Cross Bulletin December 1915

--- Page 1 --- less than its productive capacity could bear ) : to-day it is desperate , to staunch the wound . " Before the famine years seventy years ever since the days of the great famine Sister has hardly once raised a finger , till the condition was the population of the country was over eight millions ( much the population of England has doubled , the population of the unlikeliest quarters on Irish manhood . " For nearly Ireland has literally been bleeding to death , and the Elder little more than four millions . During the period in which the surprising value which has suddenly been set in Miscellaneous . Miscellaneous . VIL. Herod's Palace . By Gabriel for Boys and The Highway of the Cross . Hall Chapter XV. By addressed envelope . the Owner of Gorreston . By G. M. Hort- By Rev. Oswald Donnelly , THE GUILD " OF BEESSED By Lucy M. Ourd His Powers of Invention . Distance . By Edith Pearson : BV Rev. H. E. G. Rope Rev. P. Wareing . OP. NE of the strongest by-products of the present war is To See and Choose My Path . Bulgarian Shepherds' Hymn . Enid Dinnis . Bethlehem . Titerary Communications to the Editor , at the same address . Star-Myths and Star-Truths . contents . A Carol of Three Kings . Felicia . Curtis . Annual Subscription to THE CROSS . Three Shillinas , most two AN Atmospheric Effect . ' By Martimer . 314 . N.A. Business Letters to be addressed to the Manager . Mr. Arms . THE SONDIER'S. 323 page . December , 1915 . 34.8 girls . Institute . NSS . will not be returned unless accompanied by stamped . page . 330s . 324 c.p. 337 Dream of 332 309 No. 8 . 331 ) in Thanksgiving , etc. Vol. VI . 352 . 341 . 344 . 340 By IVL. 331 . Description . " " HYMAN . THE Soldier's Dream of passionist fathers . 34 8 structed # THE --- Page 2 --- portion of the emigrants that went to make up this reduced misgovernment threatened themselves and their country and that of the four provinces . " Ulster supplied the largest pro- first nine months of the present year - a decrease of nearly Your King and Country Need You . " . Tens of thousands figure lower than that of England's principal city . Not only Hamid's famous principle that " the way to settle the Armen- little wonder that the population of Ireland has sunk to a " Well , then , it now appears you need my help ... ... you cumstances ) : they took the unforgiving attitude of a Shylock . Indian on the shores of Manhattan or a Phoenician in Corn- cent . " They were told that a worse evil than even English the colours in the Empire's greatest need , acquitted them- now , congratulated itself in the early days of the Irish exodus obtained show an increased fertility . " But it would need an thing like 26,000 a year , suddenly dropped to 7.572 for the with prospects of better government , had declined to some- your threshold ! " They saw no sufficient reason why they that they would be forced to fight . ' History , not so very ous light ( small blame to them , perhaps , considering the cir- ian question is to get rid of the Armenians . " The way to and The Times , more representative of England then than imazingly increased fertility to compensate for a drain by selves like men . As a result the emigration figures which , stone among all the countries for which figures could be immediately preceding the war . And it is interesting to note the propaganda , looked on the empire's need in a less gener- for doubling that , they forgive and forgot , and rushing to emigrate . suddenly began to scream out to every Basser-by . by a member of the London Statistical Society a few years which Lord Kitchener ( who should know ) called " magnifi- harried and bullied by ignorant recruiting agents and told go , that as regards birth-rate " Ireland and all its divisions stake and which had practically disowned them . They were emigration of an average of sixty thousand a year : so it is train , but it was even welcomed and encouraged on Abdul settle the Irish question was apparently to get rid of the Irish , ngs in every town and village throughout Ireland , which had that did ... ... . Foot me as you spurn a stranger our over a short time the species would be as rare in Ireland as a Red August in the year of grace 1914 . wall . The unctions prediction went on fulfilling itself until that " the Celts were going with a vengeance " and that in Ireland has been halved-and this in spite of the fact , noted Then a change came . The dead walls and public build- hitherto been plastered with inducements to young men to of young men heard the cry and responded to it in a war 19,000 if compared with the first nine months of the year 1907 08 09 should fight the battles of an empire in which they had no figure . Still a small minority of the people , in spite of a the world , and , though they might well have been pardone othing done by English statesmanship to stop this fatal isno . --- Page 3 --- language that it matters very little to Ireland whether the called such a letter forth has produced in its passionate words by officials in high places , has done more to discourage re- Faisandier , Bishop of Trinchinopoly , for Irish missionaries olic zeal of the sons and daughters of Ireland in the Foreign home with heart affection , was admitted to Athlone work - Ireland has yielded the palm of missionary activity to France . our old round of "disgovernment , intensified by a grinding marked share in the evangelisation of beaten Africa , Liverpool shipping office . It anything could add to its with his Lordship that the chances of the war against Prus- of the Irish newspapers which reported the " ragging " scene Irish newspapers . Space does not allow of our quoting that deal of food for thought . sian barbarism are such a negligible thing , even for Ireland . poverty that will make life intolerable . " Many will disagree rouse , an inmate . Mr. Burke said it was a poor wind-up for empire alone can with justice boast of an abundance of voca- served on H.M.S. ' Devon ' at Gallipoli and was invalided but few will deny that the display of " patriotism " which sionaries to America , she can surely spare some for India . " letter , in which the opinion is expressed in very vigorous should look to Ireland , because that portion of the British cruiting in Ireland than this disgraceful scene outside the Bishop of Limerick , which has found its way into most of the Ireland , " Mr. Faisandief had said , " sends many mis- tions to the priesthood , and Ireland is already taking a Mission field . The writer , in pressing an appeal of Ngr. It is because the Irish spirit was at one time crushed and well tion of the Irish in Catholic Missions ( St. Stephen's House , parts of the empire might do worse than follow . But calling Westminster ) for November pays a high tribute to the apos- a man who had served his country at the greatest danger , Nothing that has occurred since the war began , not even has almost exhausted itself in setting an example which other he stupid ignoring of the gallantry of the Irish regiments effect " it would be " the powerful letter of his Lordshin the a powerful deterrent to recruiting among " the small remnant Coming from a French missionary . " says the writer . war is won or not , for " win or lose . Ireland will go on , in for India , says " it is only natural that Bishop Faisandier in Liverpool : " John Flaherty , naval reserve man , who graph which appeared in an obscure corner of the same issue these words must not be understood as a Approach , for if , As a study in contrasts it is worth while reprinting a para- An eloquently written article on " The Missionary Voca- the cross . of the Irish race " left in Ireland . rocks of Gallipoli or the plains of Flanders . As it is . Ireland point in the world war . " That is all , but it gives a good its sons " towards " and " shirkers " will not help matters . 