures,
preserved from every stain of original and ol' actual sin.' And
under her powerl'ul patronage 1 invoke upon you the blessing
of Almighty God, In time and in eternity, as the only
adequate reward of your labours In the erection oi' this
glorious monument of your faith and your charity.

" The Music at the High Mass, the Te Deum, and the
Triduum was very fine. The Heron Family gratuitously
gave their services, and if possible excelled themselves on
the occasion. And the full effect of the noble Organ was
shown off by the performer to perfection.

" After Mass, the bishops, clergy, and others again formed
in their previous order, and proceeded from the Cathedral
to the Convent, through a line formed by the Benevolent
Irish and the Mechanics* Societies — the crowd, with the
Societies, prostrating as they passed, and receiving the Archi-
episcopal blessing.

" The Benevolent Irish Society had walked in procession
to the Cathedral, accompanied by a fine Band, and were
accommodated by His Lordship, Dr. Mullock, with places
behind the Altar. After Mass, the Society were hospitably
provided with refreshments at the Presentation Convent."

THE ILLUMINATIONS.

" As soon as the evening began to close, all the Catholic
inhabitants of this Catholic city commenced the work of a
glorious illumination, and never In this country has been

ACCOUNT OF THE COXSECRATION OF THE

witnessed a display oftlie kind so soul-stirring, so beautiful,
80 truly eloquent beyond words, of the joy and thanksgiving
of a people. The musical noti;s of the Cathedral chimo
gave signal for the lighting, whicli began gradually, and
with the finest eflect. Now in one street a solitary window
numbered its dozen twinkling stars; next minute its neigh-
bour shone forth ; while you gazed, the houses that but a
moment before were dull and sombre with the hues of night,
shed forth their countless rays ; and before a quarter of an
hour had elapsed, every street, North, South, East, and
West, was bathjd in a Hood of light. It would be difficult
to say accurately m what localities the illuminations were
most brilliant, nor is it important — there appeared to be a
universal emulation in this respect ; and every species of
light, and every contrivance for increasing and variegating
it in blue, pink, red, green, &c., was put into immediate
requisition. The Cathedral, the Convents, the Bishop's
Palace, the Orphanage, the Orphan Asylum, the Triumphal
Arch, were all completely bespangled. Opposite Government
House, through Cochrane and several other cross streets,
tar barrels and torches blazed in aid of the general effect —
and this effect at length was a glory bright as day. Nor
was this confined merely to the several streets of the town ;
for miles around the country the same spirit had spoken,
the same magic torch illumined the habitations of rich and
poor, great and lowly. Every dwelling then sent forth its
tenants, and the streets were alive with human beings, all,
we are proud to say, conducting themselves, in the midst of a
scene so exciting, with an order and decorum which testified
their high sense of the sacrcdncss of its object. At about
eiffht o'clock commenced discharges of fire-arms from several
quarters of the town. Every man who owned, or could by
hook or crook get hold of a sealing gun (and the number
of such in St. John's and its vicinity can be easily imagined),
prepared that instrument of support, and made its voice re-
echo in the common burst of jubilation and praise. Count-
less skyrockets shot fortli their streams of fire, and made the
firmament resonant with sounds of joy. Music, too, poured

CATIIKDRAL OF ST. JOHNS NEWFOUNDLAND.

out its melodies to the air; in ft word, every available lacnns
and symbol by which the deepest devotional triumph and
gratitude could find expression, was employed to proelaii.
as best they could, the universal sentiment oi the Cluirch of
Newfoundland, upon the auspicious day that saw tho
great work, whi a has been so truly the labour of its love,
at length accomplished, consecrated, and crowned.

"These hasty lines very impcrtcctly sketch tlio proceedings
of the most memorable day in the Catholic annals of this
country." i: - .v -,,■.- ''"•-^. ^-.v:' i '■:■:-,'-' --'-■

DINNER OF THE BENEVOLENT IRISH SOCIETY TO HIS GRACE
THE ARCHBISHOP OF NEW YORK, AND TIIKII LORDSHIPS
THE BISHOPS OF TORONTO, ARICHAT, AND NEW BRUNSWICK.

" This splendid banquet, at wliich over one hundred and
sixty gentlemen were present, came off on Tuesday last, the
Hon. Laurence O'Brien presiding, and the lion. P. F.
Little occupying the vice-chair. After the removal of
the cloth, the Hon. President rose and said: —

"'Your Grace, My Lords, and Gentlemen: — This
being a festivity in honour of the Dignitaries of our Church, it
is our duty, as Catholics, to pay especial homage to the dis-
tinguished head of the Church. The chair of St. Peter is
the centre of unity ; it is the point upon which the Catholic
mind throughout the whole circle of the universe is con-
centrated, but apart from the dogmas of faith, the present
illustrious wearer of the tiara, as a temporal sovereign, is
worthy of all esteem. 1 give you, ^

U (

HIS HOLINESS POPE PIUS THE IX.

" The Most Rev. Dr. Hughes, Archbishop of New York
rose, amid loud acclamations, and said that he felt himself
unexpectedly called upon to respond to the toast which
had just been given, and which the Irish Society had
done honour to themselves by placing under the head of

ACCOUNT OF TIIK CONSKCRATION uF THE

'Charter Toast,' in their rules. Certainly it was to bo
expected in a Society like the present, so coimecte*! with
our religion, that the Head of the Church sliould be thus
honoured, and especially the present occupant ul' the papal
throne, who was one of the most illustrious in the catalogue
of the Popes, and who had in an especial manner been called
upon to bear witness, by suffering, privation and ailliction,
to the cause of Christ. He (the Archbishop) rejoiiod at
this manifestation of attachment and devotittn to tlio Pope;
because, having not long since had the happiness of an in-
troduction to His Holiness, he Iclt assured that it would
afford him pleasure to hear that there were on this side of
the Atlantic those who made up for the ingratitude of petty
factions at home — an ingratitude which so deeply grieved
his paternal heart. He had no doubt that the apostolic
Bishop of Arichat, now present, and wlio was shortly to
proceed to Rome, would gladden the heart of the Pope, by
informing him of the enthusiasm which his sacred name had
awakened here to-night. This would soothe the wounds
caused by the calumny and persecution to which His Holi-
ness had been subjected. And when he should be told o!
the vast undertaking for the promotion of religion, and which
was now brouglit to a triumphant consummation by the
Catholic people of Newfoundland, and of their ardent devo-
tion to the illustrious head of our Church, he would rejoice
and thank God for this little instalment of comfort. He
(the Archbishop) should have preferred that another had
undertaken the pleasing task of returning thanks on this
occasion ; nevertheless, it was to him a most sincere pleasure
— a most grateful dyty. He therefore thanked them for
the enthusiastic manner in which they had received the name
of the illustrious Pontiff who now governs the Church —
Pius IX. (Prolonged cheering)."

