The New York herald., 1869-07-05
ST. psTs's, BARCLAY sIasET.
Ecnsi Of 81. Peter.

Fensi OF Sf. Peter.
Notwithstanding the Intense heat OF the scorchtng
sun OF yesterday, there was large congregation al
the grand solemn high mass which was celebrated
Ut hall past ten clock IN this Old church. which has
lsno boen known as 'the cradle OF CathociU" IN
New York. There was powerful choir present under
the leadership OF Mr. William p. Pecher, the accom-
p.hed organist OF the church, TO carry out Enost
exquisite and appropriate programme, so far rs the
musical POI uon OF the services was concerned. This
was composed OF the KgIie GlOr.G and Credo. from
Rossi's Mass In A MINOR the SdRotts and Agna,s Det
from aaydns FIRST Mss in q nat and the Offer
tory, by Handel aud sung by MISS Tobin. Owing
,o illness of Mrs Faston, the soprano solos were
sung by Miss BrIekei. Ihe most elective ana e,e-
CANDY rendered part, however, was the otert0ry,
LA whch Miss lobln showed at once the rich volume
and lender pJthOs OF a Wei cu.tlv lted vo.Ce.
Al hal past tea hrn mass was commenced, the
ee@brant beng the rev. IA. o'tarrell; deacon, kev.
hr. Brady; sub-oeacon, Rev. MIR. Fahcrty; master
OF ceremonies. Rev. Gr. Rigney. Father nn, pas
tVr OF II, Peters, and several other distinguished
ciergymen occupied seats In the SANCTUARY.
Al the usual perlod1namely, the Gespel part OF
the m0ss-the Rev. Mr.. O'FarreH, OF Montreal,
ascended the pulpit and preached highly lnstrnc-
tive and Logical sermeD, taking his ieXG from tie
sixteenth cnepter o1 81. Matthew sixteenth ana
seventeenth verses, Whlch bear reference 70 The
ehu ch being builE upon a rock, NC. The reverend
gentleman commenced by observing tnat he rad
seIected that for nus sermon because that day
the gorlous festival OF SIS, Peer and Paul. He
wished to show chem that the Cnurcn OF cod is
DuiiJ on lounuabon WnlCh CHRIST lalu-tnas II
Was bulit on st. Peters faith and oye. Our
Lord came into the world TO Iodnd q churcn which
was 10 teach the truth 10 an nations OF the earia.
lie beg an, ike wise architect 10y laying the isnn-
dations OF b ) EhurcA deep aud stroag Out Of the
Twelve APOSTLES, VINO constituted the 1rst essential
cement OF all unity, He selected Simon Peter 10 be
the visible mead of inns great Church. Thus Peter
became the visible rock--the nushakable toundu-
uon--of the Catholic Churcn. The rains might fail
and the wHds bow against that house, but II could
not iail because 1t Was built upon a rock, aud we
that the gates OF hell should never prevail
against her. The reverend gentleman hav-
ing entered into an elaborate and logical
,eXposluen OF the history OF the Catholic
Church from the time OF Its foundation up 10
tue present day winch he traced its direct lineage
lrom the Divine Master, aud through the Apostles
down TO Pope Plus the Ninth, the present visible
head OF the churcn Cd earth. Went on 30 speak OF
the auaptablty oi The Catholic Church republican
lcrms oil government, such as we have IN America.
Do no pretend Ito say, SAID the preacher, that this
church is filter for this free countrg-hat she
not litter Iof republican institutions. II she cenes
irom God and is the truth, she can adopt herself
10 every ieSitlmate government. History shows
the lalsehood OF the assertion to the contrary.
The treest countries in the world were the
republics OF Italy in the Middle Ages and
they were all Catholics. The lreer the gov
ernment is the more need It has of the Catholic
Church. Whys Because The freer the government
Is the more need 1t has Tor the respect OF ITS own
authority. government has but two means of ex-
istence-either by force or by respect love. II
government Is sustained by the Tree VIII Of a great
people only 1t cannot stand except it has their
spect ana love, and religion eau inspire this
nenty system OF respect. IL teaches respect
child for the parent, and when the child grows up
meat under which he lives. The Church is not OPP
posed 10 your free institutions. On the contrary,
she would be their best safeguard. and IL these
shtutions should ever tai-and God forbid, for they
are the last hopes OF the oppressed OF every cline
II they should ever fail they VIII only iaii when all
respect Tor authority has died out among you,