People's Pilot, Volume 4, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 February 1895 — Blessing of St. Blase. [ARTICLE]

Blessing of St. Blase.

Next Sunday services will be conduccted at eight and ten o' clock a. m., in St. Augustine’s church. At the late service the blessing of St. Blase will be imparted to those wishing it. The following interesting sketch is kindly contributed by a correspondent: St. Blase was born at Sebaste, in Armenia, of which place he was subsequently appointed bishop, on the solicitation of the people. At the time of the per secution against the Christians under Sicinius, he betook himself to Mt. Argaens, and there hid himshlf in a cavern. One day Agricolaus, who had been

sent to Se sfe to search, for Christians, ordered a hunt to be held by his soldiers on the mountains. A deer running to the cave where the holy bishop was secreted, caused him to be discovered as he was kneeling in prayer before a crucifix. He was immediately brought by the officers to Sebaste. Agricolaus first by flattery, then by torture, endeavoring to dissuade him from his adherence to Christ. But neither promises nor the painful scourg.ngs which he endured, nor the torture of the sharp iron instruments with which his flesh was lacerated, could shake his faith and love. Finally, having been three timesbrought before the court and each time shown the same con stancy he was taken outside the city and beheaded, in the yeai 316. This saint wrought inanj miracles, and is yet invoked ii dangerous diseases of the rhroa because he had saved the life o a lich widows son. who hat nearly died in consequence o swallowing a fish bone. Tlx church accordingly sanctioned i special blessing of throats 01 this day. Holding the blessei candles near the throat, in th< form of a cross, the priest says through the merits and interces sion of St. Blase, bishop am martyr, God deliver thee fron all diseases of the throat am preserve thee in the name of th< Father and of the Son and o the Holy Ghost, Amen. If w< take part in this pious custon of the church, we should abov all consider that while we unit* our supplication with thepraye of the church, that we may bi preserved from bodily illness we ought to guard our soul against sin particularly sins o the tongue and of the palate, be ing more dangerous ills thai any that can afflict our bodies

A. B. Lewis of Lee, postmast er, merchant and farmer, wa; in the city Monday. The ladies of the M. E. Church will give a New England suppei and baby show’, at the open house, Feb. 22nd. Every one is requested to come and the babies have special invitation. Frank E. Rupert of Pekin 111., has purchased the Warrei Robinson farm, three miles north east of town, containing 82( acres, at S4O per acre, Chas Dean of Washington, 111., effect ed the sale.

Dr. J. W. Horton has lately finished a course at the Haskel post graduate school of pros the tic den test ry at Chicago. He is prepared to make meta plates, bridges, and crowns ol any kind, at reduced prices. Wm. Downs of Battle Grounc was in this city Tuesday. Hf is one of the successful catth feeders of this state. The home of Jacob Keenei nine miles north of town ii Union township, was destroyed by fire Monday evening. Mr. and Mrs. T. F. Clark were in Frankfort the first of th< week. Herman Diener and Mist Tillie Hildebrand, after spend ing a few weeks with then friends in Rensselaer, have returned to their home in Chicago. Miss Lucy Donnelly who has been sick for the past tw r o weeks with intermittent fever is rapidly improving. Laßue Bros, are moving their furniture stock into the John Eger grocery room. An eight pound son has been in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. E. Murray since las: Saturday, Jan. 20th. All doing nicely. Rvival meetings have been held at the Free Will Baptist church all this week and the date of termination has not yet been announced. Jesse Roberts, son of Prestoi Reberts who lives near Mt. Ayr. received the foundation of his education in Rensselaer, then graduated at Ann Arbor law school. He is now located in Chicago and recently won an important case for B. F. Fendig At the Christian church tut subject Mohammedanism v*. Christianity will be considered, next Sunday, both morning ana evening.