Reminiscences and Impressions of a Visit to Rome, During the Canonization of the Japanese Martyrs - A Lecture Pronounced in Bryan Hall, Dec; 18th, 1862 #266808

I have been asked by some prominent gentlemen of this city to deliver a discourse for the relief of the poor among us, especially for the benefit of the widows and orphans, now, alas! In these disastrous days, likely to be more numerous than ever, and have not felt myself at liberty to decline; at the same time it was suggested that reminiscences and impres sions of my late visit to Rome, and particularly of the great solemnity in which I was so happy as to participate, would prove to be an acceptable topic to many. In the justice of this suggestion I could not but concur, for the grand ceremony in St. Peter's, on that memorable 8th of June, has not only a deep Spiritual significance and powerful attraction in itself, but, viewed as an ecclesiastical function, casts into the shade all the most gorgeous pageants of modern times. The very name, too, of Rome, has a magical influence, and bears with it an interest that can never wane; for what city can for a moment compare in attraction with the venerable capital, coeval with so many centuries, whose pavement has been trodden by so many generations, and from whose bosom have gone forth those sacred, mysterious influences which for so many centuries have swayed the minds and hearts of the civilized, yes, and even of the uncivilized world?