The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume], December 26, 1875, Morning, Page 8, Image 8

About The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881

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arelna Star an CUatheMl Messenger.
NW OLrsuAs. SUIDAr. DpgoMsE aU. ns
teb
Ts JUBstLs ON TrX szXICAx 0o6D5.
LAsEno, Wssa CohrrTr, Tzxas. ten
Feast "Nsestra eSnor de GOadalupe," 1R75.
Eater Mornintg ar ;o
Tbe Jubilee exercises at the new and com
modloa parish churh of Laredo (vieje) were i
Sopened on Baunday Oectober 31st, by the rev. h
Oblatee of Mary, Fathers Hip, Olivier and J. the
Jaries, wbho were Joined the day after by the
Father J. M. Clem, of the mea Order and with fall
the assistance of the Rev. olergof thia parish, tbt
Fathers A. K. 8oeobos, J. Dumoulin and J. am
Lagier, sooseesfully conducted to an end on
Monday, November 15th. An event of much 00
interest was the solemn blessing, with impo
sing ceremonies of a beauotful new bell, weigh
ing 425 pounds, from Meneely's celebrated the
fonrdry, presented to our church by one of our Shr
most seccessful merohaots and sheep-raisers slit
and his estimable lady, on Sunday, the arst An
day of the mission. alt
On Toeeday (All Souls' Day). an immense bl
number of the faithful, under the guidance of
the Rev. clergy, proceeded in a solemn proove- ti
sion, reciting the customary prayers for the
dead. to the graveyard, where the eloquent and 1.4
touching words of Father .Jaffries, blessing I
the memory of the dear departed friends and cea
relations, made a deep and, no doubt, a most hai
salutary impression. sor
Ever after, to the end of the mission, the cit
,diily exercises usually commenced at 6 A. U.
with the Mission Mass, during which Father Cr
Jaffries wonid give instruction, on the Sacra- n
mects (f Perance and the Holy Eucharist. aW
They would end at abnt ;.30 r. at with the
rec.tarion of the preeeribed prayers, the chant- tot
:ng cf ilymrs by all of the vast congregation, wi
kreeling; afterwards sermon, then benediction, rai
w t,:, the Blessed Sacrament, and finally the dce
e'ac:.'sl tymn "'Santo Dion, Santo Fuerte.
n.r:. lumorrtal, Libra no de t.d ) mal. ' would iOJ
reeon_.d through the lofty ais!ns, song by a Be'
:,elr.s.d voices. lie
Ether Rev. Father Clos or Father Olivier an
won.d every evening make an eloquent and bri
earnest appeal for immediate repentance and ma
the ret of :hesacraments. It was most edify- fot
:ng and consoling to notice the spirit of devo
t:on and fervor with which the vast multitude i
ihroaned the church to its utmost capacity.
)art~cnlarly each returning morning and op
.i.ght, anxious to comply with the condi- mi
tions necessary for gaisining the plenary indul- ne
gence of the Jubilee, and listening in breath
lea. silence to the stirring exhortations of the br
Rev. Oblates. whose reputation for eloquence St
in Spanish is and has been well known and
appreciated on this border for quite a number an
of years.
On this occasion they truly excelled them- re
selves in a series of timely and most interest- all
fng sermons. I dare say many a heart was wi
thus touched, much ignorance and doubt ex- to
pelled from many a mind, and thus awakened ti
to a vivid sense of danger from fancied secunrity, he
and the great necessity of an immediate and
complete reform. In proof whereof I would
mention that large numbers, among them ro
many who had neglected their dutite for t
many years, thronged the confessionals night at
arnd day, which numbers much increased as the th
trise of the Jubilee drew to an end. ni
lI.e most striking exhibition of the Catholic sc
faith anti devotion, htil cherished within the Ia
bosoms of Laredo's true and faithful children, tL
were undoubtedly two magnificent processions tiI
undertaken on different occasions, from the
parish church, around the Main Plaza and
thetce around the block of what is known as ki
the hburlr's property, back to the church, nu
where the Benediction of the Blessed Sacra- .
ment and an eloquent seremon by one of the tl
itev. Oblates finished that day's devotions.
The first procession took place on Sunday w
evening, November 7th, in honor of and as a 01
reparation for the many insulte received by ri
Christ in the Blessed Encharist; and the seo- I
and on the evening of the following 8anday, "
November 14th, as a sign of filial devotion to p
the Blessed Virgin. as Rev. Father Clou fitly
remarked, having first thus publicly manifest- r
ed o'r faith and piety towards the Son, it was
lint rinet and just to honor the Mother in an h
eq-.aly open and splendid matfter.
Dear Mr. Editor, it would have moved you to
tears of joy, as undoubtediy it did mlany of the t
faitbhful on those two memorable nights, could a
you have see the half dozen Rev. Clergy in their I
srlplices; the many little girls in their beau
tiful white dresses, headed by a goodly number
of the Children of Mary ; the several thousand
of men. women and children, eaeh one carry
ing a lighted taper, marshing in two lines,
with great order and devotion, down the 1
streets, chanting hymns of praise and reiting i
the rosary. Oh! what a consoling scene pre- I
ecrted itself thus before our eyes!l It has been I
calculated that between three and four thou
sand persons assisted each time.
The weather, too, was all that could be de
sired-mild and pleasant, such as we enjoy
down here during the major part of the year,
and nothing whatever occurred to mar the
beauty of this edifying scene. The like had
before never been witnessed in this ancient
townr on the banks of the R'o Grande.
Ar eicr:dent of the m"st gratifying kind, at
least to many of their friends and acquaint
ances, was the reception into the fold of the
Chnrch of our venerable and gentle Dr. M.
Stevens and Mr. Jamen A. Carr, both much
respected and worthy citizens of this town, on
Sunday, Nov. 14th, after Hligh Mas, in the
presence 'of thousands of the I.ithful and many
Protestant friends, Rev. Father HIip. Olivier
off:ciating, a.iisted by the other Rev. Clergy;
this most interesting ceremony concluding
with a joycos Te Denou landamus.