CATHEORAI. OF ST. JOHNS, NKWFOT'MDLAXn.

" Mr. PRKSIDENT then rose oiiU said — Loyulty to thuir
sovereip^n is an i Distinct aiul a tradition of Irishmen, and in
chcrisliin*,' this manly sentiment they only obey one of the
injunctions of our holy religion. Our present gracious
Queen fills the throne she adorns with Imperial dignity and
womanly virtue ; may she long reign over her vast empire,
in the aflfections of her subjects. The toast of her Majesty
was then drank with enthusiastic loyalty.

" The President rose and said — The policy that guides
the Federal Union in the periodical election of its ruler,
is too complex for any person not intimately conversant
with the motives which influence party movements to com-
prehend. But experience has alieady made manifest that
the democratic principle is always capable of producing the
right man for the right occasion. Springing from the same
common origin, we honour Americans and their constitu-
tional institutions, as scions of the Old Stock, branches or
sprouts of the Old Oak tree. I give you, ' The President of
the United Stotes.'

" His Grace Archbishop Hughes, of New York, again
rose, and was greeted with loud and prolonged cheering.
As soon as silence ensued, his Grace said — It was to be re-
gretted that there was no one present of the secular repre-
sentatives of the United States to respond fitly to the toast
wliich had now been given, and so well received. The com-
pliment which the toast conveyed was not diminished by thr
fact that it was given in close connexion with that of Her Ma-
jesty the Queen of England, and head of this great and
abnost universal empire. (Cheers.) He was aware that the
compliment to the Chief Magistrate of the United States was
intended as a compliment to the nation itself. (Cheers.) As
a citizen of the United States, he, therefore, felt called on to
respond to the honour. As a clergyman and a bishop, he
could not forget that the spirit of our Church is the spirit
of peace — peace in society, in provinces, in communities,
and between nations. The Church, in her liturgy, asks of
God the blessings of peace, with that prompting of every-
thing that is of peace. Catholic clergymen always, in their

ACCOUNT OF THK CONHKCllATION OF TIIK

minIf»trntjon?», invoke tliis l)l«'.«siii;T of praco Ijotwcon tlio na-
lioiis of tluM'urtli ; un<l, oHpccinllv, Ix'twi'on tli<)«(! wiilcli oo-
ciij)y sucli consjj'u'uouM position:) uh lOn^'lan.l and A»n(;ii<'ii.
((ircnt cli'jidin^'.) Wur la u •riviif culauiity. It in i*'i\u\ to ho
Boinctimes nocosMiiy ; and, ]»< rliups, it is ho. lint, takin;( it
for grunted tlmt it is soinctiincfl noccHsui y, uiulcr peculiar
eiicuinstunccs un<l combinations of events, j^till tlic cullivu-
tion of pence l)et\veen nations should bo ren^arded as one of
thocliief blessings anion<,'?t men. War, it is true, gives oc-
casion for nllianees ; but why should not peace have her
alliuncos too? (Cheers.) Wliy should nt)t the peaceful :\vd
kindly feelings, whii'h <lo honour to human nature, prevail
among nations, and, especially, between this part of the
Uritish Empire and the republic of the United States, to
which it lies in such close proximity? (Loud cheers.) The
distinguished individual, who now occupies tl»e position of
chief magi.stratc of the American nation, is worthy of the
oflicc he fills. He liad the honour of knowing him, and he
was proud, to say that there was no ground ibr reproach
against him, or against tho party with whom he acts.
(Cheers.) He adheres to the general, universal, impartial
principle of freedom on which the constitution of the na-
tion professes to be based. (Tremendous cheering.) He
(the Archbishop) was well aware that parchment constitu-
tions arc of little avail, unless the principles of them are
written in the human heart ; and in the United States the
principles of the constitution are in the hearts of the people.
(Cheers.) Class legislation — creed legislation will not be
tolerated there. (Loud and prolonged cheering.) And if
an attempt should be made to carry out such legislation — if
even a law should be carried in Congress with such an ob-
ject, he had confidence in the President that he would re-
fuse his signature to it. As an American, and pleased as he
was with the warm reception which had been given this
eveninjr to the name of tLv President of the United States,
and to the nation itself, he might, he thought, without im-
propriety, indulge in a little self-glorification. (Laughter.)
However, he would not do so ; especially as he should have

CATIIKPRAI. «)F mT. jailNd, XRWroUMnLANP

to spottk <)r|irt>ci'v'liii>.'a winch Kail hvon \i\tc\y had there, and
whlcli were disgnicoi'ul to it. Hut, it sli* mid bo observed, tl>at
wliatevcr faultrt the AiniM'icans may have, it wouUl not l>o
right to take the conduct and proceeding's of certain classes
or parties as iudiciting the tone of public feeling' in tlie na-
tion. One nii},'hi bo led to believe, I'rom the tone and writ-
ings of some of tlic newspapers, that there was a revulsion
in the feelings of the threat bulk of the peoph', and tliat
they would rejoice to so all of us. Catholics, walk-
ing out from among them. That, however, would be a
mistake — they would be very sorry to sec us go. (Loud
cheers.) They are not so forgetful or regardless of the na-
tional interests as to desire such an event; f«jr they have
wise and able statesmen among them, licsides, they do not
forget that they themselves are the offspring of emigra-
tion. Their ancestors were not of the aboriginal tribes
who swayed it over the soil ere emigration began ; but
they were emigrants. So they do not wish for separation ;
they would bo sorry to sec us leave them. And (continued his
Grace) I tell you this, we have not the least notion of going
(Laughter and cheers.) And I further tell you that if they
have any wish for a separation, let them pack up as quickly
as they can, and go. (Roars of laughter, and immense
cheering, which continued for several minutes, and in the
midst of which his Grace resumed his seat.)

