Cross Bulletin September 1916

--- Page 1 --- Miscellaneous . longer deceived by cheap platform oratory about other commission at the threatened " settlement " by the nightmare of Martial Law upon us no one is likely w. wined . Fortunately the loss to Ireland has been with a set the Government that engineered it shows how little In additional chanter has been added to the long recovery " Scrans of paper " are the order of the day . Few in " he which we were in danger of forgetting . With this any very our English rulers' counts where Ireland is worn and regret the dropping of the Partition proposals , but shame sick # # is likely to be --- Page 2 --- " scraps of paper " and the " rights of small nationalities . " could be given to that " Campaign of Hate " which , as Sir the prospect of better wages . to migrate to England and inquiries ! But now that Parliament has adjourned , most of ill thing if we turned our attention to bettering the instruction that they left their homes to earn for themselves and their Ireland , and have found no difficulty in getting sufficiently broken with the usual wanton cynicism . Many of these men lucrative employment . No harm will come of all this if the militarism . " If these press-gang methods do not represent look to other countries for their living . And no better answer now given us so far as to support our own industries , our brought into the light of public opinion . The present war not apply to these men . It was on the faith of that promise definition of hypocis . To make matters worse , numbers of militarism in its worst form . ' then there must be some new were forced into the army against their will , many more were Scotland for work on farms and in nutrition factories . A the dupes who were so callously " shanghaied " must remain netices and advertisements in newspapers , and of course by to the Press , is being waged against us in England , than a campaign of enlightened citizenship amongst ourselves in- Roger Casement . And it was not merely the mob in the the appalling savagery of the London mob who cheered the enthusiasm . There would be less need for our people to cotting is a game at which two can play , and we in Ireland have become rather expert at it . We are unfortunately , both tolling of the death-bell that announced the execution of Sir A few cases were brought to the notice of Parliament and without even the poor consolation of having their plight of Irish labourers have been induced by Labour Exchange to use it unless in extreme cases . But it would not be an was undertaken , we have been told , chiefly to " crush German But there is worse than this . For months past large numbers and indeed the heart of every civilized being , on hearing of thrown into jail as deserters under the Military Service Act . successfully evaded the Military Service Act by coming to more promises were given in some of them-to make bids them to earn in their own land . The promise was of these labourers in England have been subjected . Boy- right honourables " that the Military Service Act would We saw nothing of the insolent boycotting to which some spired by that charity which begins at home . and devote their energies to else out a livelihood and better Horror and disgust must have filled every Irish heart . their condition in their own country . own Press , our own home products of all kinds with a new Englishmen without a drop of Irish blood in their veins have distinct promise was given by the Premier and his fellow families " the livelihood which English misgovernment for- Thomas Esmonde has lately reminded the public in a letter obvious moral is taken to heart , and Irishmen stay at home --- Page 3 --- provhood a father's influence had been missing , passing thence say un-Christian , views on scientific subjects , had lost the William and all the others saw it's hopeless ? ' The young man's face was set , and in the dim light his presided over by a non-Catholic mother and where since his orbearance , as though arguing with a child . pulling himself together he spoke with a sort of studied Ralph , passive from a non-Catholic school . from a home of the gates of Dr. Stanley's famous private asylum , to a London school of medicine famed for its advanced , not to science announces her incurable . ' The discordant sound he made was scarcely a laugh . The Torch of Faith . tightly clenched hands . " I don't think it . Ralph , I know it . ' sent her this affiction , may cure her , even though human of blank amazement to his aunt . Ralph gave vent to a sharp exclamation of impatience . then HERE were two occupants of the taxi that turned out ter companion turned upon her . The doctors all agree that my mother is hopelessly your mother if He wills . ' really unhappy . ' same when I explained the case to him . And then you say are so feeble . But possible , certainly . ' returned Lady . an elderly lady and a keen-faced young man . sane . Her brain is affected in such a way that nothing can only hope , poor dear . that with her mind a blank she is not we can only pray ! ' gently , " but I repeat we can only pray that God , who has She spoke quietly , but inwardly she was quaking at the confirmation of the fears that for months past had been haunting her . unt could see how the knuckles stood out whitely on his doctor Stanley says its hopeless . Sir William told me the " But . Aunt Anne . don't you understand ? It is a hopeless And it's hopeless , " he said , dully . cure it . ' I quite understand , Ralph , " replied Lady Needham , That you really think God could cure But . Ralph , " expostulated his aunt , " Aunt Anne , you don't mean that ! ' " Mean what ? " asked Lady Needham . for our prayers . " We can only pray . " said Lady Needham , but quickly He turned a face . Lady Needham laid her hand on her eedham steadily . " I don't say it is likely , My poor boy . ' s arm . " It is an awful trial , awful . One can " Pray , " he said angrily . " What is the use of praying ? " Hopeless . " " My poor boy . Lady Needham laid her hand on her But , Ralph . " expostulated his aunt , " God can cure her when Sir companion's arm . ' It is an awful trial , awful . One ca insane . quaking at the Needham , but quickly Pray , " he said angrily . loss . 