The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-09-22
ST. MATTHEW'S DAY.
celebration OF the Fcstiyai-seryices
at 81. Matthew'S Church.


impressive solemnity with which the Catholic
Church invests the commemorative services
Of those who were most valiant In the Chris
tiau warfare on earth. Solemn High Mass was
celebrated at eleven o'clock, with Rev. Thos.
Starr, Of the Church Of the Immaculate Con.
ception, as celebrant; Rev. J. J. Kane, assis-
Assistant Pastor Mackin, Of 81. Matthews
church, as sub-deacon; and REV. J. V. Nc
Nally, Of Stephens church, master Of ccrc-
monies. There were also present In the
sanctuary the venerable Father Young, OF
81. Dominic's, and Rev. j. A. Walter, pastor
of 81. Patrlck's. The grand altar was bril-
liantly Illuminated, while the side affairs were
tastcfully decorated and ornamented with
flowers and eyergreens.
The church was crowded to Its utmos,
capacity, many Of the congregation being
Protcstants, attracted by the announcement
that the services would he unusually inter
esting.
The choir, composed OF large number Of
the best yocalists of Washington, supported
by an excellent orchestra and organ accom-
paniment, rendered IIummel's Second Mass
with fine effect, the principal solos being sus-
tained by Miss Jullana May, Miss Marion
Anderson, Mrs. Anna VI. King, Mrs. Callan,
Mr.. Z. L. Cannon and s. V. Noyes.
Tho Veni Creator, by Leach, baritone
solo, was sung with thrilling effect at the
conclusion OF the chanting OF the Gospel,
by Mr.. L. +. Cannon. At the ofiertory of
the Mass Miss Jullana May sung Diabelll's
celebrated Jubildtc Dec in the most excellent
manner.
Nothing contributes more to the rendition
of the works Of the great musical com.
poscrs than good orchestra, and II Is
worthy Of notice that on all the principal
festivals Rev. DR.. White, the pastor Of ST.
Matthews, has added TO the beauty OF the
Catholic Church service these orchestral nc.
compartments In the rendition Of the finest
mass music that fills his repertoire. The
musical exercises were under his direction
yesterday. Mr.. 7. Caulneld presided at the
organ, and Prof. Louis Weber conducted the
orchestra.
The panegyric wasIpronounced by Rev. r.
E. Boyle, pastor OF St. Peters church.
After reading the gospel of this festival,
from St. Matthew TX chapter, 9th to l4th
verses, which gives n brief account of St.
Matthews call to the Apostolic mission,
the Reverend Father said he read In the
10th chapter OF the same gospel, Sd verse,
Of Matthew the publican.
We are assembled, beloved brethren, TO
panegyrizc st. Matthew, the apostle Of Jesus
Christ, who under Gods will Is the chosen
patron Of this congregation and protector of
this parish. The force Of the word pane
gyric is a large assembly, or soiemnity in
which the people arc gathered for some pub
lie testimonial concerning some great per-
sonage or character; aud In the spirit Of the
Church we arc httiugly assembled for this
purpose to-day.
With holy familiarity, as children OF the
great family Of God, our heavenly Father,
we salute the saints as dear friends and near
protectors, with whom we are united in
bonds Of hallowcd love by supernatural tics.
In the church Of God we call them by their
names we address to them fervcnt suppl
cations; we refer our great concerns Of earth
to their intercession, and hold ourselves In
their communion on terms the most intimate,
in friendship the most tender, and sigh for
the day when the wall Of separation shall be
thrown down and the people OF God brought
face to face in the happiness of the bcatldc
vision.