1907 --- Page 4 --- That was her point of view , it appeared . John was ence , being at least three hundred and fifty years old . But avenues , which included Boldevera Avenue , lay just off the been quite interested-please excuse this digression , I am an atmospheric effect . ing to Fitz-Tracv House , which they pulled down to build up tone of his voice . ) Evelyn had the most perfect taste , and Everlyn suffered John's medievalism gladly . It amused him . end with John and Evelyn in their new home . Cookney attended Mass at the Roman Catholic church out of respect-an artist's respect , so , it seemed for the Chris- ally I made a point of going to spend the first possible week - were no children . It was a terrible lack . The children were approved of me frankly when " I became a Papist-John had tianity of the Middle Ages . " I need not tell you that he was cheap furnisher . There was only one thing lacking . " There affair . The entire place came under the hammer . The house , a place that one would have termed an ideal home before that form of mediaevalism . She was what is termed - I think by badly wanted . John and Evelyn were a devoted couple , but of magnificent fitness . ' The Cottage , ' as it was called , was call it " The Heritage ! " Heaven forgive him ! " Natur- an ardent " fancy .Franciscan . ' ) . Evelyn disapproved of this Holy" Grail itself , but that went too ! ) A friend offered John the house was furnished exquisitely in the expensive-simple a berth in his office in the city , and my young couple started the Church Times , or is the Guardian ? a ' loyal church- appellation got into the jargon of the Jerry-builder and woman . ' I respected her for her attitude . She had dis- devera Avenue . Our house is on the right-hand side as you ny books there . It was an ideal place for a ghostly experti- and feel like a vandal . ' You must come and see ' us in Bol- all his money and was practically sold up . It was a terrible possessed the trick of getting the quotation marks into the time John believed that he had come into possession of the go down from the Parade , and the landlord has elected to hem in their charming " cottage . ' In fact I wrote some of neandering through my story ! I frequently stayed with ne sometimes wondered if they were not a bit about mentally . wrote . ' looks on to a fragment of the old garden wall belong - is more or less newly built , and the little group of so-called the furniture , and the books and antiques . ( I fancy at one fashion . ' There was the luxury of space , of polished floors - he Frank worshipper of all things medieval . ' He'll even the ghostly experience didn't come till later when John lost these eligible residences . Tapologies to it every morning , boasts , as you know , of an ancient church . All the rest of it ohn possessed a splendid library and Evelyn a museum of life afresh in a small newly-built house in Boldevera Avenue , orrect appurtenances to the " Simple Life . " ( The speaker South Cookney , London , S.W. Of course , I've changed mental picture of the new abode . ' Our back yard , ' John he name . ' My heart went out to my young friends . I drew a 315 --- Page 5 --- on a drastic scale . Even old Pasht seemed to feel the atmos- so effectively precluded the luxury of the ' Simple life . ' But of things for the comment that the place offered no facilities with the sparrows hopping about , well within reach . Paint That kind of cheeriness might have got on the nerves . But an experience of the most unexhilarating kind . ' The change Byelvin in their cumbersome , " UN-Franciscan , poverty , ' which this was quite a natural and unforced variety of heart , which to me that this place has a sort of beneficent atmosphere about he ( alleged ) garden . He was sitting calmly on the grass-plot . be infected in the same way that I was by ' The Hermitage . ' never yet in domestic animals went with prosaic retrenchment for swinging Pasht . Evelyn's Persian cat , for instance . I had been prepared to find them cheerily making the best have lived here . but it is queer you should have noticed it . pretends to be a villa ! I ought to have kept for John and She looked at me quickly , and quite seriously may have been created before in history by an adventurous would think I had gone mad if I started taking about almost- imazingly tame , they don't mind him a bit . ' to him ? ' I enquired of Evelyn- ( John had gone off to busi- ing me what I already knew . ' We are the first people who incursion into primitive existence , but which I am certain instance , from the tyranny of a staff of servants , but this was I have all along . One ought to have a terrific hump , nor- leave here for worlds ! ' share . I was watching him at breakfast one morning , out in had been a great sportsman in his day . ' What's come -there was no occasion to ! My host and hostess seemed to leave an atmosphere , they say . you noticed it ? ' she said , in half-awed tones . ame here , ' Evelyn said thoughtfully - and the birds here are ness ) " he used to be a terrible one for birds . " We watched nally , in a hole like this , ' but - ' pen my word , I wouldn't from a house that pretends to be a cottage to a cottage that rights , but one isn't - one can't be ! ' it . I wonder if it was created by the last people . " People do " It was newly-built when we came , ' John answered , tell- I feel it constantly . One ought to be miserable here by " " I suppose it is the atmosphere , " I answered . " " I wonder if John has noticed it , ' I remarked . reticence between the husband and wife . A queer shyness alone . ' Who lived here before you ? ' I enquired . ' " It was curious . I had noticed it so often before . this " I haven't mentioned it to him , ' Evelyn said . him through the French window . now , Evelyn , I believe this place is bewildched . ' ordinary , but this place has got what you call an atmosphere . pheres . I couldn't talk about it to John . ' " Pasht has become extraordinarily benevolent since he I'm such a common-sense person , " Evelyn went on . " and want of understanding . it seemed to be . ' John thinks Do you . " I tackled John myself that evening , when I had him MIN.A HANDMAN HANCORATION It's extra- " Have . I had him . A queer shyness . He --- Page 6 --- lays in our house of the Order of our holy Father St. Francis all , the writer proposed to tell of his most holy and humble wood on the borders of the lands belonging to Sir Hugh Fitz- now-days , backed up by Act of Parliament . The holy man vonderful things accomplished by him , both in his cell in the Dear Lady and her Child , to whom the holy hermit had a they drove him from his home the snow did fall thickly and would he lay him down to rest without first praying for a put one fierce thought into his heart against the tyrant , who is call and like our Father St. Francis he would make friends then went on to tell how Sir Hugh Fitz-Tracy . ' being a bad man of God . The very beasts and birds would gather round received his notice of eviction weekly to all outward appear - to build a new house for himself . ' In short , the bad baron , Friars Observant , where he remained till his death . ' The Tracy . ' The fame of the anchoret's sanctity had spread far most ardent devotion . He had wrought the image with his on that most joyous feast , in the odour of sanctity . The story the wanderer was without shelter , yet did he kneel down in to remain a solitary . he entered the Franciscan monastery at had in wantonness robbed him of his home . ' ' Twas but a neadows where he lived for many years a solitary , and here in in this same spot where her image stood . ' The narrative now made in penitence . ' The narrative went ' on to enlarge solitary's cell stood , and demanded the same on the which for he did begun to cast covetous eyes on the place where the holy without written word that time may corrupt the telling of the given place to it , and in penitence he vowed a row that never brethren , truelly driven forth from his anchorage . ' Above Richmond and became a humble novice in the order of the vas said that Our Lady did appear to him at times in visions for his prosecutor . So , taking it that God did not intend him themselves how exceeding sweet and lovable was this gentle he settled himself on his bed of ashes for the last , long sleep flessing on those who should dwell on the spot " where his was caught else than a table and stool , and an image of Our well-beloved anchorage had