132 . --- Page 4 --- It was useless to tell Sir Derick of the state of the case . He creed , he had gone still further . ' In losing the truth he had Only Lady Needham and the chaplain spoke together of the tragedy of this young man's loss , pitying him more than nephew's enthusiasm over the latest medical and scientific faith . Only one spark of consolation did Lady Needham Divine Presence no longer had any significance to him . They her own sons , and that was a promise that he gave her , if impossibility , but when Sir. Derick's younger brother had other Catholic in England . That a Needham of Hanly married a Protestant he had imperilled this impossibility , never disowns her penitent children , and , furthermore , that were outward signs , but of meaning they held none to him . and now , though Ralph Needham's son had adopted no other pressed his own regret at his inability to believe what he re- of the one , holy , Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church . receive from this boy , who was but little less dear to her than when there was a price on the head of its owner , and of every cognised as very fine and very consoling to those who had the lost everything . His mother , before she had gone out of her old priest whom he had known since his boyhood , Ralph ex- at Hanly , the Mass and Benediction , the Sacraments , the to his uncle's house , to bid them goodbye before taking up a ime to the conversation , but Ralph was returning that night mind , had been a conscientious Protestant . " Her son , ar- was an old man , choleric and with as little patience for his hidine hole . Its private chapel , and its traditions of the past Needham had lost . His words showed that it was his faith return at once to the Catholic Church , as to a mother who The arrival of the motor at the station put an end for the re would say daily wherever he might be a form of words , a He was not proud of the fact . He was not representative It was not only his faith in the Catholic religion that Ralph post abroad , that as one of the cleverest students of the year an atheist . His God-if he had one was Reason . For he discoveries as he would have had for any doubts of the truth in his hospital he had been able to secure . raigned by his aunt before his departure , stood confessed - ever he could honestly say again , that he believed he would the cross . had allowed to weaken , and now it was dead . blaming him ; and very openly , both to his aunt and to the should belong to any but the old religion seemed almost an have mercy upon me . ' Hany Hall was an old Catholic home , with its priest's to God's power He can be no longer God . the Needhams of Hanly where his wonderians had in the very existence of God Himself , for if you put a limit n fact he owned to a regret that the ceremonies he witnessed prayer , call it what you will , " Oh God , if there is a God . had lost the Heaven-sent gift of Faith . faith which had been his birthright but which his upbringing Then for a term of years only letters at land intervals told 10s . --- Page 5 --- not yet touched him : he was swallowed up in wonder at the her . ' The cruel pangs of loss that would be his later on had for years had been to him merely a phenomena of nature , the Then the other couple , drawing near , freed him from the she knew that she had achieved her purpose of silencing him . peace in eyes that stone like hers . All through the short saving there was no God . how could a girl like General contemplated possible , that lit such light of happiness and realised that the beautiful Irish Catholic girl was reserved hose who followed her . What a fool he had been not to have If , in his years of ignorance and pride , he had been right in slowly he went over every day . every hour . that he had known shall have a chance of comparing , for when I get to London I with a sudden overwhelming knowledge , he saw that by his to my mind not to be compared to the London balls , on which She had never encouraged him . Never encouraged any of lappy made him realise how utterly beyond and above him The thought had barely taken shape within his brain when . I suppose you will be embarking next week . ' standing as they stood together - and the girl of that other am going to be a nun . ' she was . " I thought at first that people knew - " music died away : the lights went out : under God's sky that ( Further forward on the deck another couple were o be a nun . to give up , of choice , money , position , earthly love , his ever be drawn down by the raised eyes of his companion . the cross . easured , and though she did not guess the pain it covered . own thought he had recognised the existence , the supremacy couple laughed . ' You did not know I was coming home to be a nun . ' Not to be compared . I am sure , " she said , " not that I croke the silence . " for God's sake . summer night he never ceased his pacing of the deck . The scant as had been his Catholic teaching , he knew what it was The love of God . sides of the ship . Downstairs the music went ceaselessly Ralph noted all these things , subconsciously . Then he let and I have enjoyed it for my last dance . ' The waves came with soft swishing sounds against the ' It is a lovely night . " she said . " such a lovely night , e said , and a wonderful light , wistful perhaps , yet wholly " Only the last by sea . " suggested Ralph . " but certainly or something better even than earthly love . companionship that had suddenly become intolerable to him . " No , I did not know . " Ralph's voice was hopeless and She did not look at him , but shook her head gently . a sudden unerving intuition that he was about to speak , she O'Shaughnessy's daughter