" The President rose again, and said, Governor Darling
is scarcely four months amongst us. His Excellency was
deputed specially by His Sovereign to inaugurate amongst
us a new form of Government. It involved in the change
the passage of power from the representatives of the few
to the representatives of the many. His Excellency's ante-
cedents were favourable to constitutional government ; the
same duty devolved on him at the colony of the Cape of
Good Hope, where he was the first to introduce into that
distant dependency of the British Crown — the true principle of
representative government. His Excellency, in effecting the
change here, has earned forhimselfthecharacterof animpartial
ruler. In his policy, he has been guided by the spirit of the

ACCOUNT OF THE CONSECllATION OF TIIK

Constitution. The result of that policy, in instituting whnt
is termed Purl i amen tary Government, and in clothing with
power individuals wlio are recognized as the representatives
of the pervading idea, may, as it does in all free .govern-
ments, create difrercnces of opinion ; but the general opinion
of the country is, that Governor Darling has fairly and faith-
fully discharged the dillicult <luty intrusted to him by his
sovereign. I give you, ' His Excellency Governor Darling.'
'Tlic Hon. P. F. Little returned thanks.

TOAST OF THE EVENING.

" The President rose and said — I now come to a toast,
which will long live in the recollections of this Society. I may
truly and unaffectedly say, that on the present occasion my
feelings overpower me — a rush of ideas assails me — the reli-
gion we profess, its apostolic representatives, the occasion of
our meeting, the exalted character of our venerated guests,
our humility and their celebrity, our gratitude for the
honour done us, and their pious condescension in subjecting
themselves to all the privations of a sea voyage, in order to
do honour to our holy religion, and to bear testimony to our
devotedness in its cause, — emotions produced by such ideas
now oppress me. But how shall I attempt to individualise?
how shall I portray for you the character of the Archbishop
of New York, the illustrious divine, the eminent statesman,
the able polemic? How shall I speak of his Lordship of
Toronto, one of the noblesse of that glorious empire, which
has given so many missionaries to reclaim the savage, and
evangelise the world ? And his Lordship of Arichat, who is
surrounded by faithful fishermen like ourselves ; and of the
Bishop of New Brunswick, who is now erecting in the capital
city of his diocese a splendid cathedral, similar to our own ?
Tiieir Lordships are the first strange bishops who ever
visited our shores. Their arriva. ' an epoch in our history,
and their gracious approval of us and of our humble labour,
will give us renewed energy in the cause of our religion and
our country. I have, therefore, much pleasure in giving

CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN S, NEWFOUNDLAND.

' His Grace tlic Arclibishop of New York, tlieir Lor(lshlj)S
the Bishop of'Toronto, the lilshop of Arichat, and the Bishop
of New Brunswick, our distinguished Guests.'

" Most Rev. Dr. Hughes rose amid the most deafening
cheers. After they had subsided, he said ho hoped they
would not be frightened at seeing him, for the third time, on
his legs. (Cheers.) He did not intend, however, to make
anything like a speech ; but as his name was first on the list
of the guests whom they had honoured, he felt bound to thank
them, and to say that their overflowing hospitality had been
to him quite unexpected. He had expected much indeed
in the monument wliich they had raised to God ; and in this
he was not disappointed. But the welcome that he had re-
ceived from them — the enthusiastic reception they had given
him — all this, he confessed, surprised him. But he would
adhere to the promise he had set out with, of not making a
speech on this particular occasion; and his reasons for this
were : — first, when many persons were engaged in the per-
formance of any work, the labour of eacli became lighter
in proportion to the number employed. (Laughter.) With
this philosophy of labour he knew they were well acquainted.
(Cheers.) They knew, and few knew better, that with an
union of hearts and hands there might be accomplished in a
day wliat would otherwise take six months to acliieve ; and
this is what is called distribution of labour. (Cheers.) Again,
he was an enemy to monopoly. (Loud cheers.). And in
order that his practice might be in keeping with his doctrine,
he would thank them on his own behalf. (Cheers.) He
begged them to remember that he spoke only for himself.
(Laughter and cheers.)

" Right Rev. Dr. Charbonnell, Bishop of Toronto, rose,
and was received with acclamations. — He said if his Grace
the Archbishop was not fond of monoj)oly, he (Dr. Char-
bonnell) was not fond of co-partncrsliip. (Roars of laughter.)
And he, for his part, felt satisfied with what liis Grace had
done, and had no disposition to interfere witli his monopoly.
(Laughter.) In fact, he was completely tin own upon the
support of his Grace on this occasion ; and he regretted his

ACCOUNT OF THE CONSECRATION OF THE

inability to give expression to his feelings — to say in suit-
able language all that he felt. Ilis tongue did not correspond
with his feelings ; but, indeed, he might say that their kind-
ness — the kindness and warm-hearted welcome expressed by
those around, was enough to make any one eloquent. As
the representative of his nation he felt more than he could
express. When he looked towards that wall, and saw the
flag of his nation there, he derived inspiration from the sight.
(Loud cheers.) He wished the flag were where it ought to
be, on the ramparts of Scbastopol, floating side by side with
the flag of Britain. (Cheers.) Again, when he saw sus-
pended from the wall the likeness of the Archbishop of Paris,
he felt proud and delighted to be here to night. That Arch-
bishop was his first instructor in theology ; he was the first
who taught him the lessons of penance ; but, he declared
that, to-night he could not put those lessons into practice.
(Great cheering.) He saw, too, on the wall, by the side of
the Archbishop of Paris, the Apostle of Ireland, St. Patrick ;
and his wish to all around him was, that they might, each of
them, live as long as their apostle, who lived at least 1 20 years
— (loud cheers) — and that he himself might live so long in the
service of his flock, and be prepared to die for them if neces-
sary. (Loud and long continued cheering.)