stood . The first night after that he cave into which he had crept and pray his pious prayer was filled with an overwhelming sorrow after that he had orders : yet it seemed that it was permitted that ' Satan should led in the wattle hut in which he dwell " at the edge of a to quit , in much the same way as a railway company does inces . He packed up his few goods and prepared to obey description of the death of the holy man was given . How , as assing thought , hot and resentful , but the gentle anchoret by virtue of his feudal powers , gave the holy hermit notice 1 the sanctity of the anchoret , and to describe the life he ren with the most savage and untamed . Within the cell wn hands and coloured it , else , with bright pigments . It ran , was filled with hatred and envy by the devil so that id wide , and people came in Rocks to visit him - and see for e monastery that gave him shelter when he joined our if his holy life hath so long passed from mouth to mouth --- Page 7 --- been shown . But the people of the village did mark and elect to build his new house at the far end of the meadow , so spoke up . ' I'm going to try and localise the exact spot river , on the banks of which the old church stands , the only it lieth , as it was measured . most straightly , and with all care . of the tower and pacing southward over the meadows . The may a man measure it , setting his heel , etc , against the wall most justly withheld from him , about that the blessed brother still regretting my remark about Evelyn . We strolled out seen his visions , so that it might be for ever venerated , and a soul visible in the High Street , which leads down to the never learned this , but continued to pray unto the end , as hath into the deserted streets . Everyone knows what Christmas four-hundred-and-sixty-one faces from the south wall of the bear in mind the spot where the holy hermit had lived and church tower of Cookenheth and twenty faces to the east . So wicked Sir Hugh , after banishing the blessed Robert , did had made his dwelling , so that the holy man's blessing was afternoon is like in London and its suburbs . ' There was not far as the church , almost in silence . Then John suddenly ensity . Their Church has it still , and no one else . that it was not built , after all , on the spot where the anchored at the far end of the meadow that he did so fully wrest from It was the little human touch at the end of the narrative the blessing on those who dwell on the spot where his cell had great new house built by the wicked Sir Hugh , standing fair the diningroom fire while Evelyn was upstairs with the baby . They have it still . ' he went on , with almost passionate in- readily . Iohn was very nervous and unlike himself . I was served . I wished I hadn't immediately afterwards , for poor It was late in the afternoon and we had been sitting over He smiled . " They had got hold of the truth . all the John looked so thoroughly unhappy . " What would Evelyn say if she could hear you ? " I ob- reading the transcript . he got up suddenly . Then came in the really human part of the narrative . same , ' he said . Then he - outed , with what was on his mind . the servant of God . ' They were quaint chaps , those old I thought it wiser to change the subject for the moment . at any rate . ' How amazingly interesting this is , ' I said . ancient thing , pretty well , left in Cookney . We walked as picking up the manuscript . ' Didn't Fitz-Tracy house stand stood adventure . ' monks , I said . looking across at John , when I had finished " Let's go out and get a breath of air , ' he said . I agreed he did open his eyes yet again to pray his nightly prayer for quite near here ? ' " This is the Fitz-Tracy estate , ' John answered . Then But most fortunately . ' the writer observed naivelv . ' the incuous . of her . ' simply couldn't because ' That's it , ' he murmured . ' I simply couldn't because that took my fancy . Their Church has it still , and no one else . that took my fancy . ' They were quaint chaps , those old 320 --- Page 8 --- there is another baby . They wouldn't exchange ' The Her- neck . John looked round as I entered . ' Come in , god- The Boy may have had something to do with it-boys are still live in Boldevera Avenue . John is doing pretty well , and any rate , after John and Evelyn had made Truth their trysting the diningroom re-reading the transcript mechanically , and mitage " for ' The Cottage ' for anything you liked to offer . hearthrug . Both the rosaries were hung round the baby's father , ' he said . I pulled a face . ' I told you that it would ness or mental alsoofness after that Feast of the Nativity . They to lay dinner , and I returned perforce to the drawing room . Evelyn was seated in her chair with the Boy . John on the phere at ' The Hermitage ' became more marked than ever . wonderful institutions they do link up the parents , but at when a husband and wife of eleven years' standing are intro- ducing themselves to each other ! For about an hour I sat in place they began to make one another's acquaintance , and it was a most delightful experience . There was no more shy- John has even given up his objection to the name of the Villa . It was an awful moment for her . This confession was wondering what was going on . At last the little maid came silence she had seized on the opportunity valiantly : be against rules for the baby to have a Popish godfather , ' I " Do you ? ' John made answer . ' Why , so do I ! ! ' He I bolted from the room . A third person is hardly wanted THE CROSS . " Well , after that Feast of the Nativity , upon the utmost- him the difference between five years and five hundred doesn't evidently the casting off of an unsupportable burden of " Well , " came the answer , " I think myself that the holy brown beads . " I believe in it , too , ' he said . ' What a very queer thing , little wife ? I believe in those things now , and I use a rosary . ' But , really . " another voice said . " could atmosphere make quite agree with you . " the narrator of the story said , said , reprovingly . " I haven't been playing . ' she said . ' I've been praying . " " It's just another coincidence , ' he says . ' the situation with fact . put his hand into his pocket and whipped out a string of ' Pray , let us hear it , ' the hostess said . never-failing , unintelligent listener asked . over-strained . ' terally . " The Eternal One can be simple too . And with the least scientific . ' exist . ' My explanation is a much homelier one-not in " Do you consider it was coincidence ? " the There followed a rather tense silence . Our hostess grasped " Not a Popish baby , ' John chuckled . uself felt after all those hundreds of years ? It seems rather man's prayer . offered in sincerity and simplicity , was answered " That is one of the explanations , " was the answer , given drily . cordially . the voice of the literally . " I quite " Do you consider it was coincidence ? " the voice of the 322 --- Page 9 --- star-led Magi would scarcely be the Gospel especially written case . the frescoes were following the natural line of thought . His hand , a cross , or " cruciform sceptre . We do not know and emotions of alien faiths , submitting them to a purifying similes to illustrate their conviction , and force the lesson having the actual shape of the Divine Child , who bears in ated Saviour had entered into their calculations ; but , in any ship of the star and the cross is an idea that persists in accept the open ; nor if the thought of a dying and humili- and how little she was in danger of establishing an unwar- work of God's fingers , but also employed the most daring that the insight of the Hebrew poets gave a certain breadth rantable precedent from a unique incident , when we remember of sympathy , so that the possibility of something to be learnt even from observation of the stars , was still presented to the tional lessons of that story do not , of course , come within the enough , happens to be the case ! The dogmatic and devo- science . it was regarded as the one sure herald of great events . The time had come for associating the emblem of Divine guise , according to the