give up the world for nothing ? Ralph Needham was standing silently beside her , and with greatness of the love that made a sacrifice such as that she od . ' Something better . What was that better thing ? --- Page 6 --- dual : " Ladies and gentlemen , with your very kind attention of activity than aimless street-parading or a would-be serious the land turns out merry and melodious music , all ending up of a show , but it kills a couple of hours nicely . " This , congratulatory approval . " They blandly tell you what they've actions but serves to bring back a feeling almost of self- acrobats " - eccentric being here the same thing as senseless and variety there is in insanity . " From " eccentric and burlesque what the latter really is . Next comes a " leading soprano " study of shop-windows . ' There is a train to be caught , a kome and your whiskers turn white while the best band in hun-hunnymoon ! Then out glides the wide-sleeved indivi- indeed , sums up a good percentage of current comment on to warble much nonsense about waiting till your canoe comes as it were . kill them into utter inaction , but with those who tainment is a humbug , but it provides a more definite want formances in particular . In other words , the alleged enter- the given or enlightening to the recipient . They have suc- won't guarantee that the reply will be either flattering to has to be killed . It might be utilised usefully , of course - " Variety " is the key-note , and it is wonderful how much the one species of " murderer " to whom recollection of their sense baby savages who expend their aimless energies along the line of least or of no resistance at all . They constitute The Amusement of the present-day amusements in general and on music-hall per- we all know that-but we have got into the habit of killing it initiative nor the ability to kill anything else , being in a with the announcement that you are going off on your hun- to a " daintv comedienne . " though I have never discovered We are not so much concerned with the people who let time , and lot there remains the intervening space of time which ceeded in killing time , and at least expect that you to whom good luck . Ask whence the necessity to kill time at all , and will receive it gracefully . being doing , and expect you to put them on the back for their Well , " says many a member of this species , " it's not much cynical commentator , because they have neither the meal to be negotiated , or sleep to be sought at a certain hour , burlesque , another word for vulgar-you are switched along -and killed it must be . have found a method of their own for stopping the gaps . You may your money , enter , and sit out the programme . Time-Killer . they have given the latest successful recipe for the operation HOSE people who kill time do so , according to one 138 . --- Page 7 --- wonderful the result often is . I have lately listened to a of horror for the purveyors of the class of entertainment which ing to people of even average intelligence is demanded when And all this from one of these productions which help to make that of " getting on " in her profession , was to be able to ment put it : " Yes , call it piffe if you will , but remember ment above those of the lowest form of illiterates . But the supposes no intelligence on their part and they line up out - thinking powers is not required-lightness is the key-note and produced that they may be read in the hour when one wishes she fancied one particular breed any more than another ! that I once tried to produce elevating plays , and just managed the public and they go back to the habits of their youth and behind . I took up one of these monthies lately , and found she missed a great opportunity - was ' unable to declare that audience of average intelligence who have ideas of amuse- it was : " Oh , but he gets timing , you know - you cannot fully the object of the reader is merely to forget the present sur- supply a method of whiling away that dreaded couple of hours , educate or enlighten , for they are blatantly and unashamedly alive to the fact that much nonsense and little matter appeal - covered that she was very fond of dogs , but - here I thought that its leading contribution was from some chorus lady or drive a car herself . Breathless , I read on , and soon dis- side more eye-strain than entertainment - at least that has for reading matter which does not even leave a memory following even the most abstruse of the performers . Yet it any measure of popularity with an Irish audience , with an that interval which had to be " killed " some way or other . motoring in fact her chief ambition , apart of course from pointed at him , one may be unable to feel any great measure different are among the regular patrons of amusements where that the present-day " popular " English magazines either roundings . Reading which calls for any exercise of the killers . Certainly the majority of cinema performances pro- the public will pay for . As the proprietor of one establish- millionaires of their proprietors . The magazines seem keenly to dodge the Bankruptcy Court by inches . Try to educate inimportant item - and there is no pretence about difficulty in been my experience , though I may be an exception - yet they other . It informed the reader that the lady was very fond of fact remains that people of whom one would expect something play truant from you ; give them the kind of stuff which pre- criticism of one of the best English novelists , and the gist of ollow him unless you read his books closely and slowly , and is not easy to reconcile the nature of the performance with And the music-hall is but one item on the long list of time - phrase runs . Performances usually start punctually - a not much buffoonery , more inanity , and very little clean fun are who wants to read a novel slowly ? " Surely even their publishers cannot suffer from the delusion the order . Without the fear of having the finger of scorn