" Right Rev. Dr. Mackinnon, Bishop of Arichat, rose, and
was received with loud cheering. — He said that he could as-
sure them it was with feelings of the deepest emotion he rose
to return them his humble, individual tribute of thanks
for the noble Irish hospitality extended to him, as well as to
His Grace the Archbishop of New York, and his brother bi-
shops since they landed on the shores of this island. He con-
gratulated his Lordship, Dr. Mullock, on the success which
crowned his noble efforts in the erection of that magnificent
temple which stood upon the brow of the hill above the
town ; and on the happiness which his Lordship must ex-
perience from the consummation of this great work. Again,
he congratulated his Lordship on being surrounded by a,body
of priests — distinguished for their noble character, and their
zeal in the dincharfre of the functions of the ministrv. And

CATHEDRAL OF ST. J01i:> S, NEWFOUNDLAND.

further, he congratulated his Lordship on the union and har-
mony existing in this colony between priests and people,
and on their mutual exertions. This is, indeed, a happy
and consoling sight. A people thus united, and in the en-
joyment of free constitutional government, secured to them,
through their own combined and harmonious exertions, pre-
sent an agreeable and pleasing picture to the mind. He
hoped that the spint of union would long continue. There
was another subject to which he would allude belbrc he sat
down. He had the happiness to be now on his way to the
Holy City ; and he would avail himself of the occasion, as
he felt proud of the opportunity, to inform His Holiness of
the many gratifying events and objects which came under
his observation in the capital of Newfoundland. It would
be to him (Dr. Mackinnon) a happy opportunity when he
should be able to state at the loot of the papal throne with
what enthusiasm the name of His Holiness had been received
here to night ; and also what a blessing his Lordship, Dr.
Mullock, had brought upon his flock through his zealous and
until I ng exertions in the cause of the Church. (Loud cheers.)
He would tell His Holiness of the noble temple erected to
the worship of God ; of the multitudes of faithful and de-
voted people who attended the ceremonies of the consecra-
tion ; of the pious and zealous clergy who laboured here for
the happiness of the people and the welfare of the Church.
(Great cheering.) In short, he would inform His Holiness of
all he had seen and witnessed, calculated to give life and vi-
gour to the Church in Newfoundland. In conclusion, he
begged to thank them, in the sincerity of his heart, for their
great kindness and hospitality. The Right Rev. Prelate then
resumed his scat amid loud cheering.

" Right Rev. Dr. Connolly, Bishop of New Brunswick,
rose, and was greeted with loud and prolonged cheers. He
said, as junior member of the bar (laughter and cheers), and
the Benjamin of the episcopal body (renewed laughter and
cheering), it was with feelings of no ordinary description
he rose to address such an assemblage. An allusion had
l)een made in the course of the evening to his being en-

ACCOUNT OF Tlii: CONSECRATION OF TlIK

gaged in the erection of a cathedral similar to that which now
overtops thia city; in reference to that subject he would
observe, that he had left behind him, upon his departure for
this city, from seventy to eighty men employed on that
building, whose aggregate wages amounted to some forty
pounds a day. (Cheers.) From this circumstance they
might form some idea of the respect which he entertained
for the good Bishop of Newfoundland and his people, seeing
that he had abandoned the supervision of his own pressing
business in order to assist at the consecration of the cathe-
dral here. (Loud cheers.) He felt that this was a sacrifice ;
but never in his life had he performed a sacrifice more
grateful to his feelings. The Irish hospitality he had
received, and the Irish hurrah that greeted him — (great
cheering) — were to him a recompense far exceeding any
inconvenience or sacrifice he had sufTered. Now that he
had seen what he never expected to have seen on this side
of the Atlantic, the compliment was all on one side — it
Avas all due to them — none to himself. He had often
wished for an opportunity to pay a compliment of some
kind or other to the distinguislied bisliop now at the head
of the Catholics of this island, to whom he felt under obli-
gations in more ways than one. But His Lordship's pre-
sence precluded him from saying now all that he wished.
He could not, however, forbear to observe, that His Lord-
ship is blest in having such a people ; and the people have
reason to rejoice that they have such a pastor. (Great
cheering). He had the happiness of having known his
Lordship in his (Dr. Connolly's) boyhood ; he knew him
afterwards, and at different periods in Ireland, as well as
elsewhere ; and he was happy to say that he then stood high
in his (Dr. Connolly's) rogard, as he did in the regard of all
who knew him — as hl;^'i in his regard then, when his
Lordship was but an humble priest, as now in his episcopal
character. (Cheers.) He was truly delighted with all that
he had seen since he landed upon these shores, and he felt
quite incompetent to give anything like o full idea of the
estimate which he had formed, since his arrival, of the glo-

CATUELRAL OF ST. JOHNS, NEWFOUNDLAKD.

rious Irish cliaractcr of the people. He had lived many
years in their vicinity, if, indeed, a place distant some six
hundred miles might properly be called a vicinity, and
although he had heard much of them, and known them by
character, yet his conception of them had fallen far short of
the reality. He was not disposed, on this occasion, to go
through a catalogue of their virtues, and high and noble
qualities ; one reference is in itself suflifiicnt to shew what
they are — a reference to that grand and stupendous edifice
which stands on the brow of the hill that overtops the
city. That catlicdral is, without exception, the grandest
and noblest of the kind on the Continent of America, as far
as he had an opportunity of judging, and he had been
through the principal parts of the American Continent.
Then look at the buildings, beautiful and magnificent as
they are, that surround this cathedral : — the Orphanage
House ; the Presentation Convent and School House -, the
Convent of the Sisters of Mercy ; and the Episcopal Resi-
dence ; — seeing all this, as well as the churches and con-
vents scattered over the Island — seeing and knowing all
this, was it necessary for him to say that, in his heart, he felt
proud of the Catholics of Newfoundland? A more Catho-
lic or more Irish people could not be found anywhere, not
even in Ireland itself. He said all this, not with the view
that they should look upon themselves as being altogether
perfect, but in order, by giving them the meed of praise that
13 justly their due, to stimulate them in their career of good
works, and to urge them on in ^he path of noble exertion
which they have been so gloriously pursuing. In order to
know a man's character well it is necessary to keep looking
at his works ; and so it is with communities. The Catholics
of this island have achieved almost incredible things ; let them
still persevere in their noble exertionfe, and they will obtain
grace upon grace, and blessing upon blessing, and will thus
be enabled to transmit our faith and their Irish Catholic
feeling to their children. Now, he could not sit down
without referring to the great and invaluable services of the
priests of this island. Without ihem the people could have

