USA > Illinois > Stephenson County > The history of Catholicity in Stephenson County; Illinois > Part 11
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We need not name him ; all recognize the supreme poet and dramatist, Shakespeare; and who is this that follows Shakespeare so closely ? Who is it that, with bowed head, sightless eyes, and a face like one of his own archangels, comes surrounded by visions so magnificent that we may well believe that when overwork closed the eyes of his body to the beautiful things of earth, God opened the eyes of his soul to the sublime realities of heaven.
O Milton ! Homer and Dante combined (with much that is all thine own), to thee, and to the matchless dramatist of all time, I pay my tribute of admiration, praise and love. [ Places flowers in the chaplet.]
OTHER GLORIOUS NAMES .- The young lady who spoke so eloquently on " The Music of the Lyre," omitted many illustrious
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names, noted for their owners' skill in lyric verse. As the blind bard is hidden from our view, by his angels and archangels; as they surround him, in passing down the aisles of Time, he dis- appears, and other forms of dignity and grace present themselves to the imagination.
There is Pope, the brilliant, witty, satirist ; Addison, the pure and exquisite, with poor Dick Steele, who is always somewhere near him; Johnson, mighty wielder of stentorian words; Scott, dear, noble Scott, great in poetry, great in prose, and great in misfor- tune ; Coleridge, deep thinker and most instructive and entertain- ing talker ; DeQuincey, unfortunate "opium eater," of wonderful genius and learning; Lamb, with the peculiar charm and subtle beauty of his style; Macaulay, with his magnificently rounded periods, and a host of others. Scatter flowers and gems if you will, but let some of the choicest of your offerings fall at the feet of these giants of the intellectual world.
HISTORICAL WRITERS :- The poets and dramatists do indeed fulfill a beautiful mission, but how dull the world, how useless the faculty of memory, were the voice of the historian silenced.
Behold that man-one moment erect, strong, confident in the years stretching peacefully before him; the next, bleeding, helpless, doomed to silence and the grave. Great in life, sur- passingly great in death, how long would this hero be remem- bered, did not history inscribe his name on the tablets of fame ?
" Visit some field after battle, look upon the dead and the dying ; they are thrust from this world's interests, from its hopes, its aspirations and its victories, into the visible presence of death. What blight and ruin meet the anguishing eyes of these dying men ; what brilliant, broken plans ; what lofty, baffled ambitions ; what sundering of manhood's strong, warm friendships; what bitter rending of sweet, household ties, - yet they go forth, from this world that is so dear to them, sacrifice these affections that fill them with happiness, and die on the battlefield."
"Should not the hearts of their countrymen thrill with in- stant, profound and universal sympathy, esteem and honor ? Masterful in their triumph over human feeling, should they not
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become the centre of a nation's love, be enshrined in the prayers of a world ? "
It is the historian who records these deeds, and keeps the memory of them beautiful, undimmed and sacred. I pay my tribute, with all the enthusiasm of my heart, to the world's his- torians. [Place flowers.]
MODERN PROGRESS :- La me! how he does go on. One would think it the most delightful thing in the world to be bleeding and dying, with your limbs lying scattered about promiscuously on the battlefield !
Modern Progress is going to stop all that nonsense; if the nations will not submit to arbitration, why, in our next war, we shall have electrified automatons do our fighting, while we con- template the bloodless field, from an air-ship.
SCIENTIFIC WRITERS :- Your impertinent interruption re- minds me of a class of authors that we have, thus far, overlooked. Is it just to forget the writers on science ? Writers whose pens have been as keys, unlocking for us the gateways to discovery and invention ? With what sublime simplicity they dwell on the grand phenomena of natural philosophy and astronomy, on mathematics, Godlike science of numbers almost infinite, on geol- ogy, thrilling history of our planet's growth.
I lay my tribute at the feet of the scientists ; mighty dis- coverers of nature's secrets and wonderful powers; masters are they of the magnificent forces that are daily making and remak- ing the world.
MODERN PROGRESS :- Scientists ? Why, yes; they are my best friends, and the deadly enemies of my old enemy, Supersti- tion. Yes; I approve of Science and its writers.
SPIRIT OF SCIENCE :- What do we care for your approval ? The science of which you approve is not the hand-maid of Re- ligion, mother and queen of all true Sciences.
The masters, to whom we have referred, esteem it their noblest privilege, and highest honor, to sit at the feet of Religion, and to be taught by her.