justly THE AMUSEMENT OF THE TIME-KILLEN . " --- Page 8 --- 1.40 . looked at the crowded work-basket with disapproval the last gage safely in . ' Are we really off now ? O' Bobbie , what a shrill whistle ! ' velled more than half the distance . Yes , I have changed plat- A Spring of Heather . nearly at our journey's end . The air is so fresh . I can smell time she paid a visit to the nursery . Perhaps Miss Smithson forms - you must pretend that , Bobbie - I can't keep getting Oh , to Mooredge my old home , you know , Bobbie , that I told you about , where there are miles and miles of heather and You see , I have already taken my seat . Please put my lug- No , you can't both drive the engine . Dick must be stoker . gested the game . It'dmitted of sitting still to finish Dick's the wind is always blowing . Yes , first-class ticket , of course . given to fancying , but like more things this had its compen- overall . She had fancied that the children's mother had Change here for Mooredge ! Why , how quickly we have tra- you cannot find it . ' You can let me buy another - ' with the It was the little nursery governess herself who had sug- sations . the heather , big , purple hills of it , and the gorge in full bloom . would have found life easier if she had not been quite so much aid afterwards it had been thundering , but such extent T had been raining since lessons were over . Some one lavish probability of make-believe . ' . Ah ! I can tell we are disturbances are easily out-clamoured in nursery-land . " Where would you like us to take you . Miss Smithson ? " How drowsy the air makes one feel ... . up . My ticket is somewhere in the basket . Never mind if given to fancying , but like more things this had its compens- on see , I have already taken my seat . Please put my ing . horizons like the sunlit hopes of children . On the platform her on the moorlands , with their glorious gifts of life and health he could see the sunlight streaming through the soft blue mist happy reality . The train was bearing her onward and onward , already a spring of heather in her hand . One of her cousins Now she was herself again , accountable to none , under no gery windows that had so long hemmed her in . There was further and further away from the four walls and barred mur- could it be that she was going home at last ! . The gar obligation save to repay the wages of love in like coin . over wide spaces of waving heather , reaching to the farthest had sent it from home as an earnest of the treasures awaiting who had been to her as sisters . She had hardly dared to hope e train had stopped , and beyond the little wayside station dom for mind and body if only she would have them . rad played at , that afternoon , was surely turning into the e dear aunt who had brought her up and the cousins --- Page 9 --- view of the foreseen infinite merits of that Son that sir's he had seen Christ of the Lord . " With happy expectancy that suffering was her love for and compassion for her Son , overflowing with gratitude to God holy Simeon feasted his heart of the young mother - " Behold this child is set for taint had never obscured the peerless beauty of her soul , and of the Redeemer had opened its portals for him . So he which bound that Immaculate Mother to her Divine Child : " more dimittis . " and , obeving the Divine Will , delivered the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel , and for a him in perfection endowed with a susceptibility to suffering features - His Blessed Mother-who approached nearest to her Redeemer and her God . Many , indeed , were the ties our redemption , and who at the Annunciation had given full brought the Divine Infant to the holy place . With a heart that she stood out unique amongst her kind . Further to the shall pierce . " She who willingly co-operated in the work of his heart longest for the " consolation of Israel . " When the aged eyes on the promised Messiah and gently took his pre- and free consent to bear her full share of the sacrifice which naturally is bound to her child . She knew that it was in According to the custom of the law , Mary and Joseph had for Simeon , and now his fondest wish was gratified ; he was had fateful message which brought untold sorrow to the had whispered to him " that he should not see death before ripe for Heaven , and there he was ready to go when the merits sign which shall be contradicted . And they own soul a sword not waver in the fulfilment of the great purpose for which proportionately capable of suffering in this He was not like asked the Lord for his dismissal from this life-song his There were those marvellous instincts by which the mother the rest of men-so also was the most perfect of God's she had been specially fashioned by the hand of God . ' It was , it entitled - " Be it done unto me according to thy word " appointed hour came he was led by the Spirit into the temple great joy awaited him even upon this earth ; an unerving voice just as the perfection of the Humanity of Christ made Him temple precincts . When the warning came that the life of though the prophecy brought a great sorrow to her heart , did to her the revelation of that living martyrdom that awaited letter was the prophetic message delivered to her within the which no one else could lay claim to . And the great cause of cious burden in his arms . Earth never had any attraction A only vividly the hope of the venerable man that a " JUST and devout " life was his , but advancing years Our Lady of Sorrows . her . --- Page 10 --- said procession and of the ultimate sight of " the most beauti- burden of the Cross . She follows Him to the hilltop and who exulted in their foul work - the decides whose obduracy death and healing the afflicted , an ungrateful race cry out Son of God had left no instructions for His burial . As a ful of the Sons of men " totering on the war under the the friends of the dead Christ could carry out the observes arrangements , and obtained the concession