On MoNlriay, the last day of the Mission,
about Ot; boys and girls, and several grown
personrs, who had been prepared by the Rev.
Oblates, received their first Holy Communion.
It ise calculated that in all at least 1 300 per
sons approached the Holy Sacraments during
tL , season of heavenly grace and benediction
for the faithful of Laredo.
Much to our regret, these zealous missionaries,
the Rev. Oblates, on Tuesday, Nov. 16th, after
a rast rafectionate farewell, directed their
steps down the river, where other parishes,
those of Rorms, Rio Grande City and .-owns
vil,, awaitl:ed their valiiable services.
At eve on the Feast ot thi Immnulscate Con
tiot, we :ad rte pl.a*llre oIf waitnessing a pro
cesl, .ery sititllar to thise of the Misslon,
and ~-"y ;.merously atternded. A ecautiful
statru ot the Blesset Vigin Mary, very hand
somlniy aonuited and illuminated with ealored
lamps, was carried ill the usidet, preceded by
hands of :ittle girls dressed in white, and
covered with wreaths and tlowers and long,
beauntiful veils, each iparticipant with a lighted
taper, and three choirs, in different parts of the
procession, chanting the litany of Loretto and
such ytui. as " Viva, viva, iva, La reins del
clelo," nud F Pues concebida, Foiste sin
man chu," etc.
On the evening of Christmas day, we are
promised another procession, more splendid
still.
How do the above facts compare with the
assertions contained in part of an article
which appeared in No. 33, of October 30th, of
our mnoest excoellent contemporary, the New
ork eeiman, oand headed "Rt. Rev. Dr.
Manucy 'n 1 am pretty sure the fatherly heart
of our beloved Bishep har-ejoioed exceedingly
when were made known to bim the glad tidings
of Larede's faithful having responded so
spontaneonsly and with such great fervor to
the voiOe of their true shepherd, oar saintly
Pope, Pio Nono. Godbles them both, now and
forever, J. . a L.
Our premiurm chromo is no cheap ten cent
affair. It is 0t20O Inhobes in sise, is printed in
sizxteen colors and is very appropriate as a par
lor ornament.
·- ---·---I
CATHOLIC C.HRISTMAS.
The evening of the last day of the
church's advent arrives. She gathers her
ministers around her, and, singing hymns
of glad expectation, they remain in her
temples, even until midnight. Let us lie
ten to the grand harmony !
Divided into two vast bodies, they peal
forth the verses of the royal prophet in
alternate chorus;- and who could tire
hearkelong? Well does Durendus say,
that " the two choirs typify the angels and
the splrits of just men, while they cheer- tal
fully and mutually excite each other in ch
this holy exereise." We fancy ourselves ail
among the choirs of heaven, as St. Ignatius th
once was in spirit, when he learned the ha
metbehd of alternate chanting. w
Oh ! whose heart does not yearn toward H
the church in these her days of longing? th
She bee laid away from her all that is das- na
sling and joyous ; yet is shae most charming. o,
Anxious love, like a sun, burns over her, hi
altering her color; yet is she all beauty
bright and rich and warm-her aspect m
teeming with purity and love and inspira- ti,
tion. "sam black, but beautiful." (Cant. pi
1.4.) es
It is midnight. Long since men have N
ceased from their labors. The din of traffic e
has been hushed for hours. Yet there is a bi
sound through all the world. From every gi
city and town and village, from spire- li°
crowned hill and from holy valley, from hI
numberless sweet nooks and by-ways, it r<
swells forth, the sound of a grand harmony, w
the voices of myriadschanting. Now the tt
tones speak of longing; now they tremble B
with expectation; then there is a burst of se
rapture fo lowing the mellow warbling of f,
desire. It is the voiceof the church long as
log for her Beloved ! She shall be grati- t
fled, for even now there is a knocking at h1
her temple-gates. The chant is hushed, tr
and a voice gentle as the lisping of a child, ,,
breathes the sweet entreaty, " Open to me, O
my sister, my love, my dove, my nndefi'ed; E.
for my head is full of dew and my locks of aI
the drops of the night." (Cant. v. 2) Yes, ft
lovely Babe, gladly will the temple-doors T
open to thee; for many a long and weary a
mile did thy mother journey with thee be- fI
neath her heart! at
Winter ruled the earth Chill blew the tl
breezes, and coldness was over nature. it
Shivering had the aged saint and Mary
asked for shelter, but the inns were filled,
and none in Bethlehem, would trouble to a
receive them. Riches were not theirs, and Il
all saw that the unknown mother's time d
was near; hence, fearing they might have v
to look to the child, they shut her from C
their dwellings. The only place of refege v
her holy spouse could find for his charge g
was a cheerless stable, hoellowed from a o
rough cold rock. The ox and the ass were a
their only earthly companions; hay and n
straw formed the rude couch upon which
the mother brought forth her child at mid- f,
night. Jesus! Saviour! she wraps thee
scantily in some swaddling-clothes, and P
lays thee ahivering in a manger. Well I
then may the dew and drops of the night a
hang heavy upon thy locks r
But, though in Bethlehem these on
known travellers were outcasts, God did r
not desert them. The glimmerings of s
adoring angels' wings fell upon the mo- a
ther's eyes to comfort her heart, for there t
were angels n,ear iin numbers. They hov
ered over and within the hut, making it E
ring with the most blessed hymn that t
mortal or angelic ears had ever heard i i
" Glor. to God in the highest, and on earth
t peace to men of good-will."
f Instantly upon this knocking the church
rises to open to her Beloved, and now be
gins her joy. Now she will celebrate his
birthday, and her heart leaps high in bid
ding him welcome. Her torches, her sanc
e tuary lamps, the countless candies on her
I altars, all are lighted with the speed of
r love; their shining shows her spouse that
she was so full of expectation, so confident
'r of his coming. that she has already cast
away her weeds of mourning and desire,
a and has arrayed her charms in her most
e precious robes. Evergreens and tapestry
are twining and glowing all about her-in
e- her niches, upon her piers, her arcades
on her parapets, her cloister-galleries, her mas
s- sive stalls, her carved and fretted ceilings.
ler alters and her sasnc'raries have fee
e- toons and garlands, and crowns of sweetest
y design, and veils and hangings of choicest
e' embroidery. She peals her bells and
, sweeps her lagers over her organ-keys,
at and tunes her many instruments, to fill her
temples with the rapturous canticle of the
at day, "Gloria in excelsis Deo."