THE POWER OF ORATORY :- It is claimed that the pen is
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the mightiest instrument in the world, and, indeed, its power is great, but no writer has exerted the same irresistible influence as the great speaker.
" What can surpass the power of an orator ? How he cap- tivates the understanding ; impels or restrains the will of whole assemblies."
" Give a man earnestness of purpose, and an eloquent tongue, the inclinations of the people bend before him, as the grass before the wind. Give him enthusiasm and eloquence, he will inflame the heart, fire the will, illuminate the understanding of each listener in a multitude, and at the bidding of this one man, many men will die, for the cause which his magic tongue has told them is just."
A tribute of honor to the English-speaking orators, in every land, and in every age, it is my happiness to present, and in memory thereof, I place this emblem in the Jubilee Crown. [ Places flowers.]
MODERN PROGRESS :- Truly is this an age of much speaking, and speech-making is much pleasanter than the performance of uselessly grand deeds.
AMERICAN AUTHORS :- You poor, restless Spirit, you seem yourself to be possessed of the modern tendency to windy speech- making.
Sister-Spirits and Brother-Spirits, is our own dear land of freedom too young to have its men great in the realm of letters ?
Does not Literature, as well as all things else that are good and fair, gain glorious existence under "the stars and stripes " ?
Shall we, when paying our tributes of honor, forget Frank- lin, Jefferson and Hamilton, the glory of our colonial age, or fail to see Audubon, surrounded by the American birds he loved so well to describe ? Can we pass, unnoticed, such names as Adams, Madison, Channing and Allston ?
Is there, in English Literature, a fairer memory than that of the boy of eighteen whose mind was of so serious and profound a character as to produce " Thanatopsis "? Tenderly and rever- ently let us follow Bryant, through all his spotless career, him
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who was the " Father of American Poetry," the poetry of nature, at once our Chaucer and our Wordsworth.
In imagination, we look upon him ; his face, uplifted, bears the expression of one whose thoughts are always dwelling on pure and lofty themes; his glance is one of reverent observation, ever fixed on nature's beauty and charm ; his heart, so his lovely old face, as well as his poetry, tells us, is full of deep religious feeling, a feeling that ever dictates pure and lofty expression to the classic dignity of his pen.
Turning, reluctantly, from Bryant, we gaze with fond affec- tion upon our other silver-haired minstrel, dear Longfellow; his name a household word, his poetry an ever increasing delight,. particularly sacred to the Catholic heart, which finds, on Long- fellow's pages, so many beautiful poems of which the Church was- the inspiration.
Not far away, we see Whittier, so fierce in his denunciation of wrong, so gentle in his tenderness for the right, so strong in his charity and love.
Sunny-tempered, laughter-loving Dr. Holmes-how much joy he has caused to exist, in hearts and homes, honored forever be his memory ! And there is Lowell, the many-sided, the many- gifted, the unsurpassed; Poe, the brilliant and erratic; Saxe, the oddest of humorists; Read, poet and artist; Boker, poet and banker; Lanier, sweet southern song-bird, and Father Ryan, above and beyond them all, in many respects, though all are worthy singers to the music of the lyre. Many a sweet-voiced songstress, too, might be mentioned, did time and space permit.
In the field of prose, who have scattered nobler seeds than Irving, Prescott, Bancroft, Cooper, Hawthorne, Emerson, and, that giant among them all, O. A. Brownson ?
To the memory of America's writers, then, I offer a wreath of her own fair flowers, their fragrance is not purer, sweeter, richer than the sentiments and expressions I intend them to symbolize and to honor. [ Places a wreath of wild flowers around the base- of the crown.]
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MODERN PROGRESS :- Well, of all the nonsense I ever listened to! Not a word about our truly great men, our millionaires ; nor about their daughters, who have done so much honor to America, by marrying into the English nobility.
Poets, indeed ! Useless men, in a busy, progressive country, such as this. Luckily they have died off pretty fast of late years.
WOMAN'S PEN :- Could the sick, the weary or the afflicted spare the touch of woman's hand, or consent that the gentle tones of her voice be silenced ? The hand that ministers to the weak and the suffering, yet manages household affairs, need not be less skill- ful in wielding the pen. Noble and blessed, in every sphere, woman has not failed to fulfill highest duties in the world of let- ters.