from Pilate that ment of the Sacred Body to the tomb . In His humility the Divine Son pleading with all the love of His Sacred Heart His bones . His own sutterings . His awful sense of abandon- sacrifice to His Eternal Father , a bleeding victim for the sins more terrible or heartrending than the inhumanity of those for those who dug His Hands and Feet and numbered all of its God-the darkened heavens , the reading rocks-not the shores of the lake , calling some back from the shades of spices enclosed in the winding sheet . Then the funeral When the Sacrifice is Complete , the Sacred Side has been ment by Heaven and earth-succeed not in lessening His of Our Lord , and the holy women followed chanting the their hearts , Mary . His Mother , is a silent witness of that His disciples , secretly busied themselves with the funeral The Sacred Body was shrouded in linen , and the customary in Egypt . But the accomplishment of that perilous and themselves with the preparations necessary for the consign- no choice in the matter . Joseph and Nicodemus , who were cious legacy . to the care of the disciple whom He loved . she stands beneath the Cross whilst He offers himself in parations are made for the funeral . ' At that funeral she is the people are startled by strange annotations - and amidst this weird scene the Sorrowful Virgin hears the voice of Her by right the chief mourner . A few faithful friends busy reverently receives the mangled Body in her arms and pre- Mother walked nearest to the bier . Magdalen , the relatives burning desert sands that lay between her and a safe refuge the temple , in the towns , villages , on the hillsides and by timself in " doing good " for the people , teaching them in and many things were to happen before the last stage of that union with His in suffering . He becomes her , as a pre- milestones of the via dolorosa . Much was to be endured days' stress and agony when she sought for her lost Child When her Son had grown to manhood , and had married in the streets of the holy city . of men . She is a witness of nature's convulsions at the death the Divine Child was in danger she hesitated not to face the procession wended its way to the tomb . The sorrowful journey was accomplished . ' Awaiting her was that three was harder even than the rocks . Mocking voices fill the air , rearisme journey was but the passing of one of the several for his crucifixion and drive Him out of the city and out of ierced , and the last drop of the Precious Blood shed , she sequel to His ignominious death . He knew that the law left the cross . solicitude for the sorrowful Mother whose pure heart is in saks . 1961 62m. --- Page 11 --- essness , without beginning , and without limit . The horizon , guardian genii whom the owner of the ring desired to provide . would be looked upon as one of the sure and speedy ways of ceived , everywhere in circles . Everywhere was the same end- securing the planet's influence in favour of the ring's wearer . ring " there lurks . if we would but think , some shadow of the for instance , was literally a gigantic ring , figuring , in the real religious symbols-links which he felt it beloved him to lay coiled around Midgaard its world inhabited by men , fore the setting of the " planetary stone " in a finger-ring Astrology connected certain precious stones " with certain him . Around him the Almighty Hand had drawn , he per- metal suited to resist the wear and tear of time , were for him midway between the abode of the gods and the underworld . There is a story of Apollonius of Tvana that he wore on each and openly . We know that the crude finger-circlets which emblems of eternity , and so as natural pledges of the most primitive man fashioned for himself out of iron . or any other forge between himself and the great realities he saw around whether exchanged between human lovers or between the but the elemental spirits that inhabited eternity , the various day of the week a ring containing a different stone , each This simplicity of symbolism was gradually elaborated . mythology of the Norsemen , as a stipendous serpent , which significance of the custom . Yet , in the most frivolous " dress- The jewelled , chased and inscribed rings that became such Ancient Gothic rings were representations of this serpent-its vearing many finger-rings , with no thought but for their corresponding to the planet to whom the day was dedicated and prettiness or commercial value , tends to obscure the original dedicated soul and the Heavenly Bridegroom . " The fashion of tical office and holy wedlock express , as it were , substantially deeper meaning which the rings of religious vocation , ecclesias - association of a ring with the vows of undving love and faith - favourite wear were intended to represent , not only eternity . And pure as gold forever ! he wearing of them . " They have always been regarded as surrounding rings , and a mystic importance attached to planets and their supposed influences on human fate . ' There- ail thrust into its mouth to make the perfect circle . whose virtues he desired to secure . So let our love . Ring Lore . Is nowhere found . As endless prove , solemn and sacred bargains . ' As Herrick happily puts it- As this round There is assuredly something more than idle fancy in the To Haw . or else to sever , ' ROM the very earliest times we find a half of sanctity 148 --- Page 12 --- loyalty for the faith they dishonoured . But it needs not to rolling manure and other debris into a spherical shame , and they relied considerably on these rings as amulets , and means spirits . And so , in justice to the Gnostics , we must say that of the ring " - the elemental spirits which were summoned case , the legend of the ring of King Solomon , by which he pelling them to enter caskets or phials , sealed these vessels We have evidence of the devotion of Christian converts in with his great sight ring , and then cast them into the Red Sea . the troubled memory of pagan and