CEREMONY AT CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VII, Issue 343, 14 November 1879, Page 2

CEREMONY AT CHRISTCHURCH.

On Saturday morning last we left Dunedin by the express train for the purpose of being present the following day at the ceremony of opening the new organ in the Church of the Blessed Saciament, Christchurcb. For the information of our readeis at adistance from either of the cities in question, we may add that the journey occupies abdut eleven hours, and lies through a country of great interest. Indeed, there is nothing wanting that should delight the lover of beantilul scenery, or conduce to the gratification of those who watch the growth of a people in prosperity. At first the line passes along the coast, climbing amongst hills covered with the " foiest primeval," and at whose foot the ocean breaks upon the sand and rock 9, in some places Washing the very base of lofty cliffs, upon the verge of which the railß are laid. And then, after a little, a stretch of agricultural country is reached, whose port is the finely situated and rising town of Oamaru, But truth obliges us to remark that, to the traveller by rail, this towu of Oamaru appears under decided disadvantages. He has left Dunedin at half-past seven in the morning having, unless very matutinal in his habits, breakfasted rather scantily, and he naturally expects that at the first station of importance reached by a journey of some four hours, made hungry by the fresh breezes of the ocean and the hills, he will find due provision for the cravings of humanity. He finds he is allowed a halt of fifteen minutes, and issues at once from the carriage to search for refreshments, but not a morsel of food, good, bad, or indifferent, is there to be found within some hundreds of yards of the railway platform. The nearest means of providing for nis wants he at last perceives to exist in a row of hotels and eating houses, at a considerable distance from the railway. It was in one of these establishments that we learned the art of constructing sandwiches a la chiiioise, for the kitchen door being slightly ajar while the repast we ordered was being prepared, we had the advantage of observing the Mongolian cook at work. He plied his knife amongst the beef right skilfully, but with a fine contempt for that domestic article — the fork, possibly arising from his early acquaintance with the chopstick, he seized each slice of meat he cut in nis fingers, and dexterously chucked it in amongst the bread. We went on our way, and munched our dainty morsel under the pretence that we were voluntarily chastising a cci tain disgust that had arisen in us against the Chinese domestic, from certain paragraphs that had appeared in Californian papers, and which disgust we, now for the moment, decided to be un-Chrihtian. We had long known that " hunger is the best bailee," and we found now, that it also is a most powerful moral instructor. The journey fvem Oamaru to Christchurch lies through a perfectly level country, and which, for the most part, is extremely fertile the pasture and corn-land being of the finest possible quality. There are. however, some extensive barren tracts covered with shingle, and which are of dreary aspect. But, on the whole, a more cheerful, a richer, or a more comfortable-lookinj country we never before had passed through: it is well settled, and has all the appearance of perfect civilization. It will be of interest to our "Evangelical" friends to learn that on this journey of which we write, the cause of the "Gospel" was not neglected. It is. if we recollect aright, Wilkie Collins who, in one of his sensational stories, describes a soft lady who, believing she had seen a ghost, insists upon thinking of her " latter end." There was a lady in the carriage in which we travelled for a considerable part of the distance, who al6o was openly occupied in preparation for her latter end, and, what is still more, she had a charitable eye towards the latter ends of her neighbours as well. She had, in short, a goodly bag stuffed with tracts out of which she drew copiously as the train passed along for her own spiritual wants, and dispensed the " word" to several of those aiound her. We fear for our own part we looked hopelessly intractable for we were not iuvited to partake of the feast, but we observed that when a gentlemen who sat beside us, and who had a still worse appearance, picked up by accident one of the savoury documents in question, the lady dropped her eyes and uttered an inward prayer that the bread thus cast upon the waters might be found after many days. Those days have not yet elapsed so we cannot say what the result may be. We may remark that on the return journey over the same ground we were differently entertained. A party that we may briefly designate as that of •' Jack a-sbore," predominated in the carnage, and it was felt by some who were piesent that it would have been more agreeable bad it been recognised that the privileges allowed to Jack a-shore had been scrupulously restricted to Jill when she was on sea and there alone. It is not to our purpose to enter upon any description of Christchurch, which, moreover, we saw under the disadvantages arising from the day or our visit to it being Sunday, and a high wind stirring up dense clouds of dust. With the buildings, however, connected with the Catholic mission we lat

