USA > Illinois > Kankakee County > Pilot > History of SS. Peter and Paul's Church, Pilot, Illinois : with an historical sketch of Sacred Heart Church, Goodrich, Illinois, and St. James Church, Irwin, Illinois, at one time forming one parish; prefaced by a general local history. > Part 5
USA > Illinois > Kankakee County > Irwin > History of SS. Peter and Paul's Church, Pilot, Illinois : with an historical sketch of Sacred Heart Church, Goodrich, Illinois, and St. James Church, Irwin, Illinois, at one time forming one parish; prefaced by a general local history. > Part 5
USA > Illinois > Kankakee County > Goodrich > History of SS. Peter and Paul's Church, Pilot, Illinois : with an historical sketch of Sacred Heart Church, Goodrich, Illinois, and St. James Church, Irwin, Illinois, at one time forming one parish; prefaced by a general local history. > Part 5
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Sanctuary Addition 16' × 18' 1880
Sanctuary
Sacristy Il' x 16' 1900.
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Communion Rail
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Sacristy
ALTAR
Sacristy
Sanctuary
Communion Rail
TRANSEPT 1897 4 0' × 18'
26' x48'x 14' High 1869
NAVE
Vestibule 5'x 8'
4
Vestibule
DIAGRAMS OF SS. PETER AND PAUL'S CHURCH, PILOT.
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remains were taken to Chicago where he was buried. Fath- er Evers was born at Warburg (Westphalia) Germany, where he made his classical studies, the theological course he made in St. Francis near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Was ordained priest June 24, 1887.
When Father Sixt took charge of the out-mission mass was said twice in a month. He REV. FRANCIS SIXT 1895-1899 improved the seating capacity of the Church by building in a cross section in 1897 the cost of which amounted to $1715.00, installed a high altar, a gift of the children of Phillip Karcher Family, replaced the old win- dow lights by Art Glass windows donated by the following families: Phillip and Maria Karcher, Joseph and Magda- lena Clodi, Adam and Maria Fritz, Martin and Maria Geig- er, Joseph and Ida Gersmann, Phillip, Margaretha, Hein- rich and Carolina Saffer, Michael Frueh, Kilian and Maria Lochner, Michael, Catharina, George and Barbara Heim- burger, two small windows in the transept donated by Rev. Francis Sixt. Besides he made other minor improvements to the amount of $726.00. In November 1903 Father Sixt exchanged positions with the Rev. C. A. Danz, at St. Mat- thias Church, Chicago, where he pastorated for seven years. Father Sixt died in Europe October 4, 1910, where he went on account of impaired health. He was born May 22, 1852 at Unter-Roedel, Diocese of Eichstaedt, Bavaria, Ger- many. Served in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870. Came to America in 1871 and studied for the priesthood at St. Francis Seminary, Wisconsin. Ordained June 10, 1876. Assistant Pastor at St. James and St. Francis Church, Chi- cago when he took charge of the pastorates at: Lockport, Lemont 1884, Kankakee 1895-1899 and St. Mathias Church, Chicago.
In 1895 the French-Irish congregation of Goodrich, which for reasons to be mentioned hereinafter, had separated itself from
REV. J. MEYER
1899-1920 the St. James Parish, was consol- idated with SS. Peter and Paul's. The Rev. J. Meyer was appointed to take charge of Sacred
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Heart, Goodrich and SS.Peter and Paul's. This was a de- cided improvement, which brought the pastor nearer to his flock and made church work so much more efficient. Now divine service is held every Sunday in each parish with al- ternating hours.
Improvements made at SS. Peter and Paul's:
1900. A sacristy, a Crucifixion Group above the High Altar. 1901, a Confessional. 1902, Church decorated and Two Side Altars installed, donated by Fridolin Ruder and Adam Fritz; St. Joseph's Statue, a gift of William Meyer and a Blessed Virgin Statue presented by John Heimburger. 1903, New Pews, a Communion Rail, a Pul- pit, Pieta Altar. 1904, Sanctuary Chair and Stools. 1905, new Vestments, valued at about $400.00. 1906, a Pipe Or- gan, a gift of Adam and Maria Fritz, Parish Library. 1907 the Parsonage was sold. 1908, the Church reshingled. 1911, the Chuch which was removed from its foundation by a cyclone, November 11 of the same year is replaced to its former base.
The School.