needs of those to whom it came . as talking together of the wonderful doings of the Creator , scope of this little paper . ' But many beautiful traditions have dent of , if not actually hostile to , the Divine Providence . he star is the symbol of Divine Wisdom ; and , in the Magian Wisdom with the emblem of Divine suffering : and the fellow- On the other hand , we can be thankful that the Hebrew the tradition that the star of the Magi ' and the glory seen To those priestly astronomers , the star would make the one star-shaped and star-rayed-the self-same sign altering its The light that stone over the Bethlehem fields was con- for Jewish Christians , as , significantly and wonderfully whether the Magi's faith would have been strong enough to and not only insisted on the truth that the heavens were the any parallel to the Catholic faculty of accepting the customs And though we cannot expect to find in Jewish thought home . Hebrew poetry does not scruple to describe the stars by the shepherds were , in reality , one and the same . process , and engaging them in the service of God , we do find or as joining with Him in songs of joy over His completed Otherwise , the one Gospel which relates the story of the resistible and intelligible appeal . In all Oriental religions , inspired these seekers after God ; and represent the star as of throwing light on truth . crystallised around it : and legend has often a peculiar power stars themselves , and to regard them as influences , indepen- Star-myths and star-truths . Early Church realised the Oneness of the Uncreated Light , poets did not allow their vision to be limited by this feeling ; Some early Christian frescoes elaborate the thought that lived of as seen in the distant East , by the watching sages , Jewish mind , from generation to generation . simpler minds , to lay the blame of the star-worship on the work . For instance . we are helped to understand how fully the bizu . --- Page 10 --- tions , she had a stern and unrelenting conflict to wage with those learned star-worshipers who , from time to time , and it is interesting to compare with this the custom , in the would see the tree-like branches of golden lights , crowned by temptation to emotional and imaginative souls : to star-lovers . churches of Catholic Germany , of lighting up a seven-branched that altogether we get a substitution of Christian for beaten always presented perhaps always will present ! a peculiar who , instead of Odin's sacred fir and Odin's omniscient eye , ignorant of astronomy , or incapable of the patience and Odin , ' and of the one all-seeing eye he was supposed to votaries . very gently , and little by little . from the old affec- but there was much private encouragement of the forbidden new Faith , and the symbol had to be amplified accordingly ; appealed to the imagination of the most slow-witted convert , name of " Nuttergottesleuchter , " or " Madonna-Lights " # This thought is sometimes traceable in the smallest details . In the ford to smile at their pretensions , and to wear their simpler art , and we have evidence that many of those who scoffed at But though the old gods were dead . and the Church could The laws of the Roman Empire had condemned astrologers : mage of the Madonna and Child : from which they get their the cross . As the Emperor Liberals ! He was one of those who penalised astrologers ; The German Christmas tree , proper , bears , in addition to yet he caused the horoscopes of various individuals , whose ambitions dis- possess . It was not only for Eastern converts that the star would be quieted him , to be drawn , for his inspection ; and if he found any promises or exactness which that science demands . and as the celebrant places it over , the patent to keep the corporal from dis- A new attribute had been revealed in the Godhead by the augmentation of honour . " it was , of course , the emblem , per excellence , of the Sun-god , exists between them . her who bore " The Bright and Morning Star , " and was her- the usual tapers , an illuminated star on the topmost bought ; half-hoops of silver crossing each other at right angles , " called the asteriscus ; the golden tree . ' the superstition cherished a secret belief in it . 4 turbing the wafers , he has to repeat the Gospel words : " The star came Catholic Art , and over-rides the natural antagonism that These church-candlesticks are usually surmounted by an self to be hailed as " the Star of the Sea . ' optic and Greek rituals , there is an Eucharistic utensil consisting of " two candlestick at Christmas and Epiphanytide , and calling it or , to use the vivid language of heraldry , had to receive an imagery too obvious to need comment . a familiar religious symbol . In Scandinavian Mythology , predictions of future greatness . he caused the unfortunate persons to be put appeared in her own ranks . A strongical superstition has stood , etc . ' In earlier days . it must have arrested the attention , and to death . exactness which that science demands . 326 327 --- Page 11 --- white rose , found a humbler parallel in the mediaeval mass of the Universe , drawn by pious scholars : and showing Christ Chartreuse , founded by St. Bruno and granted to him by ship of the host of heaven . A falling star indicates a soul . circles of the spheres . On a still humbler scale ( and , perhaps , Again , the Alpine site of the monastery of the Grand snow-clad mountains , illumined by a supernatural glow from seven stars , which hung over it , and symbolised St. Bruno and was given for reward , at his own request , the privilege for that , still dearer ! ) are the various folk-tales , concerning by a dream , wherein the bishop saw the plot between the that is the right of fearless love . The Universe is the plan- though it , too , pointed 'thither . will cross themselves , and murmur a prayer . who pityingly gave Our Lord a lift on the road to Calvary , presence of Uncreate' Godhead ) chroned above the concentric ground of the child of God ; and Christian fancy is at home expressing , each in its own way , the sense of God's leader- endeared by the homely title of " Walsingham Way , " as The star-badges of all the Knightly Orders incorporate In such star-stories we see the familiarity with the Infinite A word must be said of the use of the star in the insignia . Light , is the example , per excellence , of this . " ultimately lead it to Him ; and the sight of it , the charitable of driving on from East to West , for ever and ever . the stars , still current among the peasantry of Europe , and The Milky War was called in France . " Chemin des transcends the stars , and spreads like the petals of a great everywhere . augmentation " under Christianity is especially applicable on his forehead , in allusion to the legend of a star that hovered influence , and reflecting each a special ray of the Divine In Christian art St. Dominic , too , is represented with a star there is a German tradition that it is the soul of a waggoner of Knighthood ; for what we have said of its " honourable Of Alcor , the seemingly small and dark star in the Plough . sed of confession to satisfy the jealous suspicions of the king . " The saint's some form of the Cross , or are , in some manner , reminiscent the cross . time of the fame of Our Lady's Shrine at Walsingham , it was with a star on his breast . going home to Him ; or into a place of purgation which will Dante , with his " Ten Heavens . " each under a planetary # There is also the story of Saint John of Nenomuk : thrown over the and his six companions . Hence , St. Bruno is often figured about his cradle , like a guardian spirit . ' ridge of Prague by order of Wenceslas ' TV , because he refused to violate the body , it is said , did not sink , and was found Roating , surrounded by Harry His majestic vision of the Abode of the Blessed , which here . about his cradle , like a guardian spirit . " Hugh , bishop of Grenoble , is said to have been indicated lights . and His Mother ( together with some mystic symbol of the nes " - the path of the souls " while , in England , in the His majestic vision of the Abode of the I 328 is said . --- Page 12 --- The soldier feared no more . but knalt But keeping through a chink he saw And oh . He smiled because the knew Was wrapped beneath each swaddling fold ! Just where the Mother knew and felt The Christchild on His bed of straw : He asked no other gift than this : " Alas I how ' shall I venture high While Mary knelt beside and stove A God whom angels glorify ? Outside the cave he paused in shame , To keep Him warm with her heart's love . For cherubin praised Jesus' name ... . That Love the Heavens cannot hold That her dear love was ever true . To Bethlehem it guided , where UPON the battlefield star . Was born the Christchild pure and fair . The Soldier's Dream of Bethlehem For love is Heaven's highest bliss . The soldier saw a shining star- He woke-to fire , and For peace and love dwell in shot and shell ; his heart . no part ; nonassmanlessness . minute Mortimer . so well ; But in his life they played # But in his life they , 0 0 0 0 1961 62 0 0 0 0 1940s , To pain and woo he knew 0 0 1930s ago 1961 62 . 