seme correm. Tliis naismm owns an extensive, convenient, and valr, able Work of picujid, and on it are 6ituatrd the boys' school, a buildirg of geed 6i'ze and neat appearance, the pre6bjtery cewlyc(tt]l«ted, tubMnntinl, and rehprciable ; such a house, in hboit, »F is iror.irtd to provide bcaltty and fittiiip accommodation Soi tie r< riests at all times, fend to furnish the bisbop, occasionally, with a suitable dwelling place. It is particularly neat and commodious, but there is nothing about it designed merely for show, the grounds surrounding it are nicely sheltered by gum-trees and poplars of fine growth. Close by the presbytery stands the Church of the Blessed Sacrament a spacious building of wood, and within of considerable pretensions to beauty. The interior consists of the nave with an ais^ on either 6ide, and over its door an organ loft, with the famous new instrument, and tbe Banctoaiy, to render which a fitting shelter for the altar, with its All-Boly Tenant, a great deal has been done. The roof which, like that of the entire church, is constructed of polished wood is handsomely arched and supported on pillars ; and behind the altar are some beautiful windows, so const) ucted as to male the Sanctuary, and tbe two smaller aisles, of which one extends on either side of it to tbe wall in the rear, seem gorgeously empannelled with stained glass ; of these windows that in the aisle on the Gospel 6ide of the altar contains the representations of St. Augustine, Apostle of England, and 6t. Patrick, that behind the altar on the same &ide displays St. Luke, St. John, and St. Peter, and that in the centre, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, tbe Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, and St. Joseph with the Sacred Infant. The window on the Epistle side contains 6t. Paul, St. Matthew, and St. Mark, and that of the adjoining aisle shows Sts. Bridget, and Margaret, the Queen. The colours in which the figures are robed are extremely rich aud bright, and their faces particularly 6weet and expressive. The altar is richly adorned, and some large bunches of golden foliage and clusters of grapes placed on either side the tabernacle have a brilliant effect Tbe altars of the Blessed Virgin, and of the Sacred Heart, also in which the greater aisles respectively terminate are well cared for and, if we mistake not, display evident marks of the neighbourhood and taste of a religious community whose members are for the most part French ladies, noted all over the world for their skill in such matters as this. On the block of ground to which we allude is aUo situated tbe Convent of the Sisters of Notre Dame des Nissions ; of this, however, we are hardly qualified to speak, as we only saw so much of it as may be commanded by the eyes of a stroller on the out-side of the high iron fence that surrounds the enclosure. We may neveitheless say that what we did see inclines us to believe that there is much need of the new building which the good sisters are now about to undertake. Plans for the Convent and schools have been drawn by Mr. T. B. Jacobsen and approved by the Lady Superior of tbe Order in New Zealand. These constructions will be all that is required to enable the community to carry out their pious works successfully, and to ensure the comfort, health, and progress of their pupils. On Saturday evening last, then, the Bishop of Dunedin, accompanied by the Rev. Father O'Malley, S.J., anived in Christchurch, where they were received at the terminus by the Bishop of Wellington, and the Rev. Father Ginaty, S.M., and conducted to tbe Presbytery. The intention of their journey was to take part in the ceremony of the following Sunday. For ourselves, we were present on the morning in question at the " Children's Mass " at 9 a.m., and w* re veiy much pleased at wbat we'witnefsed on tbe occasion. Dujing tbe cell bration of the Holy Sacrifice the school child) en sang hymns very sweetly and harmoniously, and tbe music chosen was singularly pietty ; the neat well btbaved lows of little ones presented a most agreeable sight, and testified well to tbe care bestowed upon their education and training. The number of communicants also at this Mas-*, notwithstanding that several celebrations bad previously taken place, spoke eloquently of the healthy state of the mission under the direction of the Rev. Father Ginaty, and his worthy assistant the Rev. Fathei I>evoy. But the ccietoony of tbe day was the Pontifical High Mass, Coraw Ejyiscojw, to be celebrated by his Lordship the Bishop of Dunedin, commencing at 11 a.m., and for this we waited sauntering here and there around the church ; we found that several people bad come from a distance for the occat>ion, some had come to greet their bishop, the Most Rev. Dr. Redwood ; one gentleman who bad ridden several miles on such an errand baid he bad known His Lordship since be wab a boy. " There was something beautiful about him," be added, " different from other boys. I always said, if be does become a prie6t be will be highly distinguibbed." Others had come to hear the Bey. Father O1O 1 A! ailey, concerning whom they Lad read so much in the newspapers, and the new organ also was a great centre of attraction. This instrument was first beaul preparatory to the entrance of the procession of the l.isbops and priests from the vestry to tbe sanctuary. It is of mellow tone and considerable power, well suited to the size of the cbuicb in which it is placed, and under tbe able instrumeutation of Professor Hughes will be a vast addition to tbe venerable ceremonies peifoimcd. tlieie. The j\lass selected for the <m rat-ion was Hajdn's No. 1, which was nicely executed. This choir possesses, moreover, the pient aiUnutacre of owning several veiy goo I voices. Tbeie is, foi instance, a fine bass, and one or two extremely cleai aud sweet sopranoes. In the antiphon 'luta Pulchva tx Maria, composed by Professor Hughes and sung during the offeitory, the ba-b in