Progress is the watchword in our modern times, and indeed progress we have made in industry, science, econom- ics , education, but progress has also created new necessities. Adam and his sons could well do without a telephone, an automobile ,an airship, but abolish these commodities or rather necessities, at once the result would be confusion, and ruin of the country. We cannot be proficient without progress made in education, or rather without mental train- ing. Indeed there are thousands, who cannot distinguish A from B, and yet do well, but for the majority of mankind mental training is of absolute necessity. During the 1860's or somewhat before, there stood a schoolhouse in the north- east quarter of Section 16, Pilot Tp., which was later bought by John Knittel and moved on his land in Section 10, one of the first public schools in this district.
Man is composed of a body and an immortal soul, hence a twofold education is needed, one with reference to the present life and the other, which is concerned about
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the next and everlasting life, therefore the necessity of re- ligious training. Both the secular and religious education must go hand in hand in order to make good citizens in this world and assure the possession of the future life. Religi- ous traininig is not essential for a child, if there is no Be- yond, if the soul is a mere soap bubble, which, when ex- ploded returns, so to speak to naught. But who dare deny there is a God, a Supreme Being, a Creator, a Maker of all things. There is in every man the consciousness of a Supreme Power, call it God, there is a presentiment of a future life and we repeat, a certain knowledge of the Super- natural is of dire necessity to prepare us for the life to come during the short term allotted here below.
It is the glory of the Church of having at all times championed the cause of an education or training, which assures to the mind a secular knowledge, trains the will and secures the formation of character. Brain and heart, intellect and will, both not only should, but must receive careful attention in school. Some pioneer settlers once ask- ed, why they built a school, the answer was, "We thought that without a school, the Church would soon be for the sparrows."
The high importance of such a school, was well un- derstood by our pioneer settlers. At a meeting April 19th, 1868 it was suggested to organize a Sunday School or Cate- chism class. The first catechism teaching took place the following Sunday, April 26th in Peter Geiger's home. Franz Studer, Nicolaus Weiler, George Peter and Peter Geiger were appointed as teachers in private homes.
In 1884 a small school building was erected by Fath- er H. Mehring and formally opened in January 1885.
It will interest all former pupils and bring back to memory happy days gone by, in reading the names of their teachers:
1870-1873 Adam Lochner from the vicinity of Chicago.
1873-1876 Wendelin Ruder from the Parish.
1876-1878 Leonard Hahn.
1878-1881 Wendelin Ruder.
1881-1885 Vacancy.
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1885-1888 The first teacher, who instructed the chil- dren in the "Little Pilot School" was Miss Theresia Tshan from Kankakee.
In the latter part of 1884 the "Schulverein" was organ- ized with 50c monthly dues.
John Pratt ,president; John Karcher, vice president; Fridolin Ruder, secretary; Kilian Lochner, treasurer; Mich- ael Heimburger, William Meyer, Chryst Knittel, school di- rectors.
1888-1889 Miss Mary Paulissen, from Kankakee.
1889-1890 Miss Clementina Gramlich from Chicago.
1890-1893 Miss Theresia Tshan from Kankakee.
1893-1894 Miss Susa Paulissen from Kankakee.
Two months Miss Regina Weisshaar.
1894-1902 Miss Mary Simon from Chicago.
1902-1903 Miss Edith Knittel from Chebanse, Ill.
1903 Sept. to Dec. Marcus Lang.
1904-1906 Miss Anna Stock from McHenry, Illinois.
1906-1907 Miss Josephine Brefeld from Ringwood, Ill.
1907-1910 Miss Anna Laskofsky from Chicago.
1910 Sept. to Oct. Miss Elizabeth Surges.
1910 Nov. 1911 Miss Ethel Eberhardt from Chicago.
1911 Nov. 1912 Miss Mary Simon from Chicago.
1912-1915 Miss Anna Molidor from Volo, Ill.
1915-1917 Miss Margaret Hebensberger from Chicago. 1917 Vacancy.
1918-1919 Miss Elizabeth Hoff.
The first and subsequent settlers deserve great praise and credit for sending their children daily to school from a great distance (5 miles). Often they had to walk. The average number of pupils attending the school was about 20-25.
Graduates.
Although the School had to contend with great diffi- culties, which hampered to some extent, the proficiency of the studies, irregular attendance on account of inclement weather, unfavorable road conditions, great distance, SS. Peter and Paul's School could send forth some of its pupils as graduates.