heretic abuses faded , and their amulet-rings , they remembered Him-the Word by were engraved with figures of the dove . the ship , the anchor- obvious emblems of the Paraclete , the Church , and the Chris- of creative power . on account of the habit of this beetle of The virtue of this ring of Solomon was ascribed to its bearing model of it , in stone or enamel . The scarab was an emblem greatly distinguished for animal courage , it is probable that possible to uproot . Every Egyptian soldier wore a scarab- of re-assurance , so that they would have found it the more tion had its way , and many mediaeval rings are delightful they generally admired their slaves of the ring in the name of ring as part of his military equipment , and as the Egyptians Church treated the matter with her usual consideration and were not , so far as we can learn , a very militarist people , or difficult to resign them at the bidding of their new faith . The heathen meaning , were urged upon Christian converts . Kings Fathers to christianise a custom they found it well-nigh im- vonders which remind us of the Arabian stones of the " slaves upon it the name of God and symbolising His power over tian's hope in God . Perhaps the greatest favourite among To come to the use of rings in mediaeval Christendom . As biguous ring-symbols , which could not be taken to have a and always uncompromisingly condemned by the Church . the danger of relapsing into them became nil . devout imagine - cryptic symbols was the mystic fish - the five letters of whose God , and by archangels and saints . They had still a certain True Scarab ! " And little harm could be done if , looking upon whom the worlds were made . Nevertheless , simple , unam- sars that he called the geni from the four winds , and com- magic was ludicrous , where it was not actually blasphemous , obtained power to limit the activities of these spirits . Legend name in Greek stood for the initials of the five Greek words , carrying the globe thus made between its fore-pair of legs . Such simplicity was all the more important , because heresy when the ring was rubbed , and would obey the orders and carry importance to engraved gems set in rings , attributing to them Jesus Christ , God's Son , Saviour . the messages of its wearer . We remember , as bearing on the emulated heathenism . The Gnostics attached superstitious representations of the sacred scarab , or set with some rude the cross . say that this superstitious reliance on vines as instruments of tact . Christ , she reminded these waving disciples , was " the Egypt to these scarab-rings , in the repeated attempts of the In ancient Egypt finger-rings were usually engraved with Jesus Christ , God's Son , Saviour . --- Page 13 --- Passion . The rings were plain hoops of gold or silver , and Later it seems to have sufficed that the King ( the Norman , and was mysteriously restored to English pilgrims in the Holy prized it highly and looked at it with tearful eyes . Surely no oil . " The rings thus blessed were known , popularly , as camp- which would , in any temporal sense . be fit for their king , yet Land , who brought it to the King , declaring that they had seems to have been conveyed by contact with the sacred ring . they would not leave the event unnoticed and un-tokened . produced on the occasion of the marriage , when the ring would that might be told of pontifical rings . We conclude with a guess with what labour , they fashioned from them a little ring . Good Friday an illustration of the inherent sense that their they claimed , had been given to them by the sacred coronation The beautiful story of the ring of St. Edward the Confessor order of the Republic . They had no betrothal gift to make he ring , to which mystic healing powers had been attributed the third would be given to the witness of the betrothal . to be message , to Manuel . It is good to hear that the young king in his lifetime , was still sought after by sufferers . Then far from possessing St. Edward's holiness were yet held to virtues were in reality derived from the merits of Christ's possess the power of conferring healing virtues ; for this power , appropriate prayers were recited . For those who were very Portugal was announced , the news penetrated to the prisons ring . however costly and elaborately symbolic , could better property of the sufferers themselves . Originally this blessing years ago , when the betrothal of the young exiled King of rub the ring required to be blessed between his hands , while against the cramp . The usual day for hallway them was modern ring-story of pathetic human interest . Some few gradually arose the custom of blessing rings which were the scraped minute particles of the pewter ; secretly , and we may engraved it with the royal arms , and sent it , with a loyal Given by the royal saint in arms to an unknown beggar , it charm , had a practical usefulness as a means of identification . the cross . it is interesting to remember that they were made from the gold and silver money that the monarch , each Holy Week , so well known that it would be needless to recount it here . our paper , so that we omit , perforce , the many beautiful stories lovers . Sometimes there would be three circlets , and then where certain ardent and faithful Royalists were confined by Secretly , from their prison drinking-cups and spoons , they fulful the purpose of a ring-to keep the given in perpetual These were divided at betrothal , and one given to each of the offered in arms . The use of rings in ecclesiasticism is outside the scope of be again joined . The Gimmel , in addition to its romantic G. M. Horr. memory . rings , because they were thought to be specially efficacious received it from supernatural hands . After Edward's death later , successors of St. Edward kept up the practice ) should --- Page 14 --- THE CROSS . browns and wet greys of his misty winds , his " hill with The poppies keep the dew. Of mid-day wind , and meadows