" Since the days, when the mother of Samuel proclaimed God to be the Lord of knowledge and the Giver of understanding,. since the days when Miriam, the sister of Moses, taught sacred canticles to the young Israelites in the temple, there has been no age without women among its scholars, its warriors and its writers. of song." Nowhere do we find the beautiful realized, with more vividness, simplicity and grandeur, than on the pages of the- female writers of various periods of time, and of many lands.
" A woman's impulses are naturally heavenward in tendency, hence the gift of poetry is for her a great, a noble instrument, used for a sublime end." Would that I had an offering of the purest and most fragrant lilies to lay at the feet of the female writers of every literary epoch. [Put flowers in the crown.]
MODERN PROGRESS :- Who are these old-fashioned women you are quoting to us? To be sure, the warriors are all right ; woman should be able to fight her own battles, but, between times, I'd have her at something better than writing poetry. Not poetry, but politics, should be the field for her wonderful abilities.
AESTHETIC WRITERS :- Do not turn from me in disgust, be- cause my subject suggests sunflowers and all things a-la-modern culture, or because the term culture is so often misapplied to weak artificiality.
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" There has been much eloquence expended on 'diamonds in the rough,' but we know that it is the refined and cultured who give most pleasure to others, and themselves find in life the highest delight. It is the cultured taste that rejoices in all things high and pure; that gathers, from all sources, the rarest treasures, wherewith to enrich the mind wherein it dwells. The aesthetic writer is quick to conceive ideas of loveliness and perfection, that another could not grasp.
" The most profound learning, the most varied acquirements, could not compensate for the absence of culture and refinement. To the cultured ear, all sweet sounds of nature are music, and music itself a rapture. To the cultured eye, all things in nature are fraught with meanings ineffably sweet and infinitely sublime. To the truly cultured heart, no just appeal from nature, art or humanity, is made in vain; such a heart ever responds with magical sympathy and an elevating influence." Refinement, like disposition, is natural; true Christian culture, like virtue, must be acquired ; yea, acquired, as are habits of virture, by mak- ing " stepping-stones of our dead selves to higher things." To the truly refined and cultured I pay my tribute. [ Places flowers.]
MODERN PROGRESS :- Making " stepping-stones of one's self" must be miserably disagreeable ! If to be gloriously uncomfort- able is to be cultured, what a lofty mind and refined heart Diogenes must have had, when passing his delightful days under a tub! I wonder-is he the patron philosopher of aesthetic writers and cultured readers ?
SPIRIT OF CULTURE :- Begone, rude Spirit ! Falsely calling herself "Modern Progress," she has held a place among us too long. Come, True Advancement, give me your assistance, and we will banish her from our court and company, where she has shown herself merely a noisy intruder. [Culture and Advance- ment lead her from the stage and then they return to their places.]
PHILOSOPHICAL WRITERS :- The tribute to heroes on literary fields would be imperfect, were we to forget the writers on
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philosophy-that grand, subtle, mysterious science of the mind and its wonderful faculties.
Philosophy is the discoverer of all scientific laws, the creator of all inventions, the interpreter of all historical events, and the solution of all the problems of nature. Without it, language would be a mere confusion of words, and literature a snare.
" In philosophy, all theories find either a proof or a refutation, for it analyzes all sensations and corrects all perceptions. It con- trols, moderates and guides the most enchanting pleasure of life, the use of our reason. It dictates to us how we shall, with fidelity of memory and brilliancy of imagination, impart light and knowledge to other minds. All science is the field of its con- quests ; all art the application of its principles."
" The illumination of an age does not consist in the amount of its knowledge, but in the broad and noble principles that gov- ern and actuate the people." Now, of all universal laws, of all broad principles, and of all grand ideas, Philosophy is the inspirer, and has her place, next to Revelation, in the Temple of Faith.
From the lofty mountain top of thought, the Christian Philosopher views the entire stream of harmonious truths, and rejoices in the revelation they are of the infinite mind of God ; rejoices that there is a progress and an advancement, an up- ward and an onward, which include a clearer knowledge of God and a nearer approach to His infinite perfections.
To Christian Philosophers I pay my tribute of honor, ad- miration and praise. [ Places flowers in the chaplet.]
RELIGIOUS WRITERS :- During all the beautiful school year, we have learned no lesson of which God was not the Alpha and Omega. No page of history, no stanza of poetry, did our eyes rest upon that we did not read, between the lines, the story of God's love and the hymn of His glory.
