The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-11-04
A Sunday Morning at Saint Patrick's
Cathedral.


the solemnizlng influences Of that splendid ritual
The kneeling crowds around the entrance to the
Cathedral-the hands crossed upon the breast in
penltentia reverence-the eyes turned upward on
the cross-the hushed and solemn aspect OF the
vast multitude within-the Priests kneeling at the
altar-the mysterious symbols OF the Christians
falth-the clouds of incense-the deep, full, low
notes OF the organ-the dim religious lght-a pro.
duced an impression which no heart, but one hard
as the neither milestone could resist One could
hardly help excaimins with him of old, whose ewes
IN vision beheld the heaven opened, and the angel,
ascending and descending,-" Surely this is the
house of God-this is none other than the gate Of
heaven"
The preacher was the Rev. Mr.. RYDGn, Presi-
dent Of Georgetown College, man Of eruditiop.
Of calm and reversnt aspect, and simple but touch.
ing eloqusnce. His subject was "Charty," and
thus eoquently did he plead in her name for the
fathsrlessi-
The Sermon.
Ihare shoWed you all things that aboring in this man
must receive the peak and remember he ,ooyd of ~,
Lord Jesus hoD lie said is more blessed 10 gre than 10 ~.
ceipe Acts Xxx, % =
BELOVED BRErHREN The philosophy Of this world
text pronounces on both the estimate Of heaven This
solemn warning to the clergy not intended for them
d..
sis there or terminate there but to extend and multiply
amongst the whole body of the faithful II il then In
obedience to this admonition to the clergy that enforce
TINS duty upon you He who receives Is far blessed than
yos whs givsit in the spirit of Christian charity Let
me then state without further preface the object which
dsslreo commend to you at the Holy Altar this morn
ing. As men-ss citizens Of this empire city-os
Americans and as christians Of whatever denomination
the institution whose claims plead appeals to you
sympathy and aid. Who are they on whose part ap-
pear! They little females whose parents were dur.
ing NE unable to maintain them and from whose embra
little females unable to protect themselves who in
few years would be called an evil world in all
is magny to fall mayhaP the prey Of the vile seducsr
becoming disgrace and shame to the church They
have nothing to protect them but the charities of those
who have become their guardian They stretch their
equally helpless equally need Of sympathy and
care But y az Americans and the citizens Of this en-
prs city that you especially bound to attend their
claims This institution the creation Of some of
your own community ladies whose virtues had rem.
dered them the of society They the great
zeal they entered it. More than twenty years ago
this institution commenced, and amid all diulties il
aourished i matter Of great joy to reflect that during
the awful visitation Of the cholera these little orphans had
secure asylum But owing to the circumstances in
which this band OF holy matrons placed they were
obliged to entrust it to the Of the sters Of Chair
ty" They were not unworthy Of the trust They took
these little orphans and in all the Of love
they brought them They have extended the sphere
OF their abors AT present there than 100 chill
dren in that institution But owing the great exertons
made they in sraened circumstances They are not
Vhiy Oh QeRtltutlOn. this
not enough to work your generous feelings7 These
children are your1 holy Inheritance, and Ii the ap
peal Of flesh and blood can have any effect on
generous mind surely the appeal Of these dear
ought to have effect upon you their fos
r fathers and foster mothers Remember again. what
properly educated They win hereafter mngie In youf
domestics in your families teachers OF
mix with How aSen h Sa may
be educated properly What evil have not wicked SER
wants BY their conversation and example produced
the atmosphere Of virtuous and happy family But
il educated Alright these little children may be the
will be taught that pesy the oniy
the only means of happiness. Can you not thus see
the advantage you win yourselves reap from this
wy are nP pssa ss s aa1s
ns the sublime morality and patriotism Of our fathers
the rights Of fellow beings and the spirit Of our ns
buttons must provoke the vengeance Of God Now
recollect perhaps the expression of Burke on frat
entering the city Of London. He around him the
hsun,s Of iniqnyne saw IN the streets walking with
immense population that seemed to be animated only by
iniquty and he exclaimedwhat is to become OF this
city, But see amid all this the abodes Of
christian lovethcre yet hope for this
people Now perhaps this is not napplcable to
dtion We at least confess that have deserved
chastisement Of Heaven DO then stand in need OF
advocate7 Who is that to be Is it the politician or
selfish statesman Who is it to be These little inno-
NJ.
would not fear for that community which there Is
spirit Of jealous regard for such an institution. These
%Son nsys o for this
They pray that God may forgive this community. See
then how these little females indeed your bensaetoTs
Could unrol the records of heaven might indeed be
that the prayers oil these nnocents already
averea from us the Indignation Of heaven. We all know
that the prayer of the innocent all powerful with God
Had Ave just men been found in Sodom their pray ers
would have saved the guilty cities OF the plain But here
we have more than one hundred innocent beings who
they have especial claim yonr generosity. Can
we forget the principles Of our holy fahl That
bound to succor and love one anohsr If there be any
one principle OF Christianity inculcated emphati
cay than another Is the principle Of caarityof aims
gving-of benevoience. Charity reigns triumphant in
heaven faith and hope for the spirit OF God him.
self Hence he wishes its reign and its trumphs to begin
here below. As he is common father, having re-.
deemed by his blood all brethren We should
them be justly regarded destitute Of paterna love
we neglect the claims OF those in whose behalf appeal
to you God has given the most abundant promises Of
reward for the Of this charity In proportion
we extend 1t to suffering BRETHREN SO will He ex.
tend to us his aimighty love and boundless mercy
Need ! recall to your mind the awful judgment
which awaits usi Almost the only subject Of examna.
ton that day will be whether have been kind to
the suffering and distressed. The question will Have
n sckness1 Have you clothed me when was nsned1
Have you fed me when was an hungered7 And the re.
ply Of many will be-"When saw we thee in prison, or
"As you did not do unto my little ones ye did 1t not
unto me-depart from me accursed!" Now only tell
you the spirit OF chr1st1anIty and the intentions
of Divine Providence. Have we returned all
we should to himl Have we paid our debt to
him7 Are we able to claim the reward7 Have we
been father to the orphan1 II not. then say that
stand in need Of than ordinary assistance TO deliver
That assistance il to be sought in the exercise Of
charity Show then this morning yonr zeal-your cha
rtyyour love Tor those helpless little Need add
anything In commentator OF those generous and devot
ed women-the mothers and guardians OF those little
the Sisters Of Charity No. But let the generous
exerons Of this Statehood move you to charity May
the peace Of God be with you-Amen.
The preacher ceased, and as we looked around
we saw the tears streaming from many eyes. The
choir sung an anthem, and the contribution plates
they werekhanded round discovered that the elo-
quent appeal Of the preacher could elicit something
more than tears. And thus devoted to the cause
Of charity and God, passed away
SUNDAY MORNING AT ST.. PATRIcK's.
TwEKDLEDUM AND TwEEDLKDER Last Sunday
morning we saw what " fashionables" and :" our
first mem would cal. "loaiern issue from Caswells
grog shop in Spring lane and spew on the sidewalk.