learn one way , And silent changes colour up the hedge . The woodbine lassoing the thorn , Lie the piper of Hamelin . Beside the broken water let me stay , vision has ever before it the old home and the little town , the While these old airs upon my memory play , The blackbird calls down the street , As the holy minds within . only for the first four lines : And a long whisper passes thro' the sedge , The laneway to the mill . Ere I the city knew . And its octagon spire toned smoothly down And when the sunny rain chips from the edge And laughing children coming down The dominant note with this poet is quite infinite aniet : I live again the sunny days ledwidge is away from his plane ( in lovely Meath ) , and his I saw the little quiet town , Half of him passion , half concert , The utmost quiet and simplicity , but so beautiful in that that loneliness too rare in these times of rush and fret-the very tranquility . And the whitewashed gables on the hill , Similarly " Behind the Closed Eve " appeals to me . Francis And scenes of old again are born , That wind around the tangled brass , And wondrous , impudently sweet . And dropping Ruth . ' like in the corn whitewashed walls and roofs of brown noticed . . You can see the little Irish village with the singing blackbird , and he says : I walk the infrequented ways . This unique smile for the " ordered mind " - the orthodox This poem should be followed by " The Sister , " exquisite beautiful blackbird : integrity of the worshippers - is quaint . There are seven verses , but two beauties must be as his pictures , his feelings , his fiction , his thoughts , all full of Then we get his especially . exquisite if the orthodox --- Page 15 --- is not yet reached , that he will hear the blackbird with a still he always is : " we are told he wrote since five years old but With stones at the gates , and jeers . A sad life below the depth of words . is true ; but with some of his works one feels that his maturity we may have more of the lovely months - his " August " and eyes of a yet greater soul and yet more tender heart . Fresh In the blue of a thousand years , finer ear and watch the " wind-looped flowers " and " Allies " frills , " and see the " spiders " hammocks swung " with the June " ( where we meet his loved woodbine again , this time As he stood ' death the groaning vane , bee-sucked " and " The hedges are all drowned in green . He sleeps with the age that knows him , And I'm wet and travel-sore . ' But away in the wilds of distance , And he turned from the bolted door . On the skirts of the windy rain . nature's ever-varying moods . In the city of the unborn dead , destroyed his work . When he returns to his beloved Slane etters ; but I think Francis L edwidge has echoes of Words- the cross . grassy seas " ) may be followed by still tovelier pictures of And now that you are lost I may pursue is surely one of those grievous cities that exist in the world of Like little shreds of crimson silk . We hope that these lovely poems are only a few petals from And they wait in the town for the poet Rest at his weary insteps , My only wealth is songs of love for you , Is it far to the town ? said the poet , Fame at his crumbled head . And the warm lights shammersd silver Irish poet has said : But nobody spoke from the shelter . us . Some will argue each poem is a flower in itself , and this he Celtic flowers he still means to scatter for us . Another Roses lie upon the grass Most critics are fond of comparing one poet of one theme of thought with another of completely opposite tendency . but this Meantime we must gather these up as treasures he has left You'd love me : but I own no roaming herds , worth . I thought so the other day when loving over again : " The Coming Poet " is very fine : there is a dramatic force There are those who call me . " he pleaded , perceptible , and it must be quoted in full : --- Page 16 --- probably have taken a quite different view if she had never joined us . But it must not quote from that portion of her letter , which is confidential . She O'Brien writes me to tell of a ceremony she witnessed lately-the ordination fashion is a new member whom I have to welcome this month , and who has lassidy , Agnes O'Hara , James O'Hara , Roseann O of having a Mass said for the repose of the souls of the Irish Volunteers who shows that the devotion to Blessed Gabriel is steadily progressing . ' Maureen Ireland , and I would wish that all my boys and girls should give it practical members , from whom I shall expect letters next month , viz. James Patrick Senior Competition is awarded to an English girl , help by applying themselves as far as possible to the study of Irish . I know to which , by the way , she herself has generously contributed ) ; which and James Joseph Hardy . John Cullen sends the names of eight new Mary Neill , Ned Kehoe , Peter Begley , and Thomas Fitzgerald . Josephine Evelyn McNamara , Lizzie Malone , and May Prendergast . Kathleen Hardy winner is Mary Rennie , 231 Robin's Lane , Sutton whose favourite poet is Wordsworth . The prize- of the language movement depends to a very great extent on the children of lready got a number of subscribers to " The Cross " and promises to bring that a great number of them are already doing this , and the letters I receive competitor , and so disqualified . offering of money subscribed by herself and some schoolfellows for the purpose ime to do some recruiting for us , and sends me the names of six new rates with pleasure too " the splendid increase in the numbers of the Guild ' St. James Street , Antrim Road , Belfast , and John which mention was omitted last month . ' Aine left for me at the Retreat an goes to Josephine Caslin , of 15 Mountjoy Square , to the priesthood of a friend of hers . And nice chatty letters come also from The mention of Aine reminds me to draw the attention of my children to in due time , a fine , and the Mass was celebrated without delay . distinctly good essays on Irish poets . the prize in one essay , which ran the prize-winner very closely , was unsigned by the member who brings five new recruits into the Guild . unciv. Annie Rogers , Christopher Walsh , Lizzie Bohana , Nellie Hoare died during Easter week and since . The offering reached the proper quarter membership of the Guild . M. Chorra , Evelyn McNamara , James Henry , and Notwithstanding some few members to the Guild . 