A- A
But let us circumscribe our views. As
we may behold the joy of the universal
oh church even in her smallest division, let
on us see how, in the good old Catholic times,
he the simplest villagers celebrate the birth
MY day of the Incarnate Eternal !
yer The few rich men among them have
g sent stores of flowers and fruits from their
conservatories to deck the green branches
in, gathered in the fore-t. Pious ladies have
en brought in the various ornaments, which
iv. they have been preparing for weeks, as an
'n- offering for their new born saviour. The
er- happy pastor and many of his spiritual
g flock -have been busy in the church for
days, disposing the decorations with un
es, tiring ingenuity and taste.
tsr Now it is almost midnight. The skies
eir are clear and studded with twinkling stars.
es, Ice is overall the streams, snow isover all
, the streets and fields, and weighs down
tihe trees. Stillness is upon the village,
- yet not the stillness of slumber. You can
see that something is transpiring wlich
fuj takes not place at other midoights: for
ad- lights are glimmer:ng through the cottage
red windows, and, now and then, cheerful
by forms are seen passing to and fro. They
d are all expecting, and they shall not be
"g delayed; for hark! suddenly a merry
t peal of bells bursts over them ; joyously it
mnd rings forth-now in soft, sweet cadence,
del and now in swelling harmony. It piours
ein along the streets and fills the village
dwellings. It echoes through the cloud
are less vault, over the snowy tields and the
did glassy streams, reaching even the scattered
hamlets in the distance. Suddenly and
i joyously the music bursts upon all:
of ·Adea:e fIdeles, lTtl, triamphibsem
ew Venire, ven te in Bethiehsm."
Dr. And the cottage-doors are thrown open,
art and groups of merry children sally forth,
gladly shbouting, " Christmas, Christmas! i
SThen the tapers are extingnished, and
rto the villagers all hasten forth with holy
thy eagerness to see their Jesus cradled in the
and manger; and, as they direct their steps
* toward the old church, they awaken the
midoight echoes with thataweet old carol:
".ew the cci:Lng year bath p.ren
Ti TesJo~fal asaon. when from Learen
Life denended to tbe earth
In the BLe who took hlebirth
Froora sweet Lady
" ls hm lIs she = e1sa. . to
Owned by thectte *ibie abd.
whs Lew r tha,0.4 I msabas and.
ensrwathed by the tender hands wil
Of ear sweet Lady I
Now ha sail.e.. osJoph bltest bat
Now he msob hi. mad ous brervtt col
Now hsadbr eedsew he elees.
All benah the Iuardia eyes p
Of our week Lady I a
" u.. -as ye ahbphegdat. bts and bring
Your simple ego to oueer kinag B
Ye bsva.eoald wasehaa. bhat and eo
Our God. m.ekmaated on the kme Fp
SOf our wee Lady r!"ow
Thus they stream along from every cot th
tage, along every pathway toward the an
church, men, women, and little children, am
singing and chatting happily. Far off in he
the moonlit distance you see small parties no
hastening over the white plains from their P*
acattered homes to mingle in the festival. t
How beautifully do they remind us of all
those happy aheperds who left their socks all
near the "'Tower of Ader," and went thi
over to Bethlebem, to see the word that th
had come to -pass ! e
The bells continue pealing out their be
music to the midnight, and the church con- mi
tinues filling. Listen to the half-sup- th
pessed ejaculation of joyous surprise as "
each new group enters the holy place and lid
beholds its charming decorations! Over ev
every window's curve, and banging down ti
by its sides, is a mighty wreath of ever- oP
greens. In front of every hallowed niche co
lights are burning, and wreaths of foliage no
hang over it. The pillars are all twined mi
round and round, up to the very ceiling, re,
with ivy, holly, laurel, intermingled with hi
those berries that grow red in 1intrer.
But who sh1ll describe the glories of the WI
Panctury ! Tie arch that rises over it mi
flows with the fullest fold of tapestry, white in
as snow, save whelr, they. are here and is
there interwrought % ith flowers of rose- ti
hued silk and thread of gold, and inter- fo
twined with holly and laurel, and houghs "ii
of the orange tree with its golden clusters. pe
On the altar steps are vases tilled with vi
evergreens, slender strings of ivy twisting th
around tall htrunches and bending grace- th
fully between them down even to the floor.
The altar is crowded with lighted candles. it
and along the intervals of thecandlesticks de
fow festoons of slender branches, leaves bi
and flowers. A stole of flowers decorates V
the very crucifix; the tabernacle sparkles pl
in its richest veil. i
Oh ! in olden times even a village church hi
was grand beyond description ; for then at
men took a pride in their religion. They at
loved to see God's Bride in bridal splen- cl
dor; they loved to seethe Queen in regal vi
I vesture; they loved to see the Sister of the gi
Church in heaven with something like hea- ti
venly glory around her. The rich man re
gaveof his abundance, the poor man gave g9
of his labor, ladies wrought embroidery- ol
all in holy unison strained every nerve to ri
make her temples beautiful. fs
Now the church has filled with kneeling bi
forms. The rich and the poor, the lady i
and the servant, the laborers and they for cd
whom they labor, here kneel side by side. Cl
They are all equal here, for they are all G
alike, are God's own children, the breth- Ia
ren of the Babe of Bethlehem.
The steeple-bells have ceased to peal, for
i not a single thought must now wander out- o
f side. Eyes and ears and heart and soul e
and every feeling are intent upon the
grand occurrences within.