It is fitting, then, that we commemorate the glorious work of Religious Writers; fitting that we recall the productions of those noble minds that ever aim at a close union with the eternal mind of God. They have dictated, to glowing pens, words of highest, holiest meaning, messages of ineffable beauty and lessons
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of priceless worth. From the days of the stylus and waxen tab- lets to these pens and printing presses, there has been no age not glorified by the writings of the scholars and saints of the Church of God.
To these I make my floral offering of reverent affection and highest esteem. [ Places long-stemmed flowers in a vase standing in the middle of the garland.]
DEFENDERS OF THE FAITH :- In every department of litera- ture we find them, these noble "defenders of the faith "; these high-minded philosophers, dignified historians, brilliant essayists and sweet-voiced lyrists-all, either announcing, defending or adorning the Truth. All filling the mind with high thoughts, the heart with generous ambitions, the soul with noble aspira- tions.
I do not name them, these great ones, the minds capable of appreciating them know them; the hearts they have instructed and strengthened love them ; the souls they have inspired with a holy enthusiasm bless them.
Priests and religions, their debtors, for some of life's sweetest, richest and most sanctifying hours, hold them in reverent re- gard, as true friends and monitors, while we, too young yet to fully appreciate them, hope to know them better in the bright future.
We now place, above all your offerings, ours to the Religious Writers and to the Defenders of the Faith. [ Places long-stemmed flowers in the vase standing surrounded by the chaplets, which rests, finished, on the table.]
SPIRIT OF LITERATURE :- We have done well, sweet Spirits ; we have banished false Progress, and we have completed our fragrant, bright-hued chaplet, emblematic of the unfading beauties and imperishable perfumes of spiritual and intellectual delights.
Ere we part, let us join in a glad hymn of thanksgiving. [ They sing and then depart.]
" The Jubilee Spirits " is orginal, and was written by one of the Dominican Sisters, expressly for the occasion.
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" The Literary Chaplet " is made up of essays, partly original and partly adapted from various sources; it, also, was arranged by one of the Sisters teaching in the school.
The manner in which the pupils of St. Mary's High School acquitted themselves, in presenting these difficult essays, was highly commendable, and elicited praise from every one in the vast audience, before which they appeared with so much ease and grace.
Few features of the Jubilee Celebration afforded Father Horan so high a degree of pleasure as this tribute from the chil- dren of his beloved school, for, though it was not possible to bring the various classes together, in vacation, to practice anything dramatic, they all joined in the singing, so that each pupil of each department contributed to the enjoyment of the occasion, and was thereby personally gratified and honored, having, too, the pleasure of storing away the event, in the memory, for future delectation.
At intervals, between the vocal and the oratorical contribu- tions, Masters Charles, Clement and Peter Gordon, also Miss Mamie Gordon, gave choice instrumental selections on piano and violin.
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How the Great Event was Celebrated at St. Joseph's Church.
At St. Joseph's the jubilee services were of a very impressive character. The Rev. Father Kalvelage celebrated solemn high mass at 10 o'clock, as Bishop Messmer did not arrive. He was assisted by Deacon Rempe, as deacon, and the Rev. Father Meyer, as sub-deacon. Father Meyer delivered a sermon that was very appropriate, and truly eloquent.
At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, Archbishop Feehan adminis- tered the rite of confirmation to a class of about one hundred and twenty-five, ninety from St. Joseph's and the others from parishes in the vicinity.
On Sunday, at solemn mass, the choir sang Wigard's Mass, in honor of St. Joseph, and were assisted by the St. Pius' Orchestra. Sopranos, Mrs. J. H. Siefelder, Mrs. C. Drexlar, Misses Josie Metz, Tillie Redlinger, Nellie Trunck, Clara Straub, Cornelia Steffen, Ida and Sophie Secker, Alma Kautenberger, Clara Secker and Anna Tappe; altos, Mrs. Theresa Tappe, Mrs. Julia Cavanaugh and Miss Nellie Steffen ; tenors, Messrs. Stephen Bucher, A. E. Wieneke, T. Kinzig and P. Kautenberger ; bassos, Ernst and John Tappe and Fred Rodemeyer. Orchestra, R. Luecke, 1st violin ; Ed. Rotzler, 2nd violin; P. Vodecka, clarionet, J. A. Siefelder, double bass; Gustav Ullrich, cello.