question was most < ffc-ctive. The piocession which presented tlie not usual spectacle in this colony of two bishops attended by fi\e and innumerable acolytes, was stiikin<rly inipn ssive. It v ne from the vestry on the epistle side of the altai. throu f h the smaller aisle, and so round in front of the altar, entei ing the sunctuaiy

by tbe middle door of the communion rail. The vestments worn by the priests about to officiate were of cloth of gold, and coutiasted beautifully with the {iuj pie lobes of the mobt revcr< ud celebrant, as well jw with the scarlet soutanes of the acolytes. His Loid^hip, the Bit-bcp of Wellington, ascended the episcopal throne, at which the Jvev. Father Ginaty rfliciated as assistant priest, and tbe Hi shop of Dunedin Pontificated with the Rev. Fathers O'Malley, b.J , and (Jniuhole ab deacon and sub-deacon respectively, and the Rev. Father TVeit^- as master of the cxTunomct-. A wry noticeable feature in thu

celebration was the intonation of tbe epistle by Father Grihnholz, who possesses a voice of wonderful power and sonorousness. The presence, indeed, of the rev. father on the altar was not without a peculiar interest. He is a priest of Dantzic in Prussian Poland and is a victim to tbe Falk Laws, he has more than once been imprisoned and is now in exile for conscience sake. Standing on an altar in New Zealand in the midst of ecclesiastics of other nationalities, and able without the mastery of tbe language of ordinary life spoken by them, to take & principal part in the ceremonies in which they were engaged he was a living monument of the Church's universality and of her wisdom in retaining the ancient tongue that was the vernacular when the first Pope occupied the Roman See. The vanity of persecution is also evident in this rev. father ; for the Prussian persecutors thinking through his person to injure the Church in the country to which be belongs have by means of him done much to benefit her in New Zealand ; he is engaged here in a most useful mission amongst our Polish fellow-colonists. On the conclusion of tbe Gospel tbe sermon was preached by the Fey. Father O'Malley, S.J., who ascended the pulpit still wearing the cloth of gold dalmatic of the deacon. He took for his subject a passage from Psalm 160, " Praise Him with strings and organs. 1 ' The reverend preacher traced the history of music from its origin. It had probably begun with Enos, David had composed the Psalms and had set them to music. It was related of St. Ignatius Martyr that he had these Psalms sung in his church in alternate verses. The soul of man could only be reached by means of his senses ; it was bard to convey ideas to the mind of the blind or deaf, and to that of those who wanted both sight and hearing wellnigh impossible. The Church employed all that was beautiful in instructing and edifying her members ; she made use of beautiful ceremonies and beautiful buildings. She adopted the use of music also ;to the voices of men and women she added the sweet sounds of inanimate tubes. Even the least intelligent felt their spirits stirred by the exquisite sounds of music. How noble was the office of the organist, who sat before his instrument and at will filled the great building with an ocean of sound, or 6poke in gentle tones to the heart of the listener. He should be no mere mechanical performer ; his nature should be lofty, so that he might appreciate the task he had to perform. The Church it was that had brought the organ to perfection ; private individuals might have loved music and done everything in their power to encourage it, but they passed away, and tbe prince of instruments needed an undying patron, such a patron had been found for it in tbe Church. The preacher concluded a most scholarly and polished discourse with two pictures of extreme beauty — the one of tbe Israelites crossing the Red Sea and emerging from it to sing their triumphant