Presently blue clouds of sweet incense
are seen floatizri towerd 4bte sanctuary,
t and modestly there comes a youth swing
ing a silver censor; a long procession of
little acolytes, clad in snow-white sur
plices and bearing lighted tapers, follow
h him slowly; a saintly looking priest, in
precious vestments, closes the whole array. i
a His youthful attendants are chosen boys
- of blameless life and pleasing aspect; and i
indeed, they look pure and innocent and
-r cherub-like, as they dispose themselves
of around the holy place, and kneel toward
It the altar.
it Then amid half suppiessed, repentant
at cries for "' mercy on us," swelling forth
s, from the choir, the psalm is sa'd-the
at psalm of preparation, of praise, of hope,
'Y of humble confidence: the confession is
in made; prayers for pardon, light, and gra- 1
ss cious hearing are repeated. Then the
s- priest ascends " unto the altar of God,"
s. and whispers prayers, speaking raptur
onsly of the " Child that is born to us, the
at Son that is given to us." But look at his
at countenance as he returns slowly to the
id middle of the altar ; you can see that he is
a, full of some grand event-his soul, his
or heart, his feelings, all hold jubilee. One
he more entreaty for mercy repeated again
and again with passionate earnestness, and
As he raises his eyes and his arms as though
sal about to ascend in ecstasy. and, like one
let inspired, li he breaks forth in the angelic
s, hymn, " Gloria in excelsis Den." It is the
h- signal of jubilee. Suddenly there is a
burst of many little bells, shaken by the
hands of the snrpliced children, ringing
eir out their silver music until the hymn is
ir ended by the priest; the organ's richest
we and fullest chords are struck, swelling
ve forth in harmony like that which the rivers
ch made in Paradise when they sang their
Sfirst hymn of praise to him who set them
al flowing, and the full choir of trained
voices burst forth: " Et in terra pax
for hominibus."
in- Truly you think yourself at Bethlehem.
It seems as though the Child were just
r. born-as though yoh heard the heavenly
hr Iosts singing their gr'nd anthem-saw the
alshepherds wondering and adoring-be
wn held thelInfant lying in the manger, a fair,
' radsant, miling little Babe, with an old
Ssaint beside it, learning on his staff, and a
hr comely virgin, in a trance of motherly af
fection kissing its bright forehead. So
ge these villagers seem to feel it all. A start
Sof joy runsthrough the whole assembly, a
tr radiance lights up every feature; friends
e kiss each other, fathers kiss their children,
ry mothers kiss their little ones; a whisper
F runs from soul to soul through all the
ce, church-" Pax hominibus."
S Then follow the collect, the epistle, the
d- gradual, the gospel, all full of the grand
he event. And then the choir's jobilee he
ed gins again, as the anointed one at the
ad altar intones "Credo in unum Denm."
Who shall tell the stirless reverence of
each prostrate form, as all bow yet lower
st the words that still the mystery of the
night! Softly the organ warbles in its
en, mellowest keys; from the richest voice in
th, all the choir sweetly flow the words" Et
as! Homo factus est." Every mind reflects,
nd and every heart is melted.
oly Then comes the offertory; and all pre
the sent, according to their various means,
lps make their offerings for those "who serve
the the altar," and for the poor. While the
ol: priest raises in olfering the paten with the
host and the chalice with wine, the vil
lagers also, kneeling, make an offering of
their own homage to their new-born Re
deemer : and mothers lift their little ones
.---I~C
to heaven in spirit, praying that they may
advance " in wisdom and age and grace
with God and men," as did the Child of
Mary. Then follows the washing of the
bands, with its appropriate prayers; then an
come the secrets., the preface, the whis- A
pared prayers for God's church, for friends
and benefactors, for all the living faithful. As
The moment of consecration draws nigh. A
Books are laid aside, hands are clasped A
upon the breast, every head is bent. The
sweet voices in the choir have been hushed; of
the organ's silvery tones, murmuring more
and more softly, have at length died away, be
awe-stricken by the silence that fills God's lit
house. Yes ! silence Ills it. for silence wi
now seems a something-a breathless, lit
pulseless, but mighty spirit filling all this Gi
temple, as the cloud of God's glory once P1
filled the tabernacle. You think you could
almost hear a spirit move, you feel as
though yeou were among the angels when TI
they waited breathlessly to behold the el
feotof the sublime utterance, "Let there T
be light." Bending low in reverend hu- th
mility, the priest in a whisperof awe speaks or
the almighty words " This is my body," Ti
"This is the chalice of my blood :" the ki
light breathing of that whisper is heard
even in the bosom of the Eternal Father, 2G
the golden gates of ParaHdse are thrown t
open, and God "'bows the heavens and 1)J
comes down." Ha is here, this church Is Li
now the hot of Bethlehem, this attar is the C
I manger; for the Child is born upon itas .,.
really as the Virgin mother there brought ci
him forth. tb
As when of old light was made, there Is
was a music of the spheres, of the sun and hi
t moon and all the stars and pllanets, sing- to
ing their morning hymn of gra.itude, so
l is the stillness now also broken, so does
the choir, warbling in swelling glee, burst tt
forth in grand climax", llosannain excel- c
s His." And in the mean time priest and as
peop'e united, utter to their new-born Sa- t
viour omeny rich and beautiful prayers for H
the living, for the faithful departed, for l
themselves. ci
The villagers are absorbed in prayer; ;r
it seems as though their fervor kept re
a doubling, as though the flames of holy love f,
buhorned higher and higher every instant. re
a Well they may, for the moment is ap- a
a preaching in which each heart will be a o;
manger in which Jesus will be laid, each a
breast a tabernacle in which love itself u
shall dwell. Already there is a movee
- among them; with modest gtit, with c
clasped hands and downcast eyes, they ad- o
3 vance to the sanctuary, the mystic bread is I
a given to them line after line, and, bearing o
their God with them, they all return in L
o reverence to give thanks, to petition for n
e good things. Serenity is in th.-r eyes and e
- on their features, joy is in their hearts, ,
o rapture in their souls, peace among their i
feelings, and Jesus within their bosoms l
g harmonizing all. 0 truly happy Cori-t- a
y mae! 0 the bliss that now is theirs, the "
,r comfort of this moment! Well may the -
). chanters hymn: "0 Jesus. God ! Great t
11 God ! Good Pastor! Sweet Lamb! 0 Jesus, °
- may Jesus! 0 Bread! 0 Manna! 0 Power !
