The New York herald., 1869-02-22
ST. PETERS "a. c. CHURCH.


st. Peter's church, Barclay street. was yesterday
attended BY very large congregation. The pews,
galleries and aisles were filed with devout wor-
shippers. The interior Of St. Peters Is rather
sombre, without being relieved by the imposing sur
roundlngs that usually to be observed In Catholic
places OF worship. Seraphim in marble at each side
and painting Of the Crucixion above In the centre
the only ornaments Of the altar-a plain piece Of
workmanship. The absence Of sufficient light rs
serious defect in this church. and It may be added
that while gas was burning for the benefit OF the
choir the faithful IN the galleries could hardly read
their prayer books In consequence OF the darkness
that obtained.
Yesterday was the second Sunday in Lent, and the
vestmens Of the clerRymen and drapery OF the
tuary were ofpurple coors Indicative Of the peni
tential season. II was known that his Grace the
Most Reverend Archbishop OF Halifax lDr. Conelly)
was to preach and the circumstance OF the church
being filled to an extent beyond ordinary occasions
was due TO this fact. AS usual, high mass was
commenced vt half-past ten the celeDrant being
Rev. J. Quinn. The pastor, Rev. William Quinn.
sisted during the ceremonies. The choir sang q
Go'dd from one OF Haydns masses, and a. the offer
tory duet. "Qaus est Homo" was rendered IN an
expressive and effective manner BY soprano and
alto.
The Most Rev. Dr. Connolly preached. He took
his text from the seventeenth chapter OF St. Matthew,
ton. He read a. soiIows.M"xnS after six dass
Jesus takeh unto him Peter and James and John hls
brother, and brin9eth them up into high mountain
apart. And he was tra1sfgured before them. And
his face did shine as the sun; and his garments be-
came white as snow. And behold there appeared TO
them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then Peter
answering said TO Jesus, Lord Is 1t good for US 10
Oe here; If thou wilt, let US make here three taber-
naces; one for thee, and one for Noses, and one
behold q bright cloud overshadowed them.
And behold voice Of the cloud, saying This il
him. And the disciples hearing. fell upon their
tace, and were very much afraid. And Jesus came
na be no TSe most reverend prs
late. In commencing, referred to the day rs
Se,e q inc s SECOND G sunday % ~ 10 M Lent and IN con.
were led to consider the great value OF penitence,
which was stepping stone-a bridges passage
out In glowing language the beauty Of good life
and the grandeur Of the character and mission OF
would be equal 70 portray the majesty, the beauty,
the superexcellcnce OF our saviour. Emperora pres
ilents and kings were a. dust when compared with
for thirty years from before the world; but IL
was done so a. to demonstrate that He, the son
mankind know He was the Messiah. The most
reverend prelate drew picture OF heaven,
and the feelings that would be awakened
IN The human heart, and Impressions made upon the
human mind, by beholdng the radiant countenance
Ci our Lord. Ihe preacher quoted several - ssages
from the Aposlles the Apocalypse and the writings
Of the saints TO show clearly this fact Next was
brought 10 view the lessons Christians should tsrc
from the events recounted In the text ellis face did
shine as the sum- was figure as TO how the coun-
fcnance OF man released from sin appears IN the
sight OF God. "And his garments became white as
snow" was only q continuation OF the smle. Seek
Ing the benefits of the sacrament OF penance WAS
suggestive q trans0guratiou. And y had been said
by one OF the fathers that the best way OF COM
mcncing new life was by confessing the
faults Of one passed badly. The three Apostles
chosen by our Redoemer to accompany Him up
To the mountain were, first. one who betrayed
him, another the one lie loved most, and the third
was the first martyr la His cause. This showed that
all classes Of sinners were included In the scope OF
ChEist's mission to save mankind. The most rever-
end preatc dwelt with great eloquence and almost
i "a niatchiess 1guratlve form upon the Importance
of the l8ct that God, In the old law and in the new,
always selected mountains for the purpose Of con-
yeying laws and commandments TO the iinnan race.
Nv ooacusoD he urged siTenu0usly uron his hearers