The New York herald., 1851-07-14

Archblshep Hughes IN -. Peters Church
Adminlssrsssen OF the Sacrament OF Con-
nrms tion, and Sermon by HIS Grace.
Yesterday morning, at eight o'clock, Archbishop
Hughes administered the rite Of confirmation to large
number Of children, and some adults Of both in
St Peters Church, barclay street There fifty. six
males, including two or three men, among whom we're
two convert-Rev Mr. Preston formerly Of the Episco-
pal church. and assistant pastor Of the Rev d. Forbes
and MIR. White now clerk Of st. Peters Church. The
boys occupied the right hand side Of the middle aisle
the church The girls occupied the left side and
bered sxty-sx, besides forty four more who accom-
panied them, and under Instruction for confrma-
tion, but not yet prepared The females were, for
the most part dressed in white, and all OF them wore
white vils like those by nuns There were three
or four females of mature age and among them very
beautiful girl who has recently taken the veil in the
order Of the Sisters Of Mercy of whom were pre-
sent assisting at the ceremony. These little girls ar
rayed in uniform white dress and wearing white wells
the emblems Of purity, presented interesting
spectacle.
During the celebration of mass two Of the boys came
forward in front Of the altar each with lighted taper
in his and and holding between then with the other
the fm Of the renewal of the baptismal printed
on tablet encirced with wreath OF howers, while
third boy rected it aloud in the name OF all the postu
lsDts.
The Archbishop then briefly addressed them from the
altar, to the following effect He said Dear children,
The promise made tor you at your baptism, and which
you here renew God viii enable you fulfil you pray
to him. and rely upon his grace. Pray in the morning,
you rise from rest, and at night you retire, and
gcod resolutions and seek the assistance of God to
enable you TO keep them Love your parents for If you
love Gcd you will love and honor your parents would
caution you against bad company and bad words not
ouy cursing, but pass ionate and angry words Have
10 The holy acranents for in them you will get
str, ngth to the world the devil and the hesh
glect not to invoke the assistance Of the blessed
will be accounted worthy of her eternal smiles AVID you
will be enabled by her aid to fulfil the solemn promises
you baye his day made in the presence Of God.
Tie sacrament Of the Eucharist then administered
to the candidates for confirmation kneeng in divisions
around the altar rome Of fhe children were so young
that it was with difficulty the officiating Clergyman
could get the large white wafer into their mouths with
After mass the Archbishop put on his mitre, and
again addressed the children He said they had already
bee taught the nature Of amen and it was not
necessary therefore him that OCCASION TO explain
to them. The design Of the sacraments Is to assist
ihose Who Iariake OF these means OF grace IN meeting
trials which ney could not meet alone. The young
who despised the holy religion of Christ the ndel
scof,r who sneered at it, and the corrupt man. who
turned every thing into the channel eff his thoughts.
Such was the intention Of confrnationthe perfect seal
of baptism ard adoption into the church OF God.
The children then knelt around the rang Of the al
iar-tle boys fret in two and then the girls, in
three sets The Archbishop assisted by two priests hen
preceded to administer the rite lie took small yes
eel, containing acr,d oil and with piece Of cotton a2
Piled TO the forehead Of each, repeating in Latin the
Of the pCsuant after the priest who went before
the Archbishop and sscertained it from card which
C2Cn Ieid IN his hand priest VINO
hop wiped of the oil with another piece Of cot
ten. ihe ceremony concluded by the Archbishop
giving the child slap in the fac.a gentle on the
lett che,k-and at the same time promo uncing the
words, pGz fecM" (peace be with you The intention
Of his part Of the nopy is to teach the child hui
nity ard non-resistance according to the words OF
Chtists sermon the mCunt, hosoever shall smte
thee on the one cheek. turn the other also "
The Archbishop preached at last mass from the gospel
Of the day, Matthew, chapter beginning ut the 20th
verse His Grace occupied n chair placed the altar
The discourse Of purely practical and ree ious
nature. and had admixture Of politics or points Of
public interest. The scope of the TO show
that the external Observance Of religious rites ani
monies OF no avail without the love of God and man
in the heart In speaking Of the exhorston Of Christ
ogye enemies and pray for them his Grace argued
that Christ did that the Christian should be
to injury aud feel resentment, but that
lie should not do revengeful act or wish evil to his
enemy but The contrary pray for him though would
BE- in possible for him TO love him with the alice
ton relations love each other lie taid the prnci
pies of Christ followed out, the earth would be
turned into paradise; but there time wheu
mems passions urgoyernsble as at the present
Aou couo not take up public journal that was not
filled with murder manslaughters, assaults and other
acts violence The that religion not in the
good reputation and from the idea Of keep
ing cl, ar Of the meshes of the law.
At the conclusion Of the celebration Of mass one Of
the officiating priests announced that collection would
be taken up for railing for St Peters church for the
twood purpose II protecting 1t from profanity AMI Civ
ing nib TO the exterior appearance II the church.
The CO lection then taken. There also money
boxes the door which printed the words For
he red, Tpiion Of St Peters church"