ACCOUNT OF THE CONSECRATION OF THE

uccomplishcd notliing (cheers) ; or, at least, could not have
aecoinplished as much as they had done. They are with
the people on all occasious; in health, in sorrow, in sick-
ness; they advise, console, instruct, and direct them under all
circumstances. (Prolonged cheering.) He could not, there-
fore, omit a reference to those to whom the people owed so
much, both spiritually and temporally ; and he would there-
fore propose as a volunteer toast, ' The priests of New-
foundland.' (Here followed the most rapturous cheering,
which was renewed again and again for several minutes.
When at length it had subsided) —

'* The Very Rev. Dean Mackin, of Brigus, having been
loudly called upon, arose and said, he regretted that some
one of his brother clergymen, more competent than himself
to do justice to this toast had not been called upon. How-
ever, in the name of the priests of Newfoundland, and in
his own behalf, he begged to express his sincere thanks to
His Grace, the Archbishop, to their Lordships, and to the
company, for the compliment that had been just paid to the
priests and himself. For his own part, he could not say
that he had done much for the promotion of either the
spiritual or temporal benefit of the people. All that he
could say in this respect was that he endeavoured to do all
that he was able, and that his sphere of action admitted of,
to promote their spiritual and social welfare (loud cheers) ;
and he would always continue to do so. (Repeated cheering.)
With respect to his brother clergymen, it was quite unne-
cessary for him to speak of their virtues and labours, which
were so well known to all around him (cheers), and, no
doubt, duly appreciated. (Great cheering.) With respect to
the cathedral so flatteringly alluded to by his Lordship, Dr.
Connolly, he (Dean Mackin) could not take any merit to
himself on that ground. The late lamented Bishop Fleming
had performed great sacrifices in the erection of that temple ;
he liad spared no labour or trouble in his eflTorts to bring
the undertaking to a successful issue. To him (Dean
IMackin) there appeared to be one thing wanted to the
c'athcdral, which he should like to sec supplied, namely, an

CATIIKDRAL OF ST. JOHNS, NKWFOUi\'DLAND.

i:^

inscription In a conspicuous part of its front, witli tlic words
81 (juteris vwnumcntum circHmsjiici'. Tliis would indicate
the grandeur and magnitude of the building, and suggest
an idea of the noble character of t!ie people who, with
humble means, raised so grand a temple to the worship of
God. He again begged to return his sincere thanks to His
Grace, the Archbishop, to their Lordships, and the company,
for the coraplinicnt paid to himself and the priests of New-
foundland.

" The next toast was the memory of his Lordship the late
lamented

" ' DIl. FLEMING.'

Drank in solemn silence.

" The President rose and said — I have just given the
memory of our late lamented pastor and prelate. That
memory is still green in our souls. I now beg to propose
the health of his most able and most zealous successor. The
departed prelate had qualities to fit him as the pioneer
of religion; his accomplished successor is endowed with
rare faculties to fit him to finish the glorious works com-
menced by our late Bishop. His Lordship's presence pre-
vents me from enlarging, as I would wish, upon his merits
and labours. I give you the health of our esteemed Bishop,

"' RIGHT REV. DR. MULLOCK.'

" Right Rev. D". Mullock rose amidst the most enthu-
siastic cheering. He was prevented for several minutes
from speaking by the repeated bursts of acclamation which
greeted him. His Lordship essayed more than once to ex-
press his thanks, but his voice was completely drowned in
the cheering, which increased as it continued. When
at length the cheering had subsided, his Lordship said,
there were certain moments when it became impos-
sible to give expression to our feelings — when language
failed to declare the emotions of the heart. Such was
the predicament in which he stood at present. If they
could only interpret his feelings at the present moment,
they would be able to appreciate their depth and intensity
at the enthusiasm which greeted hira. He hud been well

ACCOUNT OF THE CONSECRATION OF TIIK

nwarc that lils name would be well received on all occa-
sions by his people; but he had never expected to have
been hailed with such enthusiasm as that wliich his name
had called forth this evening. It was now five years since
he took up the labour of his late lamented predecessor, who
had lost his life in its progress; and when he (Dr. Mullock)
had undertaken the comi)letlon of this work, his entire
confidence rested in two sources, namely, God and the
people. He knew very well that he had a treasury in the
hearts of the people, which would never fail him ; and with
sucli a resource, the accomplishment of the work that had
fallen into his hands he felt to be certain. The devoted
zeal and religious ardour of the people sustained him
throughout, and at length resulted in the achievement of
the object of his solicitude. Upon this he had calculated
from the commencement, and in this he was not disap-
pointed; for, as his Grace the Archbishop observed the
other day, nothing is impossible to faith. He again re-
peated that the only treasure he possessed, the only resource
on which he relied, was the ready and cordial co-operation
of the people. They all, of every class, lent their aid to the
work — the merchants, the mechanics, the shopkeepers, but
above all, the fishermen. It was to tliese, the fishermen —
the children of the sea — was chiefly due the merit of bring-
ing this work to a successful issue. For his own part, he
did not assume to himself any credit for what had been
done — he had not to lead, but to follow. To him nothing
used to seem so eloquent as the reading of the Sealers' sub-
scription list to this work, upon their return in the spring
of each year from their perilous voyage. Ills Grace the
Archbishop of New York is the most eloquent man on this
side of the Atlantic; yet the eloquence that characterizes
the discourses of his Grace could not be more grateful to
his ear, or delightful to his heart, than was that which
sprung from the reading of the fishermen's subscription list
in aid of the Cathedral funds. (Cheers.) What could be
more eloquent than that list which contained the names
and subscriptions of those adventurous, noble-hearted men.

CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHNS, NKWFOrNDLAND.