1930s . 1930s ago 0 0 0 0 0 0 # 0 0 id woo he knew 0 0 1930s , 0 0 0 0 # values 0 women # # ississ . --- Page 13 --- ing their more agile companions . " He muttered unintelligently exasperatingly unheedful of their impatience , . Andy was audience ( for which one of them had not known old Andy stooned close down to the keyhole and shouted as loudly as to himself as he slowly unwound the ample scarf from his man a welcome guest in any house for miles around , but , amount of sympathetic putting on the back seemed to relieve . suddenly ceased ; then the door was pulled brusquely open throat , but the twinkle in his eye should have warned his tably in anticipation of one of the yarns which made the old suddenly seized with a violent fit of coughing which no from their cradle ? ) that there was probably rather more ' What's the matter will me ' music . Andy . now ? " " de- nanded the fiddler from his perch on an up-turried cart . What is it he's swim ? " questioned somebody . improvised seat whence some of the elder folk had been watch- his old , cracked voice would permit : be thinkin' . " answered the old man calmly , pushing his he dreamily contemplated the rafters overhead . and the old man stood upright in a warm glow of light . to the back of his head and looking round on the company . " That ' was not so " much of his music that fellow should ov : for there's aware powers gets into a bit of a chune at Immediately a chorus of voices assailed him . There was a scultte and a scream within , and the music Andy suffered himself willingly enough to be led to an Andv folded his hands complacently over h " His me that . " he gashed at length : " ' His that dhry . indignation . ( Tay , indeed ! ) queried old Mrs. Casey , anxiously . His listeners exchanged glances . He shook his head . " Why , ' His old Andy ! They gathered round him and settled themselves comfor- tax , would be more comfortin' ? " ' Tell us the tale . ' Andy . ' " I said " was not so much we should be thinkin' of it , me " P'reps wid a little drop o' something in it ? " she sug- Ah , do now . ' Andy . ' Shut the door . then . Larry avick , or we'll be dancing ' will " I could be tellin' ve . if I chuse . " he remarked . May the Heavens be the bed of them that are good to the D've hear him now , wid his big talk ? " poor this blessed night ! ' I would not . ma'am . " he retorted with scarcely veiled times . gested . Maybe the little drop o' something warm , without the What does the man made at all , at all ? " the could ! ' " We wouldn't be likin' a little sup o' nice hot lay , then ? " " Bring him in , Larry ! " method than was apparent in his madness . his stick and 30. --- Page 14 --- chune on his fiddle that ' ud make all the boys in Ireland fall whether we want them or no : the rather tricklin' down , an ' Dublin to earn his fifty pounds , an ' Bridge went about shrings of that old fiddle , an ' he thought of how he wanted Dan was playin' , the shtrange gentleman was making ' dots to have little Budget always by him an ' be comfortable with shunes the young folk dance to down at the cross roads - an' shtrokes all over a big sheet o' paper an ' then himself hune an ' Dan played it for him , over an ' over again . Surely at Dan and nothing more : but not so long after , a strange off to the recruiting' sergeant and tell him he could make a In' so he played of all the things that call to ye , call to je girl was never the same from that day on ; she seemed to feel happen but the very first day " was played by the soldiers , did he do it ? ' Twas aisy enough , sure . He got the notion by the fire which the night is black outside , and the bits o cared for that same flag , to be sure . ) " The sergeant laughed of the fine thing he had done , an ' how he'd be home before of Bridget bein' taken from him , an what does he do but go all the civil that was in him seemed to ha' got into the the soldiers . Well , he wrote a letter to Bridget tellin' her her an ' all that , an ' how he wanted to get the boys away . long looking that grand in his red coat an ' all . But the little that if all the boys want off to fight there'd be the less chance mother , an' quick , an' compelling . ' There never was a chune singin' to keep her poor little heart up for the time he should do but take the civil's own advantage of that same . How boy , he couldn't resist , an ' he want straight off an ' followed somehow that he'd never come back , and she just what thin the bells , an ' the wind in the trees and the old songs they sing that had the 'comether in it like that one . An ' all the while into step and follow the flag . " Twas little enough himself an' white an ' tired with the waitin' . An ' Dan never so much gathetic ejaculations of the audience , Patsy blushed with took the fiddle an ' played-an' sure enough , he'd got the very Dan's plain ' . Maybe the stranger hadn't got the civil in chune , too" them that were list "n' said " was not so fine as shame and wriggled back into the shadow , and Andy calmly ' Well , he took the chune away to Dublin , an ' what must gentleman came to see him an ' talked to him about his fine As I was sayin ' , the war broke out ; an what does Dan esumed his story . be comin' back . ' Twas not so long atther that the war broke Overwhelmed with confusion at the sarcasm and the unsvm- As it the boy that's been to the National School that's father was all there-allurin' as the cry of a weekly babe to its Micky should hear it , and did the music in him , the poor skin' what war it was ? ' he demanded . " " " " " " " " " to look at his interlocutor . the fiddle . him like Dan . The old man paused in his narrative and turned slowly askin' what war it was ? ' he demanded . " What war was that , Andy ? " Interrupted the boy with out . ' assear --- Page 15 --- the voice goes singin ' , singin' of all the things that call to An 'tis nothing' more nor less than dead Budget singin' the in the village an ' Bridget took it , and before Dan knew she an" when ' Micky heard it , he up an' cursed him . he did so was bad almost , she was taken from him an ' he was alone . stirred " into movement and a murmur of comment broke on ve'll hear , when the dark has fallen , a little shrill voice singin for of course he'd heard ' not him ' . ' I An't then old Dan , shtricken will remove , could him all , about the chune an ' all beyant the hedges , where we can't see the singer at all . An ' Callaghan's farm on the anniversary of Micky's comin' home , fully back in the shadow of the old cart and went in silence to stand beside Mrs. Casey's dark-eyed Annie ; the girl took down the hill-side , and the songs the old folk sing at night . An' from that time to this , if yet go by the way of Dan 're the wind in the trees , and the rather tricklin , tricklin' the silence . The boy with the fiddle laid his instrument care- Andy drained his glass and stood up slowly as his audience THE CROSS . chune that took her lover from her an ' broke her poor little stood for a moment looking back at the barn from whence the to light the old man's pathway down to the road . the wars an ' , gay as a dark , turned up to claim the little girl , goin' from him yet . Then there came a fever or something An' that's what I mane which I say there's quare powers the door was opened and Patsy came forward with the lantern Then as Andy reached the road the door was closed and he A little gust of frozen snow in from the darkness as and Patsy laughed as he held the lantern about . anyway . ' ' Tell me now , Andy , ' he whispered , " wasn't it all invin- Mrs. Casey , ma'am , " he went on , forestalling any further " A little while after that again , Micky came back from The old man began to wind his muffler carefully around his as noticed it . he was that selfish an ' glad to think she'd not be Is that a three story , Andy ? " she asked . gets into music sometimes . ' As he set off up the road homewards , he chuckled again . D've made to be paying a compliment to me powers of Lucy M. Curd . The old man's answer was lost in the folds of his muffier , invinton ? " he evaded . lave , I'll be goin' . questioning . may the saints reward ye ! -an' now , by yet no notice of him but least forward eagerly . tion , after all ? ' heart . A fraud am I ? " he chuckled . " Well , the story was fraud entirely ! " ' But the little ' drop of comfort was not , ' he added . ind of music once more sounded on the frosty air . throat . Ye're a great Andv. Andv . " he called ' after him . " We're a great --- Page 16 --- folds of gleaming white and shaded silver fall round the weak . and such as oriental kings then wore on state occasions . Its His torn garments and suffering body , and they mock His But the members of the Sanhedrin , outraged that their author- Lower Galilee , yet Tiberias . Herod's own lordly city , had the descendant of Esau goes in the war of Esau . the war of priests , scribes , and " heads at families , are also admitted . gone , and his strange career over , he seems an impeccile . for him to do but remit it to the Roman Prosecutor , in- kingship-Hered , his courtiers , his mercenaries , these fair- livered to that prince . The representatives of the Sanhedrin , neither word nor look for Herod : the scaffer is unheaded : the idea of kingship . he causes " the white garment " to be them little heed , rather their vacation and anger gratify him . preaching . His doctrine . His miracles : why He had favoured their demand more loudly and " insistently . " Herod gives kind , the suffering and helpless condition of the accused of the courtiers . Herod , to hide his vacation , joins in : even never heard His voice or seen any of His wonderful works . appeals to him , and he desires to conciliate in the hope of Lord will not break His silence . He had reproached Judas , whiteness , of cloth of silver , from his own royal wardrobe . condemned prisoner made fun of , hold their ground and press His parents . His home at Nazareth . His avocation : of His was an impostor : now that the infatuation of the people is Hered was too shrewd to burden himself with the respon- emonstrated with Annas , spoken by loving ' glance to ' Peter , laughter grows louder , and the mockery bitter . Still our THE Highway of the Cross . His kingship , ' not knowing that it " is not of this world . ' silence is on His lips , the gleaming whiteness trembles over answering word or look . A slight laugh breaks from some answered Cainhas , conversed with Pilate . " But there is he demand for its execution . Herod at first seems not un- is contempt of the accusation laid before him , and mocking opposite , visited the towns and traversed the rich valleys of still elements of danger . There was therefore , nothing else seeing some miracles . He asks him many questions , of the presence of Herod , and Pilate's courageous message de- It is between eight and nine o'clock that our Lord , under His word . placed on our Lord . It is a robe of splendid and glittering the Prophet of Nazareth and of witnessing some marvels at the conduct of the Centurion and his men , is ushered into sibility of a case that . however lightly he might view it , had the soldiers are heard laughing . They agree that the man haired , blue-eyed soldiers from the banks of the Danube , mod Capharnaum and the fishing villages of the sea , and the desert lost blessing . His head is bowed . His face is bleeding . Then partly to amuse himself and his friends , partly to show ord is silent : He stands with bowed head : there is no conveying from that highest tribunal the death sentence , and and sentence should be treated so lightly . and their bor . ng frame and beneath the sorrowful face . The http www man who wants it as well from 338 . --- Page 17 --- is extremely popular with his tenantry : the farms and cottages into the Roman Catholic Church . Sir John Gorreston is The Owner of Gorreston Hall : surprise to many of his friends . ' on his various estates are not to be excelled by any in this country . The news of his change of faith will come as a It is about cousin John. grandmama . Did you know ? " John Gorreston , of Gorreston Hall , has just been received ton exacted from her belongings was the reading aloud of tree where the granny was waiting for her , and unfolded the Jemima obeyed . ' newspaper . One of the many small attention's Lady Gorres - young man of great ability , and much personal charm . He There was silence when Jemima finished reading . have about her as much as possible , took a seat under the the daily news . Lady Gorreston beckoned to him . and as he came up signed think of it , " said the old lady magisterially : Just read that paragraph , Leo , and tell me what you thoughts of the reader were following one train of meditation chapter XV . Gorreston's departure . Jemima , whom the old lady liked to Leo just then appeared crossing the lawn at a little distance . ' Sir John Gorreston , only son and heir of the late Sir while the voice dealt with another . Suddenly Temima A Distinguished Convert . stopped in the very middle of a sentence . Her eye had The girl looked at her with eyes wide with astonishment . It was the day before the Saturday fixed for Lady What is the matter , child ? ' to Jemima to give the paper to her brother , The hearer was critical , quick to detect the fact if the the sole owner of the extensive Gorreston estates , and is a Near Neighbours , " Sec. , Sec. jemima ? " Nothing whatever , grandparents . ' " Transit gloria mundi , tides Catholica manet . " Presently Lady Gorreston said sharply : By Felicia Curtis . Read whatever it is at once , " she said peremptorily . " Did you know anything of John Gorreston's intention , " Know what ? " Lady Gorreston sat suddenly erect . Author of " Under the Rose , " " In the Lean Years . " caught the headline of a neighbouring paragraph . to Jemima to give the paper to her brother . ady Gorreston beckoned to him , and as he Suddenly Jemima . 341 . --- Page 18 --- night's rest with the news . ' I really do not understand why THE CROSS . ince and put a stop to that nonsense , at any rate . grin that provoked his grandmother exceedingly . " I have John's permission to tell you , granny . " I only in instant ! I think I see a grandson of mine with a shaven on that might attract you . Oh , I have no patience with Jemima was too much bewildered by the affair to venture knew that he was received last night , too late to disturb your " What do you think of it , granny ? " he asked pleasantly . wishes to join will deceive him . ' sarcastically . " I believe there are sundry objectionable what John contemplates doing , if the particular Order he head and bare feet ! Disgusting ! I shall write to John at It is a bit reminiscent of the zoo , " agreed Leo , with a perfect right do not you think he has ? to follow his " I think it scandalous on the part of John ! I believe And what are you going to add to the list ? " she inquired Gorreston , wrathfully . " My family is nothing better than with her , nor she with him . ' Lady Gorreston looked at the young man sharply , struck old lady's irate countenance . Oh , granny ! That's rather rough on poor little Jemima , has turned monk ! ' But as to that monk idea , it is not to be entertained for a theological menagerie ! " He sat down on the grass beside her , and looked up into the