SS. PETER AND PAUL'S SCHOOL WITH FORMER PARSONAGE.
SS. PETER AND PAUL'S SCHOOL CHILDREN.
00
1913
SS. PETER AND PAUL'S SCHOOL CHILDREN, TEACHER AND PASTOR.
SCHOOL TEACHERS OF ST. PETER AND PAUL'S SCHOOL
WENDELIN RUDER
THERESIA TSHAN
MARY PAULISSEN
CLEMENTINA GRAMLICH
SUSIE PAULISSUN
MARY SIMON
EDITH KNITTEL
ANNA STOCK
ANNA LASKOFSKY
ETHEL EBERHARDT
1
ANNA MOLIDOR
MARGARET HEBENSBERGER
ELIZABETH HOFF
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Following is the list of those, who received the diplo- ma of proficiency :
1908 Edwin Ruder, Raymond Kral, Joseph Ruder, Philip Ruder, Joseph Emling.
1915 Leroy Bertrand, William Schneider, Edith Ruder, Henrietta Fritz, Agnes Fritz.
The Altar Boys.
The boys, who serve the priest so faithfully at the altar, cannot be overlooked in a Parish History. They are of great assistance during divine service and deserve praise for their zeal in mastering the intricacies of their duties. The boys of SS. Peter and Paul's always considered it a special privilege and honor to serve at God's altar.
Organist and Choir.
Religious music and singing should not be considered as an ornament of divine service, but as a quasi-necessity. The sacred melodies are a prayer of a higher order and kind, and their charm and supernatural influence are felt by everyone. For this reason religious singing was cultivated among the early settlers. Some have given their service for many years and they considered it a great honor to be a member of the Church Choir. They were undaunted by the difficulties and obstacles which are sometimes con- nected with maintaining and upkeeping a choir especial- ly in a Country Parish with widely scattered choir mem- bers. Due to the efforts of some former teachers and organ- ists, the good effects were felt for many years. Pio- neer and subsequent organists and choirsingers deserve the thanks and kind remembrances for their loyalty and unsel- fish service.
Societies.
Parish societies are more or less imperative. An army is better commanded when divided into brigades and di- visions, etc., and Christ's words "I know mine and mine know me," find their practical application. Through or- ganized societies, the pastor gets into closer contact with his flock, they are his right hand in the upbuilding and de- veloping of the Parish, and his work is greatly simplified and made more efficient.
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School Society.
The "School Society" was organized during the 1860's as mentioned above.
Altar Society.
This society was organized during the early years of the parish organization, and reorganized in April 1900. Its purpose was to furnish the requisites for the altar. At all times the members of this Society were mindful of the words of the Psalmist: "I have loved, O Lord, the beauty of thy house and the place where thy glory dwelleth."
Young Men's and Young Ladies' Society.
The Young Men's Society was organized in 1902 under the patronage of St. Raphael and the other in 1900 under the patronage of St. Rose of Lima.
Purgatorial Society.
This Society was established in 1902, it is a society for the dead, its purpose being to be mindful of those who have gone before us in faith. It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from their sins, II Mach 12 46, or as St. Augustine says: We have loved them in life, let us not forget them in death.
Holy Name Society.
The Holy Name society was organized at the close of a Mission, October 28, 1917, with a membership of 53. Its object is to abstain from profane, unbecoming language and to stimulate religious sentiments.
STATISTICS
FIRST BAPTISM. The first baptism of SS. Peter and Paul's Outmission entered in St. Mary's Church record, Kankakee, reads as follows:
I, Chas. Rosenbauer, C. SS. R. baptized on the 11th of March, 1868, Edward, born Feb. 18th, 1868, legitimate son of William King from Ireland and Catherine Phalen from Ireland. Sponsors: Cornelius Riordan from Union Hill, Catherine Keennan from Morris, Illinois.
First baptism after the church in the outmission was built : Mary Magdalen, born July 24, 1869, legitimate daugh- ter of Edward Finger and Rosa Scheiding. Sponsors: Mor- itz Studer and Magdalen Emling. W. Kuchenbuch, pastor.
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FIRST MARRIAGE The first marriage which took place in SS. Peter and Paul's Church was between Louis Spitz and Lizzie Geiger in the summer of 1869, the new church building being not yet completed. Father Kuchenbuch performed the marriage ceremony.