what dost thou not grant to man !"
ir Then praises and thanks are sung joy
t- onsly by the priest, and his hand is stretch
Il ed in bles-ing from the altar. The Maess is
ie over, and the procession moves from the j
sanctuary, while the choir chants aloud,
"Praise the Lord all ye nations, praise him I
all ye people. Because his mercy. is con
f' irmed upon us, and the truth of -tte L)rd I
o remaineth for ever." (Pa. cxvi.)
of The chant dies away, and for a while not
a sound is heard through all the sacred
i building. No one stirs as yet ; all remain
some time to return thanks, to allow the
impression of the festival to sink deep into V
y their souls. At length they rise, and bow
d ing lowly toward the altar, they go formt.
At the church door hands are sa:aken,
kisses given, warm embraces a:e exchanged, ,
and joy and happiness and a'l the bless
lt ings of the Ciiild's nativity are wished and
th wished again.
he But follow them home from their mid
te, night celebration. For a long time the
is village slumbers not; lights glimmer
-a. through the cottage windows, and within
le groups are kneeling around a little home
I," made oratory, with a little crib in the mid
ir- die, aLd candles around it. This is of
he greater importance than the gathering
his around the yule-fire or the decked tree
he Moreover, all did not go home when Mass
is was over. Go back to the i:hurch, and be
is hold those silent figures praying in every
Ine posture that feeling can suggest. Tiere,
ino before that tabernacle, a mother prays the
nd divine Child for her own babe : a virgin
gli prays for purity like to that of the Virgin
ne mother : the child of misery seeks conso
lic lation from him who was born in a stable ;
the many repeat over and over again the can
a ticle of the angels, and all beg the bless
the ings of him over whom the. angels sang it.
lng At length these also are gone; the lights
is are quenched about the altar, all, save the
eat silver lamp which is neverextinguished; all
erg is still as was the stable when the shepherds
ere had adored and gone back to their flocks.
Heir But the festival of our Saviout's birth
em is not over yet. "As the day comes round
red in music and in light," you again see the
pax villagers wending their way to the church;
and a third time, when the su-i is in the
mm. mid-arch of heaven. Each time is witness
nat ed the same sublime celebration that we
Dly beheld at midoight; for three births oh
the Christ are celebrated. His birth from the
he- Father before time began ; his birth from
iir, the immaculate Virgin as a wailing babe
old at Bethlehem ; his mystic birth, by faith
da and by the sacrament of love, in the heart
af of each humble adorer.
So Such was Christmas in the happy olden
tart times. Alas! that a blight should ever
, a have come upon it. Truly they have not
Ods done well to despoil that village church of
ren, all its charming features. Well may the
per church exclaim, weeping: "The keepers
the that go about the city found me ; they
struck me, and wounded me : the keepers
the of the walls took my veil from me."
and (Cant. v.7.) Fondly do we trust she will
be- soon again be clothed in splendor. The
the pope that reigned when England fell away
m." grieved sadly for her fall. In his distress
of he put away the triple crown ; and even
-er now his statoe sits uncrowned, with down
the casteyes, as though his grief had hardened
its him tostone. But soon, we trust, be will
e in again lift up his eyes. Soon, we trust,
SEt will his successors rejoice to find the crown
cts, replaced, not by mortal, but by angel
bands. Shall we not hope and pray that
pre- our own dear land, also, will form not the
ns, least brilliant jewel in that crown 9 One
irve day this church will again deck herself
the with the flowers she once wore, but which
the rebellious hands tore to pieces, scattering
vil- the leaves around her. Then shall we
Sof once again celebrate them with the in
e- creased joy which is born of the wanderer's
nes return. God grant it speedily !
L FORt IMAlN U
ITALY.-Dispatobes from Naples report great
and increasing agitation of Mount Veesuvius. I
An extensive eruption is expected. tbe
Faarcca.-The election of senators by the *Y
Assembly progresses with general results most lo
favorable to the Conservative Republicans. m
Among the distinguishbed persons elected are teo
Mgr. Dapanloup, Bishop of Orleans, Gen. Cis- so
sey. Minister of War, and Mr. Wallen, Minister an
of Public Instruction. - a
Bres.-The Alfonsist General Moriones will to
begin his campaign by a movement for the re- ,a
lief of San Sebastian and Hernanls, after so)
which he is expected to advance on the Car
lists' position at Tolosa. Valmiaseda, Captain
General of Cuba has resigned, and Jovellar, thi
present Minister of War, has been appointed to tat
succeed him.
Tns DYsAnMITI ExPixoot.--The plot of ate
Thomasson to blow up the steamer Mosel in is
mid ocean is now a well ascertained fact. xi
Thomasson has died of the wounds he inflict an
ed on himself. The number of those killed on i
the quay at Bremenbaven is 122. The wounded
number 56 of whom 20 are hopelessly maimed.
There are 56 widows and 135 orphans of those is
killed on the occasion. 15
BREAD RIoT Is MoTREzAL.-Oa the 17th y
2t00 laborers assembled and marched through f
the streets finally surrounding the CitxjHall. M
Despite a large body of police they attacked a to
bread wagon and a beer wagon and used the an
contents. Toe mayor addressed the crowd 0o
but was continually interrupted with criesof an
"We are suffering and want food." The conn- B,
cil promises work at an early day as also does L
the Federal Government, meanwhile several
laborers who took part in the domonstration
have been sentenced to the penitentiary and i
the police prevent the assembling of crowds. PO
UNITED STATES.
