THE CATHOLIC COUNCIL

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, December 2, 1884

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 61, No. 48

THE CATHOLIC COUNCIL.

A correspondent has sent us a copy of the Baltimore Sun of Nov. 10, containing an account of the opening in that city of the Plenary Council, the largest Catholic council ever held in the western hemisphere. We lay before our readers the following extracts from the report, as they show how accurately, in its pomp and show and gorgeous vestments, the Catholic hierarchy answers the prophetic description of the harlot woman “arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls.” Of the street procession the writer says:—

“At 10 A. M. the clergy marched in procession from St. Alphonsus’ church to the archiepiscopal residence, where they were joined by the prelates comprising the council. The procession then moved on again; first the seminarians and clergy, then the prelates, and in the rear Archbishop Gibbons, the apostolic delegate between his deacons of honor, and followed by his insignia bearers. The bright sunlight lighted up every detail of the scene and flushed every color to its most intense hue. The simple white surplices and plain black berettas of the seminarians and clergy vividly contrasted with the scarlet, ruby, white, and gold of the rich vestments and mitres of the prelates.”

Of the ceremonies inside the Cathedral, he says:—

“The interior of the Cathedral, while its adornments are rich in character and full in detail, is subdued in color. It is frescoed in imitation of marble, and the strongest tint employed is that of pink-veined stone. This neutral frame to the scene made it the more dazzling. The sanctuary glowed with color like a sunset. In the center stood the altar, its golden candlesticks, many lights and profusion of flowers conspicuously displayed against its pure white marble frame and lace hangings. Massed to the right and left of the altar were the prelates, wearing their high, richly-adorned mitres, and attired in vestments of sanguine hues; glistening with bullion and cloth of gold, and overlaid with a profusion of rich embroidery. As the ceremonies proceeded, this dazzling mass of color rose and fell, was shifted and expanded, was re-arranged and diversified, as the prelates rose or knelt or changed their positions as the services progressed. As the celebrant and his assistants went through the mass, now light-bearers, now censer-bearers, now book-bearers, would group about the celebrant or about the Archbishop, presenting a succession of striking and impressive scenes. The incense filled the church with fragrant odor. Now the strong old Gregorian chants rolled forth from a male choir in a recess of the sanctuary; now again grand harmonies, filled with the sweet notes of female voices, swelled from the choir loft. There were sharp contrasts of sound. Now would be heard the cadence of the celebrant, and now a soaring burst of harmony from the choir, the notes of the voices immersed in the deep, thrilling tones of the organ. The general effect of all was dignified, solemn, and inspiring.”