Marriage recorded Nov. 3, 1874: Chrysostom Knittel (widower of Elizabeth Heimburger) age 47, son of Peter Paul Knittel and Catherine Buehrla, and Rosa Peter, age 19, daughter of George Peter and Mary Nau. Witnesses: Martin Geiger and John Heimburger. Gelasius Kuba, officiating pastor.
FIRST BURIAL. Michael Ruder, son of Fridolin and Seraphina Ruder, died 1865. Transfer- red from St. James Cemetery then located on the present site of old Lehigh to SS. Peter and Paul's Cemetery.
First burial in SS.Peter and Paul's Cemetery: Mary Studer, daughter of Francis and Mary Josepha Studer, died 1869, age 5 months, 10 days.
Statistics of SS. Peter and Paul's as a Mission Parish of Sacred Heart Church, Organized July, 1899.
FIRST BAPTISM. Philip Oliver Duval, born July 14, 1899, son of Arthur Duval and Mary Herbst, baptized July 23, 1899. Sponsors: Philip Duval and Louisa Herbst. J. Meyer, pastor,
FIRST MARRIAGE. William Lochner, son of Kilian Lochner and Mary Karcher, and Anna Feller, daughter of Ignace Feller and Mary Peter, married Feb. 6th, 1900. Witnesses: Chas. Feller and Susan Lochner. J. Meyer, pastor.
FIRST DEATH. Lucias Herald Karcher, son of Philip and Lena Karcher, died April 26, 1900, age 7 months, buried in Kankakee.
FIRST INTERMENT.
Erhard Ruder, buried May 5, 1900, age 64.
FIRST COMMUNION. June 30, 1901, Carl Fritz, Henry Saffer, Frank Emling, Anthony Knittel, Eugene Schmidt, Jr., George Feller, Frank
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Fritz, Bernard Wilmeng, Joseph Provencal, Mary Heim- burger, Lilly Fritz, Francis Wilmeng.
CONFIRMATION.
Previous to the appointment of
a resident pastor at Goodrich, those who were to be confirmed had to go either to Kankakee or other neighboring parishes. In 1902, Sept. 18 confirmation took place in Sacred Heart Church for the first time by the Right Rev. Bishop P. Muldoon, Administrator of the Dio- cese; thirty-three of the mission parish were confirmed. Sponsors: Joseph Clodi and Theresia Fritz. Again Oct. 10, 1902, the Most Rev. Archbishop, James E. Quigley ad- ministered the Sacrament of Confirmation to thirty-one recipients. Sponsors: John Karcher, Sr., and Barbara Heimburger. Oct. 30, 1919, confirmation was administered by the Most Rev. Archbishop George W. Mundelein; fif- teen received the sacrament of confirmation. Sponsors: George Fritz and Theresia Fritz.
Number of Baptisms, Marriages, Burials in Subsequent Years Up to July 1, 1920.
Baptisms
Marriages
Burials
1899
4
·
1900
5
1
5
1901
8
1
2
1902
7
3
.
1903
7
. .
2
1904
7
1
. .
1905
7
- 1
1
1906
4
2
1907
6
2
2
1908
6
1
1
1909
5
1
1910
7
1
1
1911
4
.
3
1913
1
2
. .
1914
8
1
1
1915
2
1
3
1916
5
. .
1
1917
6
. .
2
1918
7
. .
2
1919
5
1
3
1920
3
3
2
2
1912
7
.
N.
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Financial Church Support.
Granted the work of the Church is preeminently spirit- ual, but although the Kingdom of God is not of this world it is in this world and for the time being the Church has to deal with material conditions, hence the logical consequence and the absolute necessity of Church support. Money is not everything in Church work, but a good financial basis goes far for the efficiency of the spiritual work. In fact the financial support of the Church is just as much needed as the daily bread.
It is interesting, when writing the history of a parish to study the material, financial side, which is its infallible in- dicator of the spirit of sacrifice. Again our first and sub- sequent settlers understood this well. As years went on and the settlers financially bettered themselves, they were mindful of the Scriptures: "Every one shall offer according to what he has."-Deut. XVII, 17. "Give unto the most High, according to what He hath given thee."-Eccus XXXV, 12.
A Few Items.
On November 24th, 1867 a "Kirchenverein" or Church society was organized. The first meeting netted $19.00. In June 1871 it was agreed that the pews should be sold at auction. Pew rent, 1871, $104.55. Sunday collection in 1876, $15.02. Teachers salary, $325.00. No financial records are extant from December, 1877 to May, 1884.