hymn ; the other of the angels whose burden was " Peace on earth to men of good will." On the conclusion of the sermon an indulgence of 100 days waa granted to all who were present on the usual conditions by his lordship the Bishop of the Diocese. The sermon was described by the Lyttelton Times of the following day as a '• model of pulpit eloquence — caltn, flowing, not overstrained, its well chosen diction delivered in mild accents, and with graceful but dignified action completely rising the attention of the congregation." We, further, regard it as a high compliment to the preacher that, in i<m inning from the chuicb we heaid a critic on the road complain because hi had nut pieach^d at greater length. Iniheeveiiing Pontifical Yespeis weiv celebrated, and Bi-ncdictiou of tbe Most Hol> bacianunt given, the Bishop of Dunedin again acting as celebifint. The seinion was piuacbed by the Biohopof Wellington. His loidship, before he announced his subject, took the opportunity of leturning thanks publicly to the Bishop of Dunediu for bis presence and for his kindntss in officiating tbiough«>ut the day. and also to the •'dibtiugui.vhec Jesuit," the Rev. Father O'Malley, for bis fine and appropriate sermon of the foienoon. Ibe Bishop then delivered a most impie-sive discouise on the words of the creed, " And in Jesus Christ His Only Son." His lordship's contention was that in the same manner in which the existence of God may be proved from the vi&ible oreation, the existence aud Divinity of Christ might be proved by the circumstances of the Christian world. By the Chribtian world he understood, strictly speaking, the Catholic thurch only ; but, iv a broader sense, he would include all those see's that believed in Chiist, although they possessed only a fiagmetitary Christianity, borne holding one portion of the truth and some another, but none of them the whole. The Incarnation was too strange aud beautiful not to be true. His lordship then alluded to borne ot the theories put forward by the infidelity of tbe day, and pointed out their fallacy. History, he continued, all centred iv the Incarnation, and without this lost its meaivng. Philosopher had ebtablibhed systenib that had lasted fora time and then died away and were forgotten, but tbe doctiiie of Christ endured. Who was there who would iniUienoe the woild after his death, when the workers of the giave bad consumed his flesh and dissolved his boues, but the love of the Christian world continued to be given to Christ. It is, however, vain for us to endea\uur to gi\o any adequate idea of such a sermou us this iv a bhort abstract, such as we can alone present to our readers. It was a clear, convincing aisjumunt of which one step fitted into what had gone before, and f llowed necessarily fiom it, an.l to n y aud to c nidens ■ i-> simply to disfigme and obscure. Suffice it to say", then, that it wa- :t most able di->coui»u and most eloquently delivered. And now. in conclumou, we are veiy sensible \t is not our piovmce to ciiticise any lcligious function, for us> to do so would not only be an impeuuiL-nse, but what is still woi&e, an impiety, but we cannot be accused ol placing the cutic if we say that the ceremon'is of the dfiy wtie veiy beai'ti fully car.ied thiough, and in a manner calculated to confei much edification on tho>e who witnessed ih in. It thoie be people who still picture to themselves New Zealaud as a coumiy of at least serai-ba. b.tnans. it may surprise them much to learn that heie, nevertheless, the august services of the Church may be been performed with all the circumstances of spkndoui that aie riquned duly to honour them. Beautiful burroundmgs, gorgeous vestments, fine, uiu&ic, learning and eloquence what mori- car. tbeie be found in the most enhghteued capitals of Europe? And yot we may honestly affirui that all, to a very considerably degree, were piW-jit ty euhauoc tuu cc-r&muni^ tti

