People's Pilot, Volume 4, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 June 1895 — Catholic Notes. [ARTICLE]

Catholic Notes.

The feast of Corpus Christi was celebrated with unusual splendor last Sunday at St. Augustine's. The alters were darped and decorated as never before and a large inscription bearing the initial words of the Corpus Christi processional hymn “Lauda Sion Salvation’’ was suspended in the sanctuary. During early mass a very large number of the young ladies’ society approached the sacraments. After service they had their regular meeting and after the usual routine of business enrolled three new members. The Stainislas Literary Society gave their regular semimonthly program Sunday evening at the Forester’s Hall. The hall was packed to overflowing. The musical and litertary program was certainaly far above the ordinary, each number being charmingly rendered and highly appreciated by the large, refined and cultured audience, noticable among them were Mrs. E. P. Hammond and her daughter Miss Nina, who also favored the audience with a declamation entitled “St. Christopher,” The Healy orchestra played several selections with usual artistic ability. Miss Mary Meyer gave much pleasure by her singing and Miss Cinda Maclainburg read an interesting paper in regard to society work, she spoke in the highest terms of the good being accomplished by the S. L. S. The “prophecy” by Francis Meyer was frequently cheered. Brenard never fails to obtain a large portion of the comical. The “Gazette”edited by William Beck and Miss Annie Walter was read by the former and elicited rounds of applause. The declamation by Miss Maggie Healy showed careful preparation, she held the audience spellbound throughout. The Society will give their next program on the first Sunday in July. The Society has a great supply of new books now for its members, should all avail themselves of the opportunity of reading good books to pass a pleasant summer. How pleasant to lie under a leafy, branching tree, the green grass, a soft luxurious couch, and by the magic of books enter fairyland; converse with gallant knights and ladies gay. Good books are a treasure, tilling the mind, ennobling the heart, making life sweeter and better. Bad books tarnish, rust the soul, blunt the mind, destroy the finer feelings. Hence, what an advantage for the members of the S. L. S. who have a library composed of the best books, thus the works of Maurice F. Egan are novels, filled with strong manly feeling, and Catholic pictures, beautiful enough to arrest the attention of the most fastidious. His books are the best antidote to the subtle poison that insidously lurks in so many books of fiction. His “A Marriage of Reason” is considered by competent critics to be his best work. Other books that are to be recommended, for their strength and unflagging interest, are the works of the Flemish novelist, Hendrick Conscience and Mrs. Dorsey’s and especially Father Faber's, the prose-poet. Of his poems it. has been said, “They are the inner thoughts of a man of God.” Another book that may be safely trusted to make friends of its readers is “Fath of Our Fathers’’ by Cardinal Gibbons. Let* Ous hope that the everlasting flood of literary trash will soon become so tiresome to the readers of the S. L. S. that a purer taste may arise, and the novels of Christian artists be given their rightful place. The annual public examination of St. Joseph College was held last Tuesday. Many distinguished visitors were present: Rt. Rev. Joseph Ralemacher, Very Rev. Henrj’ Dress, Rev. Thomas Eisenring and Kaenig of Ft. Wayne. Rev. Schisock and Walyer of Sedalia, Mo., etc.