WAsHINGTON.-There is reason to believe
that SBcrerary Fish will soon retire from the
C.sbint. There is a wide breach between him
and the President on the Cuban question, and
the departure in views is daily growing wider. I0
His retirement is, therefore, inevitable. The do
President, beyond doubt, has detetmined to Pr
interfere in Cubain affairs without regard to
coot. It is probable that by the time Congress Ye
reconvenes the Presideint's purposes will be ripe Ie
for publicity.- Every day increases the con- i
tidence of the friends of the Texas Pacific Rail- e
road that the measure will be successful. The ha
appointment of Mr. Lamar to theobairmanship an
of the committee is regarded as most fortunate,
as it is understood that he will push to the
uttermost every advantage to secure Govern
ment aid.- The full House Committe on Mis- d
sissippi Levees is as follows: Ellis of Louisiana, s4
chairman; Hatcher of Missouri, H. B. Morey 0.
of Missisoipui, Roberts of Maryland. Yonng of ,
Tennessee, Sheakley of Pennsylvania, Donnell i
of Minnesota, Whiting of illinois, Morey of la
Louisiana, and Wallaceof Pennsylvania The ii
majority of the Committee are in favor of Guov- I
ernment aid to the levees. .i
Congrrs.-Both Houses adjourned on the
20:h till Janunary 7th, and most of the members hi
iummediately started for home. Nothing of im
portance transpired in the House excepting the Is
announcement of the standncg committees,
which, in tle main, have given satisfaction. Si
- The Senate adopted the foliowing resoln- .
tion : That Sir. Thomas W. Ferry, of the State a
of Michigan, be the President of the Senate a:
until January 7th, 1-76, and until a fresh ap- t
pointmentelisall be made On motion loinsrt n
Mr. Thurman in place of Mr. Ferry, the vote
was 21 to ,l. Mr M."r:on's resolution to in
vestigate the Miasiseippi election went over.
BUFFALO, N. V., Dec. 19-The pilgrimsof St. i
Joseph's Cathedral, numbering over 10,000,
paraded to-day, beaded by Righnt Rev. Bishop
Ryau and Rev. Father Cron~n. editor of the
Catholic Union This was the last day of the
pilgrimage. Tie weather is the coldest of the 41
season, the thermometer ranging at 1v- below
zero. .
T:TExas-Gslrestos . Ib.c ' -Very heavy I
rains prevailed t urouglout bouthern and West
ern Texas during toe past two days. The
rivers and bayous are higher than for years. a
No trains lets for the North to-day, on acconnt
of tae unsafe condition of the trestles. The P
r,oads north of Houston are reported broken
and blocked S'eamers could not leave Houston
to day on a'.count of the fl ,od in the bayou.
it is feared much damage is done to different
roads and bridges
SOUTH CAROLINA -The Radical majority in
the Legislature on the 17th in an election for
an associate judge of the Supreme Court and
e eight circuit judges chose the following par
r ties; Associate Justice, Wright (a negro,)
a CircuitJudges-First Circuit, Whipper (tolor
ed); second, Wiggin ; third, F J. hoses, ex
Governor ; fourth, Townsend, Fifth, Mackey ;
,f sixth, Carpenter; seventh, Northrop; eigth.
Cook; all Republicans. The election exclted
g the most intense disguset and indignation on
the part of all good citizens, as the offices are of
5 the greatest importance while the men elected
are of thelowestoharaster. Guyo. Chamberlain
y has refused to issue commissions to Whipple
a, and Moses on constitutional gronnde, he hold
. ing that upon the next assembly and not on
n this one devolves the responsibility of making
the cboice. In an interview the Governor
said : "I look upon their election as a horrible
disaster, adisaster equally great to the State,
to the Republican party, and, greatest of all,
to those communities which shall be doomed
to fell the full effects of the presence of Moses
t. and Whipper upon the bench."
is The Presidents of all the National and State
e banks in Charleston, together with the plinci
,i pal mercantile firms, joined in sending the fol
t lowing dispatch to Gov. Chamberlain to
night : "Irrespective of parties, desiring peace
and protection for persons and property, and
th believing that a blow has been struck in the
id late judicial election threatening rain to the
,! people of the State, we tender to you, for this
b. community and the State, our thanks for your
action in refusing to sign the commissions. We
e thank you, and will do all we can to sustain
- ) ou in what you have done."
Sre MiCELLNEOUS.
An earthquake shock lasting ten seconds and
followed by briefer shocks was felt in Rich
n mond, Va., on the night of the i3d.--Chas.
e O'Conor is rapidly improving, and is now out
t of danger.- In South Boston a large gas
rt main exploded on the 2'2nd, tearing up the
pavement 150 feet and killing six persons.-
n Reports of intense cold come from all parts of
New England, the mercury ranging from 10 to
t 40 degrees below zero.
of TIIE IIUMAN IAIR -How many persons
be buse this delicate and beautiful ornament, by born
ra ig it with alkhol;rc tahi~s and ,lasterlng it with
0 greuase, whichb bhas no afinity for the skin, and is not
r absorbed. Burnet' Cecoaine, a compound of Cooea.nuot
SOil ttc., is unrivalled as a dressing for the hair, is
ill readily absorbed, and is peculiarly adapted to its
e various conditions, preventing is falling off and pro
m noting its healthy growth.
,ssI --- ~ --
n To save money: read Levy Bros.' column
n- ndrertisement on asother plage of to-bdaye S'ri.
ADVERTIMING RATES OF THE "STAR."
S .One Two iThree' Six One
'uA M'th. M'th d'th M'ths Year.
One ................ 5 ; 9 $12 20O S3",
Two ............... 9 I9f 2) 32 50
Three............. .2 22 2 44 7.
ront ................ j 15 27 3  ' Y
iv .................. 18 7R 42 69 III
n ..................I 3, 5, 75 13 Io
Ifteea. .... ..... 40W 75 1Ž0 Io Ic0 29U
Thirt' ................. 70 13 1: 10. 3,)? 4')
Iraastmet Advertlsements, $1 SO per square each ta
eertion.
utse ieerted at special rates.
Wants and Personal Information Advertlsements.
1) cents r a.ne esea :nreon.
31ter`aI a nnee. 40 cent. a lie.
