had entirely lost the power of articulation; that up to the morning of the 1st instant she continued in this deprolable state, without any symptom of amendment, and apparently beyond the reach of human aid; that on a certain hour that morning, as had been settled by previous arrangement, she united her devotion, as did also her numerous friends, with the holy sacrifice of the mass, which was to be offered by Alexander, prince of Hohenlohe, in the hope of obtaining immediately from God that relief which no human means could afford; that with this view, she received, though with much difficulty, the divine communion at the mass, which was celebrated at the same hour in her chamber for her recovery: that, mass being ended, and no cure as yet affected, she was in the act of resigning herself, with perfect submission, to the will of God, when instantly she felt a power of a movement and a capability of speech; that she exclaimed with an animated voice, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts!" raised herself without assistance, to offer, on bended knees, the tribute of her gratitude to heaven; called for her attire, left that bed to which she had been for so many months, as it were, fastened; walked to the convent chapel with a firm step, and there, in the presence of the community and congregation, joined her religious sisters in the solemn thanksgiving which was offered up to God, for this wonderful interposition of his goodness. As soon as this statement reached us, we felt it a sacred duty to examine the grounds on which it was made. We hastened, therefore, to the spot, to investigate the circumstances of this astonishing cure. We found the late invalid seated in the parlour, surrounded by her friends? She arose, she knelt, she resumed her seat, she detailed the history of her sufferings and her cure, as they have been just related. Her companions and attendants, who had assisted her in her infirmity, and watched so long over her bed of languishing, confirmed this account in all its details, which could not fail, even then, to produce on our mind the clearest conviction, that the restoration of the said Mary Stuart to the state of health in which we saw her was beyond the reach of human power. Still aware of the great responsibility which we should incur, by pledging ourselves to you, beloved brethren, and to the world, for the existence of a fact so truly wonderful, we paused before we should give public utterance to our private conviction on so important a subject. We returned to the convent, after an interval of several days; we subjected all the circumstances of this extraordinary case to a new and rigid inquiry; we collected information on the spot, from every source within our reach: we weighed it in the presence of the God of truth; we called in to our aid the wisdom and intelligence of our reverend brethren, the Roman Catholic clergy of this city, and we have the consolation of knowing, that our judgment is supported by their unanimous opinion, when we declare, as we do hereby declare, on what appears to us the most unquestionable evidence, that the cure which was effected in the person of the said Mary Stuart, on the 1st of August instant, is the effect of a supernatural agency—an effect which we cannot contemplate, without feeling in our inmost soul an irresistible conviction, that "this is the finger of God." We do not, however, expect that this new and splendid wonder of the divine goodness, clothed as it is with such a mass of evidence, will awe into silence the cavils of the sceptic. The miracles of our blessed Redeemer himself were contradicted, and "the servant is not greater than his Lord." Incredulity may seek to cast the veil of doubt over the glory which redounds to God and his church, from the exercise of miraculous powers; but the true believers will find therein a copious subject of consolation, a new link to bind him, if possible, more closely to his divinely-attested religion--a new proof of the everwatchful care of God over us-a new motive to walk with reverence in the awful presence of Him who works such wonders in the midst of us-a new incentive to address this gracious Being in every want with unbounded confidence. Perhaps this may be among the means of mercy, whereby God wishes to effect the gracious purpose mentioned in his gospel-" Other sheep I have, that are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be made one fold and one shepherd." Perhaps the voice of these facts issuing from the bosom of his sanctuary, and publishing the glory of God with the loudness of thunder, may strike upon the ears and hearts of many to whom the voice of our ministry could not reach. Who knows how many of our dear brethren, who are wandering from this " one fold," may be thus conducted back to venerate that holy Mass, on which the hand of the Omnipotent has impressed, in such effulgent characters, the attestation of its sanctity. Peace be to you, brethren, and charity with faith from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ.