Address of Congratulation.
The Archbishop of Philadelphia.
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T is a subject of lasting regret that no stenographer reported the address of congratulation delivered by the Archbishop of Philadelphia. It was a delightful exposition of his happiest manner, and while, as an effect, it impressed itself on the memory of every hearer, even those who recalled it most clearly felt that they could never reproduce the choice of words, the play of fancy, the light of wit, and, in certain passages, the serious and ardent religious sentiment that characterized it. Without, therefore, attempting to offer His Grace's exact sentences, it may be said that, in substance, he spoke as follows:
The Archbishop began by saying that, when he noted his own name on the programme, he consulted an ecclesiastic as to its meaning, and was told that it meant that he should congratulate himself on possessing a house of the Sacred Heart; and, consequently, he had, indeed, even in the chapel that morning, congratulated himself on possessing two houses of the Sacred Heart. When Coadjutor Bishop of St. Louis, long before coming to Philadelphia, he had enjoyed the similar ground for congratulation, and had known and valued the Sacred Heart for more years than he would name. His Grace then paid a beautiful general tribute to the Order and to its work. He next spoke in the most delightful manner to the guests, pointedly distinguishing them as former pupils, not old pupils, which produced many smiles. He reverted to the glorification of woman and her mission, her powers and their exercise, to which all had listened that morning from the eloquent lips of the orator of the day; but acknowledged that, at the termination of so magnificent a eulogy, he had felt fear; yes,—fear, and he emphasized the sentiment. Fear that the ladies present, elated and convinced by such a testimony, would go home believing themselves the superiors of their fathers, brothers and husbands. Nay, even the good religious, humble as they might have become by meditation
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