The speaker then alluded to the history OF
the saint, as recorded In the gospel written
by himself, of his self denial, profound hui
millty and deep contrition. flc dwelt par.
ticularly upon his character rs q publican; the
promptness with which he obcyed the divine
summons Of Jesus, "Follow me-" and up.
piled 1t to the spiritual wants OF the people
OF the present day. What Jesus said and
did In his earthly mission Is daily renewed
In the mission OF the Church ali over the
world. The sacraments were channels OF
grace, ever flowing and incxhaustiblc, hay
Ing their source in The sacred heart of Jesrs,
and communicating TO the receiver the sane
blessing that Jesus conferred upon sinners
when he walked among men.
st. Matthew records himself n publlcan-n
name most odious to the people among whom
he lived when he wrote the Gospel. UptC
the time Of his being called We know moth.
ing OF his personal history other than that
conveyed In the word, a publican. As Q
class they were obnoxious 10 the scribcs and
Pharlsees, and upon the occasion of the feast
which Matthew gave to his friends and In
honor OF his new vocation, the charge wa
made against our blessed Lord that he asso
ciated with publlcans and sinners. lie wa
| generous, leaving all things In obedience t,
the summons received. His love was world
wide, going forth to preach the Gospel ant
help his brethren conquer the world L
Christ. lie was scourgeG with the othc
! apostles In consequence of the miracles o
ST. Peter, and reJolced that he was consid
cred worthy to suffer for his Divine Master
Hero In brief is the portrait OF the great
soul whose noble example survives the
lapse OF centurles-in whose honor this edi
flee was erected, and whose memory Is dear
holds united In heaven the faithful apostolic
band-the foundation of His Church.
In the words OF the Gospel: "They tina
are well need not the physician-but the,
that are III, ] am not come to call the Just
but Sinners Oh, what consolation thi
should be 10 our hearts, tried In so man,
ways In this world Of alllctlOn and care
What words of comfort should these word
of Jesus be to us poor sinners. They speal
to us what Jesus thinks of sinners, an,
teach us to aspire to sanity life, that W
too may, like sinner who have lived bcfor
us, share the glory Of Immortality in tha
heavenly kingdom, the conquest of His pre-
CiOus blood. What so remarkable In the lif
Of Jesus as his love for sinners. Stud
Ills blessed words and see how he confirm
this doctrine; consider His actions, they vii
make 1t clearer still; observe the conduct Q
Ills church, and II will throw additions
light upon the charity Of Jesus for sinners
lie came TO call sinners TO repentance
Their familiarity did not displeasc him. Al
through life he spoke words of comfort l.
the afflicted and oppressed. His WELDON
was always one OF love.
Father Boyle, after dwelling at som
, length upon this tIait of the character q
Jesus, Us depleted In the Gospel of 81
| Matthew, next spoke ofthc tendency of ma
TO he harsh and cruel. Without grace, h
said, we are full of Indignation at the word
and actions Of our lcllow-mcn. We loo
with an evil eye upon those who have fallel
We frown upon the sinner whose deeds hay
become notorious. We shun them "
would not recognize or hold converse wit
them We classify those whose souls a
stained with sin as did the Jewish law Of o.
the lepers, and bid them depart from anon
us. This Is the disposition Of the man who's
heart is devoid of the grace Of God.
This was an evil which VIC should guar
against by closer study aud more practice
Imitation of the word and example of Jesu
| What was true in Ills day is equally true
! ours. There are tarcs among the wheat no
as then. Yet how Jesus loves Ills Church
the great harvest field of souls. lie HI
taught us lessons Of encouragement In ii
institution of the Holy Eucharist-thc nigl
In which he was bctraycd-whcn he said
"l.et not your hearts be sad. In my Father
house there are many mansions" Not
few, but many, many mansions. Says S
John, in the Apocalypse, describing h
heavenly vision, 81 saw great multitude
all nations and peoples" A multitude
whOml OF men who once, like us, we
| dwellers on earth-evcn sinncrs-but 7
deemed by the precious blood Of Him wi
died for all on Calvary.
| lie still loves poor sinners. We read
everywhere in his Gospels, In his life, IN h
| Church. Grace comes down to us reachil
unto every need of life. No one can tell Il