Gorreston has added what he will tell you is the True " That . " replied Leo , composedly . " I believe is exactly in a remark . Leo sat in silence hugging his knees and Lady Gorreston . by something in his tone . How dare you sit calmly there and tell me such a thing . " I am a woman much to be pitted , " asserted Lady statement . Neither of her hearers felt inclined to contradict that " You are not quarrelling with Gorreston for doing what you should be so much displeased with John . He has a You are quite right , granny . I did . " he believes to be right , are you , granny ? ' If you had accepted your cousin this folly would not have Convictions , indeed ! This is largely your fault . Temima ! happened . ' Right , indeed ! Estates second to few in the kingdom to forms of religion-Shakers and Tumpers and Ranters , and so isn't it ? And you know very well that John was not in love you knew all about this this conversation ? ' Leo read it twice , to gain time , then looked inquiringly at church . ' convictions . ' Church . Low Church . Broad Church . No Church , and now John ! ' Leo ? ' to to Papists ! The next thing will be that I shall hear he ou knew all about this this perversion ? High . on a remark . --- Page 19 --- saving comfort and rest of mind that no matter what happens His closeness is ever ready : and when we trust Him from us possibility of contact : but His gracious condescension and of divine " greatness were He to be within our vision or remote " Closer He is than breathing , and nearer than hands and immensity would overpower us by reason of the very weight the subject would be still as inexhaustible as before . Dominican writer , and so beautifully and vividly forces home Within Thy Heart to be . enderness towards mankind . His lovely eyes is a thorn to pierce us . " " Thus speaks a meditated on and , at the end of our music or disqualation , And with their din , of reproach on His lips when we come back , but the love of Comfort lies in this infinite length of distance , for God's My lovers failed , There is an infinite wonder in this , and Tennyson's words delight at our return . iken to our distance from the Creator : it is an endless vista And yet , there is no distance we can think or dream of to They married all my youth . I could not find release . And grief assailed are the most perfect expression of closest proximity and human thirsting love for us reaches down and comes to us , as we The least distance of all , in another sense , is God's nearness And bound me close , This idea of distance from God could be enlarged and Around , beneath , above . As from the centre thrice to the utmost pole . to us , day and night , each and every minute . It is our My doubts came in , As far removed from God and light of Heaven tries to compute : cannot reach to Him . To take me home , And Thou didst come I asked for Thee . My sins arose , I asked for Truth . I asked for Love . I asked for Peace . young Eton poet , called " Bequests " ? He seems to voice by evil-when we leave Him for awhile " there is no word in the province of thought . The measure is infinite . Milton You remember the perfect verses of Digby Dolben , the his idea with his fresh mystic soul . I will quote the whole : the idea of His wonder at our desire to leave Him and His feet . Digby Dolben , the 844 . --- Page 20 --- sight , one may keep one's soul from any piercing glance , only God and His priest shall keep the key . Our souls are travels leave their impression on present thought and two it . " Thought is so often a lonely track where each must travel comes like a great mountain range between persons . Inevi- lance , our glorious treasure , this distance of one soul from penetrating though it be . It is our birthright . our inheri- the fraction of an inch . Let us keen our souls shrined with alone , away and away from his fellow-man , and past themaht- one could almost expect the floor to subside so that Mrs. benefit , a precious gift that , entirely alone and shielded from tably it is felt , as contact occurs , and nothing can surround the drawingroom , are sitting such specimens of frozen arti- Keep it at its illimitable measurement , never shorten it by their outlook , their treatment , their retrospect . You will find them with Matthew Arnold's " Echoing straits between and one coniures up a vision of an English hotel . where in They live , they live in blast eternity . ficiality , such pompous evidences of ponderous egotism . that and it is the distance of soul from soul . It is a priceless silken curtains of many folds , with doors of beaten gold , and Smith might disappear last Mrs. Brown hear her say " good- similar influences , are as wide apart as life and death . " Pope They are to Him : He'll never them for sake : One may try to forget our companion's less happy oppor- But there is a distance we all must keep , and love to keep . any more marked than this in human intercourse ? . It people living in the same environment , and apparently with Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined . unities and accommodate our train of thought to his , but never wrote a true line than this : the endeavour is a failure and the distance lengthens at each lance in the feeling of sorrow and joy between two people : You often hear people say : " Oh . I kept my distance " : Another great measure of distance is education . ' Is there meant for God and God alone , and their affairs are His and another : and there is no distance we should more value . juncture . When they shall die . then God himself shall die . Henry More so beautifully says : He loves as His own self ; dear as ' His eve right " as she left the room . for Shakespeare says " every subject's soul is his own " . And surely what is so especially God's and our very own- But souls that of His own good life partake Tis education forms the common mind ; us thrown . ' the cross . There is a measureless dis- This education is not only the fruit of purely academic ours . book-lore , but that of feeling . the fruit of purely academic This education is not only book-lore , but that of feeling . ' There is a measures 346 . --- Page 21 --- Guild gives pleasure to all its members . as well as to many who the last that will find its way to Castlevollard . " Margaret following from St. Bonaventure's College desire to be enrolled come , and I trust they will be very active members . ' From I am very grateful for the promise of her prayers . Mary Eilly Barrett and trust that it may be many a long day before finds very great pleasure indeed in reading the prize essays great pleasure I welcome her into the Guild . She also means for her prize , with which she is delighted . I hope it is not son . William Scott , George Jackman , Gerald St. John , Willie sage , and a warm word of thanks for " Luke Delmege . " her Veitch . James Power . Thomas Burke . Simon Carbage , Leo Ryan writes to tell me that although she seldom commates " she Downes and Lillian Rockford . " They are all heartily wel- Road , who has long yearned to be one of us ; and it is with will be freely given by all our members . little and big . The Robert Sullivan , Edward Farrell . Francis Jones , Willie content with simply qualifying for a badge . She means to nine students this year to study for the priesthood-among Phelan , Wilfrid Coughlan , Hugh Brennan , George Blewett , Power . Edward Taaffe . Gerard Edens . Thomas Kelly , Eddie have great pleasure in bidding each and all of them a hearty Dublin newcomer is Julia M. J. Wall , of Harold's Cross seem very lonely without a visit from Lilian Mary Nally . Brothers at New Rochelle . New York . They ask the mem- Kennedy , who intends to strive very hard to qualify for a have never crossed its threshold . I am very glad to hear from lames are Frances Casey . Daisy Finn . Nora Ryan , Kathleen and this month as usual she comes to me with a kindly mes- this month and brings with her five other new members whose oring several more members from Sutton Oak into the Guild . John Gleeson , Dermot O'Flynn , Louis Conrov. John Emer- grateful for her words of praise and " for the blessing of her promoter's badge . I am sure she