4')

who, returning I'rom tlnnr perilous labours on the bosom
of tlie ocean, poured in the (irst fruits of their labours Ibr
the erection of a t(!inple to the h \our and service of God?
(Enthusiastic cheers.) When lie saw those men ever anx-
ioufj to contribute tlieir labour, and alwavs wllllnir io hazard
their lives in thld cause — when he saw them on St. Peter
and Paul's day, year after year, going out to sea, and de-
voting the whole produce of their labour to this object —
when he saw all this, he Iclt that he owed his success to
their exertions and co-operation. When lie further saw
the poor labourers in the streets, and upon the wharfs, con-
tributing from their little earnings towards this work, Avhilc
they wore scarcely able to provide the necessary means of
subsistence for themselves and their families ; and when he
saw even the little boys who were toiling for the support
of their poor and helpless parents, give a portion of their
humble wages — when he saw all this, he could not enter-
tain any doubt of ultimate success; and he felt satisfied
that nothing was impossible to a faithful people. lie, him-
self, had no trouble, no annoyance, no embarrassment ; he
was comparatively exempt from all anxiety as to the result :
all he had to do was to say what he wished, to indicate
what he desired, and it was immediately done. He could
say — and he felt happy in the declaration — that there is
not a single Catholic in Newfoundland, not even one, who
does not support him in his labours for the good of religion.
(Applause). When, therefore, he saw such a devoted people
around him, led on by a virtuous and zealous clergy, he
must again repeat, that there was no merit due to him in
carrying out the work that had been transmitted to him,
and in bringing it to a successful termination. The merit
of all this belongs to his people and to his clergy. He
wished to make one observation more, and he desired not
to be understood as speaking in the spirit of an after-dinner
speech — for he felt that he was speaking on a most solemn
occasion, and on a most solemn subject: — if no other good
resulted from the extraordinary labours of the people, with
respect to this work, than the occasion thereby offered for

ACCOUNT OF THE CONtiKCUATION OF THK

the visit of His Gnico the Arclibishop of New York, unci
their Lordsliips tlio Bisliops here, to our sliorcs — was not
this in itself a subject for conf^ratuhition ? (Great cheering.)
JIc was always anxious to see men of enlij^'htenment coin<5
here, because lie felt that it would bo productive of good
to the people and to the country : — and now our present
distinguished visitors sec that there are not to be found in
any part of the world a more Catholic people than those of
Newfoundland.

" For his own part, he felt like a captain who has a good
ship and a liiithful crew, and who, in consequence, feels
secure, even when the tempest blows, and the billows rise.
lie had his faithful and devoted clergy. There was Father
Kyran Walsh, a most zealous and devoted priest (enthusi-
astic and prolonged cheering) — who laboured unceasingly
and untiringly in the cause of religion and of the Church.
There was also Father Vereker, whose unavoidable absence
to-night he regretted, who went year after year along the
coast of Labrador, collecting contributions in aid of the Ca-
thedral, and deemed no k hour too great, no suffering or
privation too much in the prosecution of his mission. (Cheers.)
In short, all hia priests were indefatigable in their exertions
to promote the great object in which he, and they, and the
people were engaged. (Cheers.) The out-harbour priests were
as anxious as the priests of St. John's for the accomplishment
of this work ; and they aided, in every way they could,
both by contributions from themselves, and by the zeal and
energy in sending their people to fish on the days appointed
for that purpose. (Great cheering.) He, therefore, repeated,
that, seeing all this, there could be but little merit attributed
to him for all that had been done. He again thanked them
sincerely for the compliment they had paid him ; and ob-
served that the greatest consolation a Bishop can enjoy
is to possess the affections of the people committed
to his charge; and he believed that he possessed the
affections of his people. (Great cheering, renewed again and
again.)

" His Lordship then said, that he wished to propose a toast

CATHKIMJAI, OK .ST. JOHN fc\ Ni:\VFOU.NI>r..\NI).

bclbro 1)0 sat down. It wu!' tho licultli i^f tin; llonouniblo
Liiwivncc Ohrich, P^'^<i<l(,'nt ot" tlio Iiish Society, and at
tlie sumo time, President (jt llcr Majesty's Councils, lit;
was a man cntitlctl to tlio respect and a|)prol)ation of this
Society, and of tho «.'onntry. (Chcord.) If other men had
acted like him, who was 8j)ondin<,' his money in tho country
where ho had made it, Newfoundland would be in a far
more improved condition than she is to-day. It was such
men the country rccjuired — men who, while thoy advancccl
their own interests, promoted also the interests of tho
country in which their fortunes were realized. For this ho
(Hon. Mr. O'lirien) had reaped his reward, both in the
consciousness of tho good ho wa3 doing to the country, and
in the honours which the country had conferred upon him.
Such men arc entitled to honour, as they arc themselves an
honour to their country. (Cheers.)

"Hon. Mr. O'Drikn, the President, ro.so and was received
with acclamations — Ho said that he felt greatly embarrassed
in rising to return thanks on this occasion. If his Lordship
(Dr. Mullock) had felt incapable of expressing the fulness of
his feelings when his Lordship's health had been given, how
much more so must he (Hon. Mr. O'Brien) feel, when ho
found himself the object of his Lordship's eulogy? It was
now forty-four years since ho first arrived in this country,
and he could say in all sincerity that he had not, in all that
time, experienced so much heartfelt gratification as since tho
arrival of the steamer which conveyed to our shores tho ex-
alted personages who have lionourcd us with their company
hereto-night. (Cheers.) This was indeed highly gratifying to
his feelings — ho had never expected to have enjoyed so
much happiness. In conclusion, he would merely observe,
that it was his sincere hope tliat he should for tho remainder
of his days merit a continuance of his Lordship's (Dr. Mul-
lock's) esteem and approbation . ^. i

" Tho President said, the next toast was one which he
knew he had but to mention in order to secure it a most
cordial response. It was —

4>S

ACCOUNT OF TIIK CONSKCFIA TION OP TllK

it i

OLD IRKLAND AS SHE OUGHT TO BE,

" ' (Iri'iit, nloriniiii mill fnt',

1 irst ItowLT (if tilt! I'lirlli, nnd (list jjnii of tlio mm.'