FINAiCZAL -W @OOEmlato
Thereadsr Ea.
Under farther receipts at ad -ny aa",
the oferlnge for disceat, the mseesy 1
easier sab to. rates of somaenrelsia
lower Owing to the dedlneis lselta1
market has fallen ft materially he
foreign e"change. Noew York sight
supply and a little stronger. All tochks
on which there Io a probability of the
dividend being paid. Owlag to Judge Wee
in the Masmhaut saut against the ity, all
have Improved, and particularly Old x er
solidated the Improvement in the other leas~
buted to the opinion that the decilea on apPl."j
the other issue eo far ae it regards the
interest. New Stat ConsOols are dall sad lower
Cotton is in actiro demand, with goodeiaplq
steady and other descriptions Irregnlr. The
is jo lower than last week for all gradees
Middling. The decline l attributed to liberal
and the falling of in foreign exehange. T
visible supply of cotton on Friday night hli
2.555,317 bales, against 9,640,e49 last year
73,711. The stoot of Cotton held by lnUgi
is now estimated at 871000 bales, agal0st Ils 
year and 201.000 the year before. The c
from India are rather lessfavorable. Thert
seems to prevail that owing to the serious dt
so the cotton crop in China, that countryl tab
unusually large proportion of the crop oefElskt
Our crop is now estimated in England by the
autborities at four and a quarter millionof aes
Brazilian crop is reported small but of fair
Late telegrams from Alexandria, Egypt, report pt4
higher and receipts from the interior falling of.
bacce continiue quiet and unchanged here; t in
points, where the stock, of old msa very much red
new is selling readily at good prices, whil asi the
board the old crop is s in demand at i leaoh <
port. Good gra.es of Sugar and Meolmasarel
uao.d at firm prices, while the lower grade arel
of sale. Flour continnus quiet and easy, snisalsl
Iocal request and small export demand, while Cla
dull and materially lower. There is but littled
Provisions, and the stocks are light.
t lANCIAL - Quotations-Ftoeptlonal pperpo ..
per cent per annum; Al do. 10 to If; eoadgrsayll
Is; first class  otrgage do. itper cent pr asay,
nd grade do. -to-; Gold I13 to 113j; Americssbu
half.dollars 10 to 1191; Mexiocan do. oollars--ts
Commercial Sterling 54il to 544. hank do - te sus
bankohckenmg ataun tew YTurk i pir eont 2- "
and commecla sright 7.1;6.
COMMERCIAL.
Corro--Att ve; market te lower than last Jiiq
morning for Good Ordinary to Middling italusire. a
days' receipt 44 1 t beal.s. Exports 25,441; end tls
r40,35 Stock lj7 371. Quotations-Low Ordinay
Ordinary 101; Good Ordinary 11i Low Niddllg i
Middling lt; Good ttdling 1;ll; Middlinlg Fai.
The Ichang ee telegrams ist the recelpt u Nwbl
leans since September et., 55 367 ba·e*, agist
last year--ncrease 77 it.l ba. Ieeulpts at all p
2.014.718 bales, against 1.,FI.671 last year-tam..
i0o3.047. Stocks stall ports. 74.r 9 halm. aganlost*I
laet year-decrease 44,017 Exports from SinsL G-i
I.t03.346 bales, against 4. ,37--ineores 1t4,95g1.
Last TOBccO-Quoet ; uncbmhanged. Stackoenmn
hbds. Quotstlu-ioos-Vtted and Factory Lgs nemi
Low Lugs to 71; Good do s to , Low l.ef Siatld
Medium Leaf 13 to 14I; Good Lea: li to 17; Fi li
I to 90; Selections - to -.
Ml.nsJvacrL'tk. Tonarco.--QIet and unella
Supp:y good. Extra Fine 7. to tic; bite Gtit ;
Fine todiul 0i to 63; Good Medium 55 to5~
Common bound 47 to 51; Bright quarter tms
mon Medium 47 to SLe ; Bright aevy 4sand s N ir
Black swort 4s to t6.; No. I, 5s aLd ,o Black ieutpl
toN c; eNavy Ibs 51 to 53; Neay 3d. 53 to0y1 lf
lties Nattral Loaf Twist Package 60 to 31%.
LoY.iix. A beta. - Demand tair st _aiti
prica. Common tie per lb; Fair Plc Fully Fair 7t
Prime ic ; Fellow Clarified tei; Whit 9o.
Lot'IaiAXA MoL.neaR--I-n lair demand at sutal
prices. Comon3 30 to 35 per g.'; Fair 4Oteaid; -1il
44 to 60; Stricty Prime 47ito 41; Chboice 5 ta:. .s
ltrxIr.D it'.;can--jruahed. Powdered a Gs
lated -- to Ilc per lb; Best Loal -- to li
iOLDoa3 Iurr.-At wh-leeale. 7I0 to 7..o let gas
Rica -In lair supply and moderate demrad. Pe-s
weaker. Lonuiian,. No. 2. 21 to 3o per IsD;, C  ..
4i to 4lc: Fair 'l to 5*4; Good ol.hosl; Prim--toi
SLc-xe-Soupply lair; demand moderate- SPrieto
nperolltne 24t,," per bbl; Dooble Extra $41-5
Treble ixta 14 ;. to--; Good Treble ietris PNm-s
iChoice Treble Extra 5 30 to 5 15; ad 16 SO to u 'k
Choice Family Extra.
Co]eacAL--Qolet and unchanged Jobbing sa -
St o per bbl. Wholealing at S- to B160.
Coua Is SACan -Supply fair; demand otd l
prices lower; Mixed 5te per bushel; Choirc Tell -
and White 6c.
OIAS-enUp.iy food; demand moderate; price
Ordinary 4: to--c; Prime 44 to 40 ; ChbOs .ito
and Texas - to -c. per bushel.
Biaes-L ower: Choice - to se0 per 1ip The
tiar-'riree lower; supply lar e; autaud med.
erate; irduinar 6- to 18 per ton; rrimei.94l--·
and Choice s- to 24.