The introit, gradual, offertory and communion were Greg- orian, and in keeping with the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
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The services in the evening were followed by an eloquent sermon, by the Rev. Father C. Danz, of Mayence, Germany, which was listened to by a congregation that filled the church to the very doors. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament closed the sacred celebration.
The decorating of St. Joseph's Church for the Golden Jubilee services was very beautifully and artistically done. Be- tween the windows, on the side walls, depended festoons of white and yellow bunting and ropes of evergreen twisted together, while long strips of drapery and ropes of evergreen were caught up to the high ceiling. The choir-loft rail was similarly dressed. The richest decorations were within the chancel rail; above the sanc- tuary lamp swung a large anchor of white and gold, while the altars were almost hidden with flowers, every niche having its vase, and on each projection was hung a wreath. Both inside and outside of the rails, were banked foliage plants and pots of flowers.
Among Father Kalvelage's guests were Bishop Messmer and Bishop Janssen, also several priests. The first service, on Sunday, was at 7 o'clock, and at 8, the Right Reverend Bishop Messmer celebrated Low Mass and administered Holy Communion. At 10 o'clock, solemn High Mass was celebrated, and in the afternoon Archbishop Feehan confirmed a large class of boys and girls.
Monday morning, the Jubilee services began with a Pontifical High Mass by Bishop Janssen, and a sermon by Bishop Messmer. In the evening, the parishioners joined in the parade, after which there was a sermon at St. Joseph's Church, by the Rev. C. Danz, of Mayence, Germany. In conclusion, Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament was given.
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Religious and Literary Associations attached to St. Mary's Church.
The benefits arising from the association of persons with similar ideas have always been recognized by the Church; her sodalities, and her religious communities, existing as they have in every age, are sufficient and illustrious proof of this wise adaptation of worthy means to still worthier ends.
In every well organized parish, then, are to be found socie- ties of various kinds, carrying out the good purposes of zealous pastors and earnest parishioners. St. Mary's, an example in all else, is not wanting in this particular; she has her excellent youths and virtuous maidens, her faithful men and pious women, banded together, in a number of associations, admirable alike for their large membership and their zealous undertakings.
The Holy Name Society, established by the Dominican Fathers, during a mission given by them, in 1890, boasts a mem- bership of about seven hundred men.
The Married Ladies' Sodality, or Altar Society, has ninety members. The officers in this, the Jubilee Year, are: President, Mrs. K. Stanley ; vice president, Mrs. P. J. Lonergan ; secretary, Mrs. L. Thro; treasurer, Mrs. J. Rau.
For purposes of lawful amusement, and to counteract the evil influences of worldly associations, the Columbus Club was formed, soon after Father Horan became pastor of St. Mary's. To it belong the gentlemen of the parish between the ages of six- teen and seventy. They have a well equipped hall, where they
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may enjoy manly recreations, without fear of injury to them- selves or their neighbors; here they may assemble, for amuse- ment, at any hour they choose, but they have a regular society meeting once a month.
The Young Ladies' Society of the Blessed Virgin numbers fifty active members, out of a hundred registered, and, in union with the Married Ladies' Sodality, constitutes the " Altar-Fund Association," which is responsible for the debt on the main altar. This altar would have been donated, by the heads of two fami- lies, but the pastor desired that all the parishioners should have the benefit of the Mass to be offered twice a month, forever, for those, in the parish, or elsewhere, who make a monthly donation of twenty-five cents , for three years, towards the payment of this debt.
These two sodalities, sometimes singly, sometimes in union, have accomplished many valuable services for the parish. Both are ever prompt, zealous and successful, in responding to any call made upon them, or their funds, by the pastor, in behalf of the church, or in the cause of charity.
St. Thomas' Sodality, to which all the school children belong, has been referred to, at length, in the chapter on St. Mary's School, but we will here add that no sodality has been more zealous, nor has any accomplished more good deeds, for God, and for souls, than this band of pure, loving young hearts.
St. Mary's Dramatic Society, with its talented young mem- bers, has distinguished itself by a series of dramatic and musical entertainments of a high character, both as to the nature of the programmes presented and the skill of the performers of the sev- eral parts. The officers, under whose efficient direction this association has won such an enviable name, are as follows: President, Rev. L. X. DuFour; vice president, Mr. Jas. O'Rourke ; secretary, Miss B. Knipschild ; treasurer, Mr. Ed. Lawless ; stage manager, Mr. J. L. Carroll ; press agent, Mr. J. Rau ; properties, Mr. A. Lagron.
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