Some items of the semi-annual financial report, July 1 -Dec. 31, 1899 and other years:
Sunday collection $ 44.32
Pew rent 230.15
Christmas collection
35.03
Total revenues, 1900
1,031.86
Total revenues, 1919
2,064.64
Pew Holders, 1870.
No. 1. Burk Brothers.
No. 4. Matthias Clodi.
No. 2 J. Knittel and Weiler.
No. 5. Carl Ruder.
No. 3. Chryst Knittel and
No. 6. Peter Geiger.
George Peter. No. 7. John Heimburger.
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No. 8. Philip Saffer.
No. 9. Franz Studer.
No. 10. Franz Emling.
No. 11 Geo. Schosser and Pratt.
No. 12. Adam Fritz.
No. 13. Philip Karcher.
Pew Holders, 1918.
Fridolin Ruder.
Joseph Kral.
Ed. Beauclerc.
Mrs. Edward Fritz.
Mrs. Kilian Lochner.
John Karcher, Sr.
Michael Emling.
John Karcher, Jr.
George Fritz.
Andrew Ruder.
Chryst Knittel.
John Ruder.
John Heimburger.
Charles Ruder.
Frank Heimburger.
Otto Herbst.
Joseph Clodi.
John Fritz.
Frank Clodi.
Henry Saffer.
Frank Emling.
Philip Saffer.
John Hebekeuser.
Henry Fritz.
Mrs. X. Schneider.
George Heimburger.
Joseph Schneider.
Kilian Fritz.
George Clodi.
George Ruder.
Fred Feller.
Michael Fritz.
Frank Schneider.
George Lochner.
Frank Karcher.
John Emling.
John Knittel.
John Schneider.
The Pew Rent Collector is well known in a parish. His work calls for patience and tact. Fridolin Ruder has served the church in this capacity for some twenty years and has also taken up the collection on Sundays. In 1906, according to special regulations of the diocese a Church Committee was appointed, consisting of Charles Ruder and George Fritz, who at the same time took up the Sunday collection. All of these officers deserve the thanks of the parish for their faithful and conscientious service during so many years.
SPIRITUAL FRUITS.
There is no greater sacrifice than to leave all that is dearest to us to follow the call for the highest of all loves.
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No greater wonder than to see so many break all family ties, leave father and mother, brothers and sisters for the sake of God, in absolute willingness and joyfulness. On the roll of honor appear the following names of those young ladies who have answered the higher call to the religious life:
Sister Flavia (Elizabeth Lochner), 1905, Sisters of the III Order of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, Joliet, Ill.
Sister Eulogia, (Laura Karcher), 1906, Sisters of the III Order of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, Joliet, Ill.
A number of converts have also been received into the Church.
Notable Events.
Besides the official visits of the Bishops who adminis- tered the Sacrament of Confirmation, the parish enjoyed the visit of priests, mostly from Chicago, and other places too numerous to mention, on the occasion of Forty Hour De- votion or other occasions. Among the many priests who lent their services, we must especially mention the Fathers of the Divine Word of Techny, Illinois. Their touching and forceful sermons will long be remembered. It was also the parish's good fortune to have the visit on several oc- casions of the Right Rev. Mgr. F. Rempe, of Chicago. His splendid sermons will be recalled by many.
The first Mission in SS. Peter and Paul's took place in 1883 and was given by Father Ebel, C. SS. R. of St. Michael's Church, Chicago. In 1901 a second Mission was conducted by Rev. G. Schlachter, C. PP. S. in Nov., 1917 and another Mission by the same missionary from Decem- ber 31, 1905-January 7, 1906. Rev. Father J. Jordans, S. J. held a Mission from October 8 to October 15, 1911. Rev. Father Honoratus Bonzelet, O. F. M. October 21, to Octo- ber 28, 1917. A Mission Cross in the Church bears the in- scription "Rette Deine Seele," "Save Thy Soul." This Mission Cross is a memorial of the different missions held in the past and is to serve as an encouragement and shining guide in the difficult and dark moments of life.
Young and old will always remember the solemn pro- cession on the Feast of Corpus Christi, the four chapels erected in the Church yard and the baldachin carried by the four oldest men in the parish. The early settlers com- ing from the other side of the ocean cherished and loved this procession to a high degree and they would say: "It is just like in the old country."