Poit--Qulet and weak. Mss 121 5J to 2 per bhL.
Bxcot--Stronger snoelder --c per 1s, Cle" Bit.
Sides l3e. and Clear Sidea 13.
DxY LTaL.n Mtir--Demad modrate.' prlres .t.a
or. Shoulders jubbreg at 9; Clear Rib aides It e CIOC
Sides 11i..
iiL'Ao-CcanD HMa-a-Supply light; toreM St5e ,
d-mand lfair; Ordinary 151 to-; Fair ijt t0--; Cu :
17C to-.
La au-In do and and firm. Tlerce Bs4a0d 6eb101 r
at i3c perlb; Keg - o 14c.
Ltkxran T Brcoit-Duhl st 15 to lpe perlb
BaBuns--Fuiton Market - tol te5 p he bbl ; Teas
& o- Western a ie tri7 (0.
Bt.--,a-Cbobe New Yok GOshen Shte 310f.
Medium -.8 to 32c; Inferior 22 to2; CIc -e"e
i 2to 2e; Medium 2 to I0; Inferior I5 so lee.patlb.
SCnuxs--Choiet Western i3; ew YoL Crea -s
Fieu-Mishkerl. extra No. 1. bbl. 41-.t 0a;}bbmt
bbtl. -; Kits i N. ;1 b. l bblF. 1 ,8 5;' tdo. 
do. 25: Kits. 1 7 ' So. 2, bbils., 16 14e*- o.8t;5
r $4 10 Kt ts. 74; loo. 3 Large bb e. 140e:; s..$ I; "
do..0401; lits. 150. Codfish Dras.,6S; b101.P
Heiriotugs, 5c per box.0
Oto-Linsee Oil--'70 to t5c per gallon. -L.ad a
0d--16 to Iso in bbll., .23 toS 5in e.ses. -t siL I
i to ll 15 per gallon. Castor Oil !3 to 14/1 per li. C
Se.-d Oil - to -o.
SALTr--Dealers' rate,: Cooras, 4es of V o0 beuh.
i - to 6i 25. Turk's Island. '10 pen two uphal
e I'ocket's Table Salt. 2 to 6 according t rsee .
Soar--Western, Si perth New Ocrlea x t ra, ,
ro; German Ollive te; Magolia. }; xxx Palam
Ca.tile, Iso, with a reduction on round los ..15
STA CAODLt-DLU and unchanged at 161 tOlil
SIbTgr PowxDtns-tL5 to 25 for quarter boxesi San
for medium per gross. t
BREAD AND CaacKcr-GInger Nutas, e per Is,; I
e Bread. s; Navy re,,. 4c,; Lemon Snaps. ;i .;"
s BliscuIts. n ; French Biscuits. tc; Soda t ,rse-er, e'
r Butter do, Ic; Boston do. Ie; Wine deo. ue; Bugs
cen; Pic Nio do. to; Water do. 50.
Covnka --Job lots; Ordinary a0 to iC ,rrWny.F
0 32 to 2lc; Good 2ilto o3; Prtmeltol 4 - lb, G
Ta--Jnb lcts-lmperall 350 to slt to per?
powder 450 to Si 3u; Hyson 300 to lit 10; leantl
40c to 11 15; 0olong 350 to 9O1. r,
d v..t... u.to -'r.,_t.-Lenon.. $4a04 per box;sad
RtieLna 510 to 3t0; Bananu St to 3 01uP '-i
t ChtronbSOm perlb: Curranti -to 7*c; Br5O" lt't
.. I~n- lmonds Et to k-Filberts. 121 to 0; 
S7c; ; Coooarnuts.$Si to 45 per 110 10 b.
nuts 4 to in per Le: Louisiana Orangee dt5 PŽpr 's.u
Pou'LtnY--ChlCkens 5,O ' to 0 Ov per o '1-1
00 8710004 Nil; Ducks S'tO 4 to 4 Ic; Gseese )B O t
- 'I'nrkeySaI 12 tto 14 'O.
d hoi.e---' tel U o. to 27c0 per dozen; LouI~tf -
:O 3tc. s g Alt; Gmei.t VEOxTrALItt-'APPle_ t
7 0'"; We~tein Prottor i-- to iI 5ii; Sour £ri
l to per bbl; Cabbages 5 500 to037 o per 1.01
Bxa sr a ., PrA -Wes- teto Beans pit °hI l .t;
SNortllhern;, to4c per Ib; Green esJ to--e0r'
th Cow Peas - to --c per bushel. , te
D1ro DPFU r- App- m|les to go" Pschea.--  i
t Hoosv--'j It tJrs 55$Jt per doeno; tlbtO IVO •
s OM-no-Black 4t04*4 por lb; OrayS tciO; Or
sWobLouliau CBer, ot to 3ic per slb
ro. SItoin. Bnrry. l4tell. Tcxuasgo . i
Blocs-Dry Sted. - to lt; Co(nrry n.
D, Flint. 3 to l)e. Taloo, w o. 9pet"
LorrO+ e ....- - to ,$12per ton. ap .i +
Sugar hhda., 53 25. BiHds.ole. pi - , tper
aoocl.(Don.me·tle Jute amn Hemp.I04 l05.t
,t yard. India, tltoo 1. Gunny Bags--I' tol
sewed: Baling Twine 14 lb.
r.VI oaL SyO S5-Ta? 6--00 P50 PLtoPitchP i
Boein 63.5 to 3 i; Tsrptlus5m to tO pet P
Liva Syocg-Tes Beves.le qoaLty -I%9 '..
doStitistl':td -to $1. Welstern noo
Texms ogs--f tol ; Western do",,u 9. % -
1st quality, 65 to $4; sod do., 33 4; 3d. do.,
Mloch Cowe--aehole. 70 910 Sl; ordinuyd; ....
Cslvien.,1 to 15. FeelIngs,5 to Sin.
In pRESENT FOR NEW lr.is -.-GiVe your
a receipt for a year's sebscription to the ST L
and otlobf oi beautiful oh romos of th
Father. All for $3.