2 . For Members under 12 years of age . essays coming next in order to hers were sent by I pretty badge , bearing the portrait of Blessed Gabriel , is awarded to the Cullen , 5 Staplestown Road , " Carlow . Henry and Josephine Dunne are commended , and This month the badge goes to Kathleen Hardy , a I have to acknowledge a very kind message from Aime Ni Raghnall , of Our Badge . their competition papers . asking to be admitted to please write a personal note to Francis , apart from Dublin . The letters or essays written by Patrick eiblis Service , Grainne The Prize-winners . All competition papers must be certified by some responsible person as being Members Under 12 . our next competition . Jane Sheridan . reflects great credit on the good work ' The Cross ' is doing , and also seem to indicate that the number will be greatly increased in the coming l-For Members over 12 and under 18 years of age . A handsome book prize is offered for the best drawing of a Michaelmas . winter . important . Daisy . Oak . St. Helen's . The A handsome book prize is offered for the best poem on " My Rosary . ' he unaided work of the competitor . They must have attached to them the All newcomers will . In the Junior Competition a newcomer is again the winner , and the prize nembers , who will also write for admission in accordance with the rules , at business and has not much time to spare : Nevertheless she found Editor's remarks on the Gaelic League in last month's issue . " The success tition a newcomer is again the winner , and the prize All newcomers will please write a personal note to Francis , apart from --- Page 17 --- worth's poetry has never really been generally popular . ' This is partly ret lines containing beautiful thoughts and exquisite harmony are to be found appreciative critic says of him : " He was the first man who impregnated all interest and dignity of modern times with the past , very much to the disad- timself to lovers of poetry by his beautiful poems in praise of nature . An common which will be found in this issue ( one copper will be sufficient for he members of a family ) , and must be written on one side only of the paper . fluence on the minds of men . Several of his passages illustrate another Westminster Bridge at sunrise gives a beautiful description of London as it look his degree without any special distinction , and leaving the university in describing the environs of the Lake District . Wordsworth then settled down e is also singularly deficient in any sense of humour . ' Wordsworth endears they must be sent so as to reach the Office of " The Cross " not later than revived this form of poetry , which had become extinct since Milton's time . nature is Wordsworth's most striking characteristic . He dwells on her in- ppears when the " city both , like a garment , wear the beauty of the of as the " Lake School , " not from any connection between their work and morning . " In the sunnet entitled " The World , " Wordsworth compares the Cockermouth in Cumberland . He was educated at Cambridge , where he In one of Wordsworth's sonnets the poet speaks with great admiration of the n 1830 , at Rydal Mount . After his death " The Prelude " was published , at Racedown in Somersetshire , together with his sister Dorothy , who was sunnet-writing Wordsworth has no superiors and very few equals . He "7at he went abroad . In 1793 his first poems were published , " Descriptive Soul-animating strains-alas , too few ! because his calm , philosophic tone does not appeal to every mind , and before Vordsworth was the centre of that brilliant group of writers so often spoken his descriptions of nature with sentiment and passion . " This attitude towards The greatest of nature's noets is William Wordsworth , who was born at characteristic , which is imagination . To employ his own words , which are of Gray , for he advanced September rate . All letters to be addressed : Francis , cjo " The Cross , " we can be appreciated a certain amount of mental preparation is necessary . its aims , but because they belonged to the same locality . Wordsworth died On Southey's death in 1842 Wordsworth became Poet Laureate . Words - such miserly propensities that in the pursuit of riches they will not allow always a sympathetic helper in his work . great successor , writes that he " uttered nothing base , " and his pure life is immediately an illustration , he does indeed to all thoughts and to all objects St. Paul's Retreat , Mount Argus , Dublin . in them , while some of his shorter poems " are beautiful throughout . In vantage of the former . He shows how the people of modern times possess Some of his finest sonnets are the descriptive ones . The one written on different poets of all nations who have used this form , ending with his Although Wordsworth's longer poems are apt to make one feel depressed . themselves time to appreciate the beauties of nature . famous tribute to Milton's sonnets : which had been written in 1865 . To Wordsworth may be applied the words The thing became a trumpet from whence he blew who care least for him can find no fault unless it be dullness . ' Tennyson , his The consecration and the poet's dream . Prize Essay . Add a gleam . Beyond the limits of a vulgar fate : Mary Rennie . effected in every poem . The light that never was on sea or land , retches , " referring to his tour in Switzerland , and " An Evening Walk , " With his purity of thought is united his simplicity of style , so that those In his hand . My Favourite Poet . Beneath the Good how far-but far above the Grave