The New York herald., 1869-05-10
MISCELLANEOUS RELIGIOUS SERVICES IN
7HlS CITY.
ST. PATRIcx'S CATHEDRAL.

Sermon by the Right Rev. DIR. Gill.
The cathedral was yesterday filed by large con-
greCaton, the weather being delightful IN every
respect High mass commenced at halfpast ten
O'Clock, the Rev. DR.. McSweeny oniclating as cele-
brant. attended by several assistants. Archbishop
McCloskey, with the Very Rev. DR.. Stars, " c.,
and the Rev. Mr.. Mcverney were present during the
ceremonies. At the termination of the first gospel
the Right REV. DR.. Gill, Of Richmond, preached
sermon taking his text from the gospel OF the day.
He SAID we were reminded by the Saviour to take
possession to wnich he invited all his followers we
knew how short our soJourn IN TINS world, ana
how many tne troubles winch veX our lives here;
yet there was extreme consolation IN the Thought
that there was one VINO had gone TO prepare for us
a better world wnere with Him we might not only
possess immortality but eternity IL was therefore
necessary not to be entirely taken up with the things
ci this world; and there beng no opportunity OF
satisfying the cravings OF our souls for happiness
While in this life we should Int up our minds TO
that country which Christ had promised TO thcse
who believe the truths Of God. Man had capacity TO
know and believe the truths OF God ana 10 obey Ills
commandments. Man was the most dependent OF
ali creatures; he must depend on his fellow man.
upon society and upon humanity. Ana III con.
sequence Of the es ir ne 81 oap Tss
OF truth. There was nothing absolute without
existence. God had absolute existence, and hence nee
| God was truth. Whatever was the creation of God,
whatever He has called into existence was also truth
therefore necessary Ior man to know truth.
low was he to know lty ,uo He S seeks cdS to
himself maze known the truths. He conveyed them
unto men. But after those truths mad become
known to man they were not handed down from
father to son. Tor society became united TO DO so
because OF the corruption which prevailed. What
means were then devised by which TO know the
truthY God intended that His truths should snlne
for all, and with that object employed external
means, so that it might be Tor the benent OF all.
Ths required that 1t sholld be entrusted TO hier-
archy or guardian, IN order that it might be pre-
served In Its purity. God was content 10 propose
His truth in revelations, but 1t was clear TN tnat
totinn we
special people entrusted with mission. But II was
desrous those truths should be extended to ALL SO
that they would be enabled TO live forever. Years
rolled by and Christ came to earth. The truth was
then placed in this world. 1t was made eXternal
SO that mems eyes might behold the proofs. IN the
midst OF all HIS manifestations the truth Of God be-
came visible, and II was Impossible TO behold those
proofs without being convinced OF tne truIn 9 ny
| and assuming human nature, intended tnat men
should believe the truths as they beheld them: he
established a society to whom ne entrusted tnOse
truths in order that they might be made manifest
and spread throughout the world. Now that society
| was not an organization that men could make by
human laws, but something tar superior. That Or
ganlzation was body OF men established by Jesus
he W. way being m Sanzeo 'hn n
| one fold. His body was united and It was
intended Dy the organization to place the truth In
an external way in order that at any time and In
every place 1t might be possible for men to know
and believe It, Moreover, that body was commits
stoned TO go forth and preach to all nations through
| out the world. Iii that organization, OF which He
was the living head, He placed the possession OF HIS
| word, and together with giving that ne promseu
success. He desired that such society should eX-
tend itself throughout the earth. The very reverend
gentleman then proceeded at considerable length 70
dilate upon the mission OF the apostles, explaining
| the authority impaired to them. He alluded to the
foundation OF the Church OF Christ and the promises
held forth in regard 10 Its triumph. Men saw Ine
survive every attempt made against 1t by the world
because of the promises OF Christ 1t was necessary
to have humility IN order to receive the faith. Men
| must be humble when they desire TO know tne
| truths Of God which were to be found only In HIS
1 ffar wary
| course the Right Rev. DIR. Gill concluded by saying
tat the subject appropriate at the present Time
when was celebrated the ascent or the saviour into
heaven whittier he had invited the faithful. He hac
prepared that place for all who obeyed the truths
for he said, 81 am with you, the way ana the llgnt'
| Christ himself had marked out the way, In which
should be practsed humility self-denial, carrylni
the cross, denying the passions and sublectng tneh
TO the laws OF God. BY SO doing the faithful woult
one day assemble and live for all eternity The ser
| mon was listened to with devout attention, ana
IT'S conclusion the ceremonies were proceeded w1th
Tne ceremonles did not terminate Till one O'CLOCK.