(Tremendous cliocrln;,'.) Drank with all tlio honours.

*' Edward Mokiiis, Es(|., responiled t(j this toast.

" The PiiKsiDKNT said — The state oC this country when I
came to it, it.s rise and pro^'rcss, its comiiiercial Improve-
ment, the advance of religion and rolij^ious institutions, its
schools, its great resources, the old })olicy which made it un-
known and discarded — but now it is beginning to be known
by distinguished visitors from all parts of the world, who
see its geograpliical advantages — nearly half way between
England and the great continent of America, St. John's
will, ere long, be a port of call for Atlantic steamers, and
an electric telegraph shall unite us, in a social and commer-
cial bond, to the great republic of the west; but wc shall
never consent to any other connexion, so long as the im-
perial standard waves on this side of the Atlantic, and
our loyalty is met by justice and protection from the Crown.
I give you —

*' ' THE LAND WE LIVE IN.'

" Hon. Colonial Secretary responded.

" Some volunteer toasts were next proposed, and re-
sponded to ; among others, the health of the two reverend
gentlemen who accompanied our distinguished guests,
namely, the Rev. Mr. M'Nervy, Chaplain and Secretary to
His Grace the Archbishop of New York; and the Rev.
Mr. M'Leod, Chaplain to the Right Rev Dr. M'Kinnon,
Bishop of Arichat.

" Rev. Mr. M'Nervy returned thanks In a brief but elegant
speech.

" The President rose and said — The strugsrfc in the
East will be long remembered as one of the deadliest in the
history of events that are settled by the bloody expedient
of war ; but out of the circumstances that forced upon the
civilization of the West the necessity of defending itself
against Cossack aggression, out of those circumstances has

lAriiKniiAL ov sr jkiin s, nkwkolnui.and

i:»

juiKToilcd t\u^ uiiioii ol' two of the most powerful Diitions of
tilt' wuilil. I'lult r tlio old idi'u thoy wore nuturui ejicmies;
n cumiiion diin^'er dis.si|nitcd tl»e mdioly dreuin, and tliin
year, >vlille tlic Hoveroij^iis of those ^ruut countrie.«< are Inter-
rli;m<.^in^', in tluir u'or;^'eou3 capituls, truly royul civilities,
the ll;i;.H of the two nutious lloat over their troopn, who
n»in|,de their Ininners and their life-hlood on the banks of
the Tehcrimyu. i pivo you

'" THK ALLIKD AltMIEH.' '

" The toast was drank with all the honours.

" It bein<,' now about half-past ten o'clock, His Grace
the Archbishop of York, and their Lordships the Bishops,
and also the Priests and about a dozen gentlemen, retired.
We understand that those who remained prolonged tlie fes-
tivities beyond midniglit, and then retired to their respective
homes, delighted with the treat from which they liad risen,
and which they would long remember as the happiest event
of their lives, when they enjoyed what may be emphatically
styled — ' the feast of reason and the How ol'soul.' "

TRIDUUM IN UONOUK v)f THK IMItfACULATK CONCEPTION.

While the Prelate* wtjre assembled in St. John's, a solemn
Triduum, in honour oi* the Immaculate Conception of the
Hlessed Virgin, wa?! announced and atten-icd with the great-
est devotion by the faithful Catholics of St. John*?. It was
performed on tiic 10th, 11th, and 12th of September. Each
day there was Pontifical High Mass and Benediction of the
Most Holy Sacrament, and a sermon on the M\ tery, by one
of the Bishops. All the Bishops and the Clergy present at
the Consecration attended every day. On the lirst day the
Bishop of Arichat sang Mass, and the Bishop of Toronto
preached ; the second day the Bishop of Toronto sang Mas?,
and tlie Bishop of Arichat preached ; and on the third day
the Mass was sung by the Bishop of St. John's, New Bruns-
wick, and the sermon was preached by the Aichbishop of
New York. E

ACCOUNT OF TUE CONSECRATION OF THE

The Consecration Ceremonies and the Triduum were
brought to a close on Sunday, the 16th, the octave day of
the Dedication. High Mass was sung by the Archbishop
of New York, and the sermon was preached by the Bishop
of St. John's, New Brunswick.

*' RECEPTION OF HIS GRACE THE ARCHBISHOP OF NEW YORK,
THE BISHOP OF TORONTO, THE BISHOP OF ARICHAT, AND
THE BISHOP OF NEW BRUNSWICK, AT HARBOUR GRACE.

" No r<ooner had it become known that their Lordships
had fixed upon Wednesday, the 12th instant, for their visit
to this town than the whole community were actively en-
gaged in making preparations for their reception. A trium-
phal arch, tastefully decorated with flags, was erected at the
entrance to the landing-place, the residence of W. Donnelly,
Esq. ; another, similarly ornamented, at the opening of the
avenue leading to the residence of the Very Rev. Charles
Dahon, V.G. Every mercantile establishment in the town,
and every vessel in the harbour, in like manner exhibited
their flags, giving to the whole harbour an air of unwonted
gaiety and joy.

" Several gentlemen had started ofl'in the morning, accom-
panied by the Temperance Band, in the steamer, to receive
the distinguished visitors, together with our own beloved
Bishop, Dr. Mullock, who accompanied them. In the after-
noon all eyes were directed seaward, eagerly watching for
the approach of the steamer ; and as soon as she was observed,
at a distance of about five miles, tlie entire population hurried
to the landing-place, and all was bustle and excitement.
When evening shortly after closed, not only the entire town,
but all the country around, became a blaze of vivid light,
which continued to a late hour of the night. Amid the il-
luminations, the residence of the Rev. Mr. Dalton, the Roman
Catholic Church, and the Presentation Convent, were parti-
cularly conspicuous. Tar barrels were lighted along the
sea side, and lights were flxed on the masts of all the vessels
in the harbour. Amid tliis glare, shedding an almost noonday

CATHKDRAL OF ST. JOHNS, NEWFOUNDLAND.

light around, the firing of guns and the cheering shouts of
the muhitudos, the steamer arrived, and their Lordships
landed.