last Sunday at Chrietchurch. The Rev. Fathers Ginaty and Devoy are much to be congi atulated on the successful result of their preparations and labours.

On Monday, the Bishops, accompanied by the Rev. Fathers Ginaty, Devoy, and Giiinbolz visited the Boys' School at 10 a.m. This school is large and well-ventilated, neatly-kept and furnished with every requisite. There were present 200 boy 6, whose appearance and conduct were most creditable to their teachers, Mr. O'Connor and bis assistants. A hymn was first sung and then a very nice address to the Bishop of the Diocese was read with good expression by one of the pupils. His lordship made a feeling reply, and on its conclusion, at his request, the Bishop of Dunedin spoke a few woids, congratulating the boys on the means they enjoyed of receiving their education in a thoroughly Catholic school, and reminding them of their obligation to correspond with the benefits bestowed upon them. The Bishop of Wellington then gave the school his blessing. The Convent of the Sacred Heart of our Lady of Missions was next visited. 300 girls, belonging to all its schools, were assembled there, mot>t becomingly attired, and presenting a particularly pleasing appearance ; but as the buildings were not sufficiently spacious to afford accommodation, the reception of the bishops took place in the open air, where a dais had been erected. The proceedings commenced by some beautiful singing, and then a well-worded and touching address was presented to th« Bishop of Wellington. His lordship made a suitable reply, and again requested the Bishop of Dunedin to speak. A peculiarity in the address of the girls was that they expressed a strong hope that their bishop would remain constantly amongst them, and his Lordship in his reply said he would do what he could in this respect consistently with his duties to other parts of his diocese. Referring to this request tbe Bishop of Dunedin said he would begin where his Lordship of Wellington had left off, he would remind the children that they must not give way to selfishness or jealousy. There were many children in other parts of their bishop's large diocese, who weie as anxious as they were.to have nim amongst them, and his Lordship must give to everyone what he owed to them. His duties were very onerous : he presided over a vast diocese, and he was obliged to attend to the needs of many centres of population. His Lordship concluded by congratulating the children on their excellent schools, and large numbers, and said he hoped the present building would ere long be replaced by a noble convent, worthy of the great work that was now being carried on there. In the afternoon the bishops, accompanied by the Rev. Fathers Chataigner, Ginaty, Devoy, and Griinholz visited the school-cbapels at Papanui and Halswell. In the former building, a very neat school-chapel, the child) en were assembled, and as elsewhere there were singing, and the presentation of a most pleasing address to the bishop, to which a suitable reply was made. Here also the Bishop of Wellington asked that three cheers should be given for the Rev. Father Chataigner, who might be called tbe pioneer priest of CaDterbuiy ; who had done all the rough woik ; to whom the province was indebted for having laid there the foundations of religion, and who was still engaged in energetically carrying on his holy work in the southern district. In a word, eveiything that was witnessed m Christchurch and its neighbourhood testified highly to the great piogiess that religion is making there, and it must be extiemely gratifying to the Rev. Father Ginaty to find that the zealous and wise labours he has based on the foundations he found laid on his ai rival at the scene of his flourishing mission are daily producing such remarkable fruits.

The Bishop of Dunedin returned to Dunedin by the express train on Tuesday last.