will be successful . Another GUILD OF BLESSED GABRIEL . bers of the Guild for prayers that they may persevere in the Drumcondra comes another recruit in the person of Julia M. Blessed Gabriel . ' St. Bonaventure's has sent out no less than friendship . Maura Kennedy writes a nice letter of thanks and extracts from the letters of her comrades ; so you see the Guild-and two have gone to the Novitiate of the Christian G. McDonald , James Wall and James O'N. Murphy . Guild , and where there is great and wonderful devotion to path on which they have set their feet , and I am sure they them being P. J. Kennedy , whose name is not unknown in the Hickey , Cyril Kenny , Tom Harris , James Lee , Charlie Ryall , prize book , which she values very highly . I am very , very to be an active recruiting sergeant for us . The Guild would John's . Newfoundland , where a keen interest is taken in the welcome to our midst . Mary Rennie does not wish to be Duffy . Willie Halley , James Daly , Gerald Eagan , Gerard D'Aruv. of Phibsboro ' , Dublin , comes to us for the first as members of the Guild : James McGrath , Shannon Clift , is --- Page 22 --- one side only of the paper . They must be sent so as to members of the Guild a happy Christmas . All compositions must be certified by some responsible reach the office of THE Cross not later than December 14th. vers of a family ) and essays and letters must be written on n this issue ( one coupon will be sufficient for all the mem- the prize is awarded to Maureen O'Brien , must have attached to them the coupon which will be found on " The Old Year and the New . ' on " What I mean to do for the Guild in the New Year . ' mount Avenue , Drumcondra . Dublin . brilliant eyes . The road lay very silent . It knew that its destiny had been fulfilled : for 16 Park View Avenue . Harold's Cross . All letters to be addressed-Francis , c/0 The Cross , St. was a joy to await , but it was Christmas night that made its glory . There Those who came nearest to the prize win- mountain-path wished that it were brilliant summer , so that those bushes ner were Maureen O'Brien , Kathleen Paul's Retreat , Mount Argus , Dublin . A Handsome Book Prize will be given for the best Letter me another in melodious joy and to gaze down upon yonder rough cave with The long . white road that led. up hill and down date . to Bethlehem was Letter to Francis , wishing him and all the The next competitions . awarded to Julia M. Kennedy , 34 Mill- Dublin . Very nice letters were received Moran , Dick Lyons , Benedicta Kelly and Jerry Flynn . lent and still . It was the dark cold midnight hour . ' In the slor above the night be clothed in verdant beauty and fragrant with their large , bright Keep watches , glad and bright . " A Handsome Book Prize is offered for the best short essay I . For Members over 12 and under 18 years of age . Guild of Blessed Gabriel . wondering , happy stars crowded together in bright throngs to whisper to he holy three must journey over it from Bethlehem to Nazareth , and that Drawing . vere bushes and creeping-plants growing by its sides , and how much the his hour had it waited patiently and humbly through long years . To-night " Clear in the vaulted darkness of the sky , II . For Members under 12 years of age . The first sweet Christmas Night , Competition . quinin . ' erson as being the unaided work of the competitors . The Maurice Quinlan , Maisie Burke and Bernard The prize for " The First Christmas . " from Walter Maguire , Maisie Burke , Molly Ryan , Annie Great stars , like Angel sentinels on high , Members . prize essay . under 12 . Murphy , the best drawing of a Christmas Tree is For the best Maguire , Maisie Burke , Molly Ryan , Ar 350 --- Page 23 --- winter night . Christmas . the advent of the Saviour . plurry sprays also and the world was kissed by the beauty of the shows for There was a ' soft , silvery light , which came from no earthly lamp . St. Joseph the fairest" Flower of all , for Christ , the Redeemer , was truly born . even their warm hay-scented breath to make atonement for the coldness of the How beautiful He was ! . It was no wonder that the humble road to to God on high for this feast of reconciliation , peace and love ; for the first joy , because it had been elected as ' His path to the town of His Nativity . ' aided cross . mollie Joyce . oster-Father had passed along ; Bethlehem's road was lost in happiness . regretted it too , so are the holy Travellers had yet arrived , the angels came , heaven , should have gazed from every hook and corner of earth to behold with the gold and purple blooms that had suddenly burst forth to welcome Blessed Mother chanted a lullaby to the Babe of Bethlehem . But after a time The Hour had come and gone . ' . The Queen of Heaven and the Blessed quiet , watchful animals . They had given him their humble hospitality and in that dim stable with so gentle a ray . It shone upon the dull rocky walls mantle of lightest , purest white . The leafless branches of the trees bore the sighing of the icy winds without . The Babe in Mary's arms trembled in blossoms . How bitterly it regretted the sharp stones upon its surface , the the midnight cold and the scarlet blossoms of the fields were mingled now drous cavern , that the road was happiest . For it could see within the cave . was no wonder that the angels should have least from every pinnacle of But it was further on , where it wound up the hill and crept by yonder worn- having been extinguished in reverence to the Light of Light that stone bearing great clouds and gently cast over the road , hills and countryside , a around , upon the rapt faces of Mary and Joseph , and it touched tenderly the the most wonderful Infant Jesus . ' Low and clear , ' the angels with . ' Bethlehem should be without singing the old earth's deep song of deeper their exquisite music ceased and the Holy Stable was silent once more , save ! . wearisome twists that had been given to its course . God's blessed angels t clouds and gently cast over the road . hills and countryside , a extinguished in reverence to the Light of Light , that stone In Thanksgiving , etc. members of the Congregation of the Passion . his intercession . intercession . loving intercession . forwarded to the Postulator at Rome . uses of the Cause of Gemma Galganf , in thanksgiving for favours received and promoters participate in the benefit of four hundred and thirty-four Masses , of the Cause of Gemma Galgani , and half-crown towards those of the The Students of the Preliminary Grade , St. Bonaventure's College , St. acknowledged in these pages . his Canonization , in thanksgiving for favour received through his impression . Little Flower , in grateful thanksgiving for favours received through their through her intercession . Gemma Galgani and favours received through their intercession will be gladly cession during the past year . Very specially do they wish to acknowledge TO OUR PROMOTERS . In answer to inquiries made from time to time Mrs. Walsh ( Harold's Cross , Dublin ) sends five shillines towards the ex- their success " at the recent C.H.E. examinations and attribute it all to his ization of Blessed Gabriel , in thanksgiving for a great favour received through Miss O'B. ( Churchtown ) sends ten shillings towards expenses of the Canon- The above donations , for which we are sincerely grateful , will be duly well as in the prayers , penances and good works performed daily by all the John's , Newfoundland , return most gratefully their thanks to Blessed Gabriel , the patron of their class-room , for many favours received through his inter- E. Nally ( Harold's Cross , Dublin ) sends five shillings towards the expenses pecially offered every year for benefactors by the Fathers of this Province , as Contributions towards the expenses of the Causes of Blessed Gabriel and i Blessed Gabriel sends two-and-sixpence towards the expenses of pundland , return most gratefully their thanks to Blessed Gabriel . re think it well to let supporters of this magazine know that all our supporters at the recent C.H.E. examinations and attribute it all to his 10 OUR PROMOTERS . In answer to inquiries made from time to time