The New York herald., 1868-05-04
st. Patrick's Cathedral.


and resurrection.
St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Another week has closed upon the missionary la
bOrs Of the Redemptorist Fathers, who during the
entire period OF their visit have disayed the greatest
zeal and perseverance, rewarded only by the con-
sciOHsness Of having effected a vast amount OF
spiritual good among the multitudes who, since the
inauguration OF the mission have daily thronged the
Cathedral. Few missions in this city have been
attended with more complete success From
dawn till night immense crowds have continuously
poured into the ediice, where the reverend fathers
were unremtting In their attentions and untring
in their eloquence. The cOnfessiOnas were hourly
beseged by the faithful as well by many
who had perhaps strayed from the paths OF virtue,
and the number OF communicates within the past
fortnight must have been something surprising.
Athoagh IL the e., parish at Is very large m few Homsa
by the powerful discourses and devotional exercises
necessarily held forth by the reverend gentlemen,
fatigue in the noble cause which they had so aus
piciously undertaken. The mission was brought TO
who ea ID be S i o It's
utmost capacity. Solemn high mass commenced
at haIf-past ten O'Clock, the Very Rev. Mr..
DR.. McSweeny, deacon, Rev. Mr.. Mclean,
subdeacon and the Rev. Mr. Kearney, master OF
cermonies. On either side of the altar the usual
youthful assistants who, arrayed in the appropriate
costumes of their respective Offices, presented very
fine and imposing appearance, The Cathedral itself
Gothic windows, through which the sun shone bril-
anty, sending its streams Of variegated light upon
the array OF fashion beneath The mass played on the
occasion was by Mandanci in G., being in its entirety
a composition Of much sweetness and melody, and
in some portions not unlike the more classical gems
Ofsome OF the best Old operas, which unfortunately
are nowadays being laid aside for more fighty and
transient aspirations The Kyrie passed on remark
ably well, but the full powers Of the choir were
brought into requistion In the CredO which was rem
dered In highly credtable manner. Indeed the ~
Incdrnatus, in itself grand conception, could
naN hur mi
At the 0ifertory Bassini's 0LUe Regina was sung by
Madame Chome with all the power and sweetness
and expression Of which that finished artist is so
capable. The Sd7ctuS and AgnuS Del which sue
ceeded gave the choir fine opportunity for the ds,
which both pieces were given reflected much credit
on Mr.. Schmtz who, as usual presided at the organ
At the termination Of the first gospel the Rev. Mr..
Enright ascended the pulpit and preached an appro-
pirate sermon from the text " Blessed are the poor
In spirit for theirs is the kingdom Of heaven" The
reverend gentleman referred to the labOrS OF the
mission, which had been so happily cOnsunmated,
and vividly pointed out the great joys OF heaven TO
be reaped by those who served God faithfully on
earth. He adverted to the falacy Of the transient
and idle pleasures Of this world its and temp
ment even here was that of a happy and con
tented mind, which could only be obtained by
careful observance of the laws of the Creator.
He trusted the endeavOrs Of the missionaries
would not prove lruitless, and that those now re-
stored to the grace of God would continue to walk
the road OF righteousness and faith and the kingdom
of heaven would be their eternal recompense.
Throughout the discourse listened to with
marked attention and at its conclusion the august
ceremonies were proceeded with and did not term
nate till after one o'clock During the present week
the mission will be extended to the children of the
parish and surrounding districts.
In the evening the Cathedral was again densely
when several impressive rites were per-
cross which will be placed in front Of the edfce to-
day, and the renewal OF the baptismal vows in
which many participated. An eloquent sermon was
preached by one OF the RedemptOrist Fathers, and,
the 7e Deunt having been sung with grand effect by
a numerous and well trained choir, the proceedings
were brought 10 a close.
The Christian Priesthood a. Sacred Order and
Not n Human Institution.
The second of the course OF lectures on /" Church
Principles being delivered at Trinity chapel in West
Twentyfth street, by Rev. Morgan Dix, DID,, rector
of Trinity church. was delivered last evening. As
at the first lecture, there was numerous cOngrcga-
iOn, who listened with undivided attention to the
discourse.
What is a Christian minister? began the reverend
speaker Is he not man like the professional man,
or is there something in his office which makes 1t
generally distinct from any other in this world, and
II so, where lies the infiuences This is ques-
tion which may well engage the attention
take % 6oly orders ASKS the n'e CEREMONY Of %
make any change in me--will IL give lnc
anything that cannot have without it, Is there
power about to descend upon me adding to my gifts
at the same time that my responsibilities are in-
creased2 What IS q deacon-what Is prestf IL he
merely person recognized as having right 10 do
people what good he can as preacher OF words and
religionY Is there nothing more mysterious in an
ordination than in q commencement OF II law school
or medical collegeS All these questions he
urged as very important. As to the answer there
are two different IDEAS about 1t. There who
regard the ministry as merely one profession among
Others, though the best and most excellent OF all
and others who regard IL rs a power Of Almighty
God incarnate here on earth. One siaie regard
lmpressing an indellibe stamp and character upon
the man. What is the popular idea OF The Christian
ministry? Many turn towards the ministry because
they and themselves endowed with good voice "A
gift OF speech . certain aptness TO teach, high
sense Of morality, strong religious element and
moved 10 preach the gospel. lie studies
theology awhile as eXpedient III The present state OF
general Intelligence in the community. aud then he
Is ordained and then he goes to preaching and the
pTehN reverend Is given 10 his naIne Now, what do
we gather from the Holy scriptures rcspectlng The
CHRISTIAN ministry First, II Is u priesthood. The
Scriptures changed the priesthood hut they never
abolished 1t. second, it includes or consists of "a
divine piit transmitted through men and coming
unto men. All our native Gifts come from
God, but This is supernatural riff: it comes
from Cod not In the ordinary process OF derivation
but by the putting on Of the hands of an APOSTLE
Thirdly, the men WHO have that gin are ambassa sa-
dors OF Christ. Fcurthly these are ministers Of
CHRIST aud stewards OF the mysteries OF God. Filthy
thei are labortrs together with cod aud what they
do IS done by cod and what GOD does he does
.,.IouHn 'Dlb, anu re SAYS 20 tle same Receive We
uie Hoy IhoSt.' All this IS very different from The
ordinary conception Of minister Such ministers
are very unlike the eloquent preachers ana tat
ontcd and popular diyncs OF our day. as the
cedar OF Theron il unlike modern liberty
poe " " the contrast between sacred Onicc--mys-
terious from first To last: mystery even TO
hiin VINO holds It, and a human calling and profess
SION which has no mystery about It at all but
Wnich lDooy understands and sees all through
Having given the Scriptuui Interpretation OF the
ministry, thc reverend speaker gave his view of the
piies'hOOu ~ expressed in the Book of Common
prayer il gives, ne insisted full power 10 perform
every act oi sacedolal function anung the people.
Ihe ONCE Is termed here holy Junction. aud they
noH orders winch nO man can take or exercise,
though he had the wisdom of solomon. the
holiness OF Davsl and the el0quence OF II. raul, en-
Cept utuig ordained thereto by The bishop. The men
VINO hod tis Office are held to he MESSENGERS select
men anu stewards OF the Lord. When men are
ordained 10 His oilce the very words are used which
Chrlst useti, 'Receiye ye the Holy Ghost.r What
such Iaen DO mol, therefore. he argued their indi
Nduai work. but the delegated work Of Christ. From
M ~ Wis nc insisted that the Bible and the Book OF
common Prayer agreed In the Interpretation