Punctually at 845 am, the service "commenced, the Delegate Apostolic, Celso Costantini, Archbishop of Theodosia, officiating, assisted by the Deacon and Subdeacon, while two other deacons attended at the throne. The choir, eomposed of semi and" the Siccawei College students, chanted successively the "Kyrie, Credo, Sanctus," and the Communion, th assembled bishops alternating at times, thus producing a combined impression of majesty and genuine Pioty. The service terminated at 130 a.m, Following the solemn thanksgiv= ing ceremony at the high altar, special psalms were chanted. and prayers offered to God and the Virgin, in thanks for the successful issue Council. The "Yeni Creator" was then "chanted. In the course of his gate said: happy closing of general Council, the first held in China, Our aim, as well as that of the assembled bishops here present, hho been to bring China to Christ, 0 that its vast millions may enjoy. the full light of the Gospel, and thus walk in truth and goodness to the final goal of mankind, Signing of the Council's Acts and Decrees A. public lector then invited all the bishops to sign the Council's acts and decrees. Heroupon each one advanced, conducted by the Master of Ceremonies, and signed on the altar all that had been dise cussed and approved for the welfare and progress of Christian life, formation of a native clergy, eduea~ tion of converts, propagation of the Gospel, methods of approaching non-Christians, philanthropic and press work. Copies of this document will be forwarded to Rome, and promulgated after all has been approved by the Holy See.
Solemn "Te Deum"
The Council was finally brought toa by the solemn chanting of the fre Deum," the Ambrosian of praise and thanksgiving for God's benefits and the favours conferred on the Church, Aeclamations were then called for, and delivered with powerful and' unanim= us voice by the assembled bishops. "Thanked be Christ, the Redeemer and Sovereign Lord; thanked be the Holy See, his Excellency the Delegate, the bishops and officials of the, Council, and may all return in peace and happiness to their respective missions. May the Catholic Church in China increase in numbers, doctrine and Christian life, and may. those that still sit in darkness enjoy. soon the light of the Gospel and enter the true Fold of Christ'
The assembled bishops and clergy, then returned in procession, and a8 they descended the steps in front of the Church porch, a cinema operator was remarked taking views of the imposing scene, one of the finest and most impressive ever wit~ essed in the annals of the Catholic Chutch in the Far East,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.