-Amen. DANIEL MURRAY, D.D. &c. Dublin, 15th August, 1823. EE HEEEE To the EDITOR of the CATHOLIC MISCELLANY. SIR,-In perusing your Magazine of July, I find you claim to yourself a spirit of truth; now I shall take it as a favour if you will insert in your valuable Magazine the following questions, as I have no doubt many of your readers are well studied in divinity, and would truly explain them to me. 1st. I should wish to know what is the light spoken of in the first chapter of Genesis, in the first day's creation, when the sun, the fountain of material light, was not made till the fourth day? 2nd. As the firmament divided thewaters in the midst, one half remaining upon the earth, and the other half above the firmament, what are the use of the waters above, as all things remain as they were created? 3d. In the 20th verse of the 1st chapter, it is stated that God created fowls from the water to fly in the open firmament of heaven, and in the 2nd chapter it is said that God created the fowl from the ground. How is this to be understood? 4th. I have been informed that the serpent was a reptile, and if so, why are the denunciations of God against the serpent, who is unavoidably made the instrument, and not against the agent who is said to act? Others say it is the devil in the shape of a serpent; if so, and the devil be a spirit, what need is there of local motion? or, as a spirit, what need is there of subsistence on corporeal food; and, as a spirit cannot die, how is it possible that his egress should be out of the world? And SC 1 lastly, how am I to understand the seed or offspring of the serpent, which has the same purpose as the seed or offspring of the woman. An answer to the above question from some of your numerous readers will oblige, sir, your's sincerely, AN ENQUIRER AFTER TRUTH. Poetry. LINES ON MISS JERNINGHAM'S MARRIAGE. Written at Cossey. OH! weep for the pride of the valley! she's flown Yet, why should we sully that day with a tear Which for her whom we love, dawns with hope and delight: Sweet Lady! whenever we think on thy form 'Twill glide round us as now, silent blessings to shed, In the full pride of maidenly beauty, so warm Yet so pure, that the snow scarce was marked by thy tread Oh! how should we paint thee a wife and a mother? No, it only can be the dear bliss of another To feel all thy love, and to know all thy worth. But should we still remember thee, Bride as thou art, Then we'll picture thee thus, and whenever we hear Of regret, yet of pride, here was nurtured her youth. And thou wilt not forget us-thou'lt think on that spot Then dear Lady, farewell! may the land of thy love M. EEEEE EE MONTHLY INTELLIGENCEr ON Sunday, July 27th, the right rev. Dr. Milner, vicar apostolic of the Midland district, visited the city of Norwich. As early as eight o'clock in the morning the venerable and right rev. prelate proceeded to the chapel in St. Swithin's, and confirmed 71 persons of the rev. Mr. Carr's congregration. At half past ten o'clock his lordship commenced a grand pontifical high mass at the chapel in St. John's, assisted by the rev. Messrs. Strongitharm, Carr and Foley, with acolytes, &c. &c. The choir was accompanied by Mr. James Taylor, on the organ, the principal solos were by Mr. Joslin in an excellent style and the choruses were well filled. The mass being ended, the venerable bishop, seated in a chair before the altar, addressed those who were about to be confirmed, pointing out the duty which was imposed on all men to worship God in spirit and in truth, and in the choice of their religion to be guided neither by interest, passion, nor prejudice. His lordship then in a few short arguments proved the truth of the Catholic religion and concluded by explaining the nature of the sacrament of confirmation. He then proceeded to administer the holy sacrament to 70 persons of the rev. Mr. Strongitharm's congregation. His lordship then exhorted the newly confirm ed to bear in mind that they had enrolled themselves under the banners of the cross and become soldiers of Jesus Christ, that they must uphold the sacred character they had received, and by meekness, forbearance, love, faith, charity, and the exercise of every christian virtue, show themselves worthy of the heavenly rewards offered by our Redeemer to all those who faithfully persevere to the end in his service. In the afternoon, the venerable bishop proceeded to the chapel of Sir George Jerningham, at Cossey-hall, where, after vespers, he confirmed 45 persons of the rev. F. C. Husenbeth's congregation. It is worthy of observation that both at Norwich and at Cossey, the major part of those confirmed were of the middle and some old age, converts to the one, holy, catholic and apostolic faith. ANNIVERSARY OF THE OPENING OF THE NEW CATHOLIC CHAPEL IN MOORFIELDS. On Sunday the 17th inst. being within the octave of the feast of the -Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom this chapel is dedicated, a solemn, musical, and grand pontifical high mass was celebrated by the right rev. Dr. Bramston, assisted by the rev. Mr. Tuite, as archdeacon; |