" It would be impossible to describe the romantic efFect
produced by the illumination of the cottages fur beyond the
town, as far as the eye could reach ; and here and there the
livid glare of the numerous bonfires, revealing occasionally
the neighbouring grounds and woodlands.

" The Benevolent Irish Society I'ormcd a passage for their
Lordships, and then Ibllowcd them in procession ; the Tem-
perance Band leading the way, and elevating the spirits of
all by their cheering strains. In this order they reached
the residence of our venerable Pastor, amid the waving of
handkerchiefs, the cheering of the people, and the discharge
of guns. On the whole, we have seldom witnessed a scene so
enlivening, or where so much unity of feeling was manitcsted,
or such cordial gratification exhibited. It was truly cre-
ditable to our spirited fellow-townsmen, and will be long
remembered with pride and pleasure.

" On reaching the termination of the avenue to the Rev.
Mr. Dalton's, their Lordships entered the beautiful newly
erected stone Church ; and kneeling a few moments at the
foot of the altar to offer a silent thanksgiving to the Most
High, his Grace the Archbisiiop gave the Pontifical Bene-
diction to the assembled multitude ; after which his Lord-
ship, Dr. Mullock, addressed them, briefly but warmly,
thanking them for thus co-operatin^f with him in paying the
honour and respect due to his illustrious guests, and then re-
quested them to retire peaceably to their homes.

" The following morning (Thursday), at eleven o'clock,
the time appointed for the presentation to their Lordships of
the address of the Roman Catholics of the district, and also
that of the Benevolent Irish Society, the latter body headed
a vast multitude of the people in procession to the abode of
their Lordships, where the addresses were respectfully |)re-
sented,jis well as one from the inhabitants ofCarbonear ; and to
which his Grace, the Archbishop, returned thanks severally.
The entire multitude having fallen on their knees His

ACCOUNT OF THE CONSECRATION OF THE

Grace the Archbisliop and the other Prelates severally pro-
nounced a benediction, not only on those personally present,
but upon those especially who were absent from their homes
and their families, in pursuit of the fishery ; and all then re-
tired in good order, enlivened by the band, and were ever
and anon giving vent to their joyous feelings in prolonged
cheers.

" On Friday morning His Grace the Archbishop celebrat-
ed Mass and preached a touching and most eloquent sermon
on the gospel of the day, being the feast of the ' Exaltation of
the Cross.' Shortly afterwards their Lordships left in order
to visit to Brigus, viewing, as they went along, all the inter-
vening interesting little harbours, accompanied by several
gentlemen of Harbour Grace.

" On Saturday the band again went by the steamer to meet
their Lordships at Brigus, and accompanied them to Portugal
Cove, where their Lordships were enthusiastically received
by the people of that locality. Thus terminated a visit
that brought happiness to every bosom — the first occasion
that had ever assembled an Archbishop and four Bishops
of the ancient and hallowed Faith of the people, to bring
gratitude and joy and every exalted feeling to the hearts of
all the inhabitants of our long neglected island." .; . ; •-

DEPARTURE OF THE PRELATES FROM NEWFOUNDLAND.

The illustrious visitors were now about to leave the island
for their respective dioceses, and the inhabitants of St.
Jotin's determined to testify their respect for them at their
departure. Accordingly the Irish Society and the Me-
chanics' Societies assembled at the Cathedral, at half-past
two o'clock on Wednesday, the 19th. Thousands of people
already occupied the ground. The Prelates were conducted
to the steamer by the assembled multitude, amidst the ring-
ing of bells, and the continued discharge of sealing guns: the
vossfcls were decorated with flags ; while cannon and sealing
guns were fired from the wharfs, enthusiastic cheers burst
forth from the assembled multitude, and the steamer left the

CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHNS NEWFOUNDLAND.

harbour with the regrets and tlie blessings of the faithful
Catholic people of St. John's. As it was impossible for the
Prelate sto return all the visits or reciprocate all the atten-
tion? they had received during their stay, they published
the following Card in the Newfoundlander of 24th Sep-
tember. , , , - . ' .

A CARD. ^

The Archbishop of New York, the Bishops of Toronto,
Arichat, and New Brunswick, cannot permit themselves lo
embark lor their respective homes, without giving public
expression to their deep and and grateful sense of tlie kind
and enthusiastic welcome which greeted them on their arri-
val, and of the many courtesies which have been extended
to them daring their agreeable sojourn in the capital of this
island. '' ';v hope to be excused fortius, the more readily,
as it hat i been in their power to return personally all
the visits, or to acknowledge all the civilities, that they
have received.

The object of their visit was to take part in the solemn
consecration of the Cathedral, and to testify their respect for
His Lordship, Dr. Mullock, the learned and apostolic Bi-
shop of Newfoundland. The two weeks of interval before
the arrival of the next steamboat seemed, at first, a long
period of absence from their flocks ; but the hospitalities of St.
John's have caused the days to pass almost imperceptibly.
They acknowledge with great pleasure the kindness and cour-
tesies extended to them by His Excellency, the Governor,
and Hon. Members of the Government, by the brave Com-
mander of the Garrison and his gallant officers, and indeed by
all classes of persons, whether in St. John's, Harbour Grace,
Carbonear, or Brigus, with whom it has been their privi-
lege to become acquainted. They hyve had an opportunity
of seeing the beautiful Bay of Conception, and the grand,
stupendous scenery within its bosom and around its borders.
In short, they will ever preserve a most pleasing memory of
their visit to Newfoundland, and their constant wish will be,

ACCOUNT OF TUB CONSECRATION, ETC.

that every happiness and prosperity may be bestowed upon
its industrious, generous, warm, and noble-hearled inhabi-
tants.

i{t John, Archbishop of New York.

i|t Armandus Fr., Ma., Bishop of Toronto.

»{( C. J. M'Kinnon Bishop of Arichat.

i{t T. L. CoNNOLLa, Bishop of St. John, New
Brunswick.

The people accompanied the Bishop of the diocese and
the Bishop of Arichat back to the Cathedral, and thus was
concluded the most joyous and solemn religious ceremony
ever performed in Newfoundland.

THE END.