The New York herald., 1845-03-08

merit Is il that we poor worms can do anything worthy
Of Godl Certainly not bat Is St Augustine
r-"Gcd having given us his grace and reiigioh' nc
the gift Ia accepting our actions" This the
teaching the Church It e the merit Of Christ every
separated brethren-and God forbid that for instant
should msrepressnt hem-snd have taken great pans
scure. and feel at loss how to snswer but know
at the heart Of their system the denial that man
60 a the 10 S s
can do actions which, when resulting from the
motvethe glory Of God-it is lifted up before God and
acceptable in HIS sight And what is the end OF Gods
creationl why is man endowed by God with capacity
in some measure to sc his own divine perectionl-
For what this but for his glory and hence II we
ad the of protesting christians net what is rsquir
ed Of you find Catholics as bad as other people;
n the wo1Ss ss the caSoc Church
exemped must read the history OF the lives those
who lived and adorned it the mnyrsshe coniessors
of those who in every ego Of the Church, in every
country dedicated themselves to good works What have
been their lives Have there not been although unseen
whose minds are filled with the things Of this esrh hun
Of thousands Of PERSONS filled with the love OF God
and the love % Of man to y
ting oil their minds their strength their lives TO good
works and forts for the well being OF man. although re-
pugnaut to the natural feelings OF mani bearing the stan
dad Of God into the midst the Iudest and most ignorant
natons visiting the death bed Of those scted with the
most loathsome and malignant diseases; in word is
there department OF human life in which the Church has
not exhibited in her faithful children this love working IN
their actions and practice, and bringing forth bands Of
volunteers ready for the most painful services VI the
faith. We have brethren, this result from these other
consequences and these ara sto the special means by
sanctifcstion Of man. First Of ell, and essen ss,
tally, fath because without faith It is impossible
soss 20 S g0ss ~ Ss
may be called hope, and indeed without measure OF it.
society could not well subsist When the merchnnt en-
IN speculation vast sum- whose profitable return
cannot be reslzed until the end Of the voyage is that
hope sustans him which forms part Of the nature of man
in his relations all his activity and energy without
what may be termed this human faith, would become
utterly nsctivc So in some measure with the gilt OF
GGa IS the first requisite Of all but having received q
reconciliation with God the merits Of divine sa
viour some would say that there nothing essential but
US and Cod there nothing required but this faith You
that although God given this faith he has
which we are initiated into his Church IT, therefore,
we preserve the innocence Of bapsm We did not fall
Of svno doubt our sanc,ation would be certain. But
then the teaching of our Church Is that IT, unfortunately
we a away there Is but one other means-one outward
and positive appointment of Saviour by which we
be reconsilcd that the sacrament which may be
called pennance On one side you see God as
not ono Of eighteen hundred ogonot OF little
vince Of the casnot Of few years Of personal minis
try; but who is still Saviourone who still presents
hmsefto you in certain institutions, and fus his cha
racter in your regard personally and individually. He
has instituted in his Church tt at sacrament which
strong qualify you to derive advantage from this dI.
vine blessing What then is essential your part II
you at snmy with dod YOU ses hs
this night holy God would call yeu. you could hardly
hope to be received into the mansions of eternal life
II this be your conscience you are, without he
station. to prepare yourself to separate from
these sins, to discard them, to renounce them,
sorrow FOR the rest Of your e This is the conclusion
to which you should come; because in the Catholic
Church you are not saved by that mysterious and eternal
decree hand Of unavoidable election, and on the
other Of inevitable reprobation. Thus, in cooperating
with faith you may be working out your salvation
without you; for there Is evidence in all the holy
Scriptures that God ever will save any one who s
is for y0u my brethren abound in good works
and CHERISH more and more the true spirit your faith
The remaning portion of the sermon consisted in an
paration for the holy festival that is at hand and few
remarks tho comparative GOODNESS Of character Of Ca
thocs here with the greater warmth social sympathy
and Christian affection Of the inhabitants Of Catholic
countries