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Of the events of a more social character, we must men- tion the different entertainments, the dramatic perfor- mances so ably rendered by the school children and the young people; the social gathering of the parish in the form of a picnic, which took place occasionally at the closing of the school.
In 1903 and 1917 a photographic view was taken of the Church building and parishoners.
The eastern part of the Church was moved from its foundation by a heavy cyclone, November 11, 1911. The damage amounting to $469.00, was covered by a tornado insurance.
A noteworty event in our parish history is the celebra- tion of the Golden Wedding Jubilee of Mr. Fridolin and Mrs. Seraphine Ruder, April 18, 1914, who in 1864 were the first ones to contract marriage in the little Church on the present site of old Lehigh, as stated in the foregoing pages.
SILVER JUBILEE
August 8th, 1917, the pastor celebrated his 25th anni- versary in the priesthood, having been ordained at Stras- bourg (Alsace) by Bishop Dr. A. Fritzen. On this oc- casion the parishioners offered their good wishes with a purse in token of regard. At the altar the jubilarian was assisted by the Rev. A. D. Granger, of Kankakee, Ill., and the Rev. C. A. Poissant, of St. George, Ill. The Right Rev. Mgr. F. Rempe of Chicago, a life long friend preach- ed an eloquent and impressive sermon on the occasion. Besides the purse mentioned, the jubilarian was presented with an automobile by the parishoners of SS. Peter and Paul's and Sacred Heart as a mark of appreciation.
GOLDEN JUBILEE.
October 8th, 1919, was a day of special festivities and rejoicing for the members of SS. Peter and Paul's. On that day the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the building of the church and final organization of the par-
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ish was celebrated in a most appropriate and impressive manner. At the solemn High Mass the pastor was cele- brant, assisted by the Reverend J. Kleinsorg, pastor of St. Joseph's Church, Cabery, as deacon; the Reverend George Shark, pastor of St. Peter's Church, Volo, Ill., as subdea- con; the Reverend A. Korthals, pastor of the Immaculate Conception B. V. M. Church, of Kankakee was master of ceremonies. The sermon for the occasion was delivered by the Reverend John Maerke, C. SS. R., of St. Alphonsus Church, Chicago, briefly reviewing the hard labor and great difficulties of people and pastors in early days. A number of outsiders and former parishioners had made their appearance to participate in the celebration. Only a very few of the actual organizers of the parish of a half a century ago were still alive. After the celebration in the church, a tasty repast in the open air was served on the church grounds by the ladies of the parish. On the follow- ing day a Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated in grateful memory for the deceased pioneer and subsequent settlers. Thus will the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary be a golden letter page in the annals of the parish.
THE BOYS IN THE WAR.
The following two soldiers of the parish nobly respond- ed to the call of their country in the World War, "to do or die."
Arthur Fritz-Enlisted August 1st, 1918. Assigned to 4th Infantry Company, 3d Division. Stationed at Camp Wheeler, Ga., Camp Mills, N. J. Sailed with the A. E. F. for France. Was stationed at Plaidt, District Coblenz, Rhenish Prussia, Germany. Discharged August 30, 1919.
Joseph Knittel-Enlisted August 1st, 1918. Assigned to Company H, 124 Infantry, 31st Division. Stationed at Camp Wheeler, Ga., Camp Mills, N. J., Camp Dix, N. J. Served with A. E. F. Sailed for France October 5, 1918. Stationed at Creux and Tailoncourt near Alsace, France. Returned April 16th, 1919. Discharged from Camp Grant, Il1., May 9th, 1919.
Travels.
Extracts from the Travel Diary of The Rev. Joseph Meyer.
"To whom God wishes to confer a signal favor, he sends him on a journey."
Since the seminary days, the writer entertained a strong desire of seeing God's world, some historical cities, monuments, shrines and the great wonders of nature. It was not an emotional restlessness to see something differ- ent from the every day environment, but a legitimate long- ing, craving to go and read in the open book, written by Almighty God. An Oriental proverb says: A frog in the well knows not the ocean. The supreme benefit of travel lies in the priceless recollections, which we bring back from our wanderings. In response to the request of some of the parish members, perhaps more well-meaning than judi- cious, we shall present a short, rapid itinerary, at the risk of being perhaps somewhat tedious and uninteresting.
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