The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-31
ST. PATRICK,S CATHEDRAL.
Sermon on Forgiveness by DIR. McNicrncy-
An Impressive Service and Fine Music.

Sermon on Forgiveness by DIR. McNicrncy-
An Impressive Service and Fine Music.
In st. Patrick's Cathedral yesterday morning nigh
mass was celebrated by Rev. Mr.. Mclean Rev. DR..
McNierney being master Of the ceremonies. The
mass sung was by Mercadante, In minor. The
solo singers weie:-Soprano. Madame Cnome; alto,
Mrs. Werner; tenor, Mr.. Grosche; basso Mr.. A.
sohst The principal parts OF the mass were:-
Gloria, chorus; Laudantus, concerted piece; OUT
Tolls, tenor solo, with chorus accompaniment at the
otrertory and Saluta,1s, by Marian, sung by Mr. A.
Sohst, basso. Mr.. Gustavus Schmitz presided at
the organ with his usual ability. Madame Chome Is
an accomplished vocalist. She sang the parts as.
signed her with great sweetness and effect The
other artists acquitted themselves creditably
The choir OF ST. Patrick's is admirably organized,
and the music is always Of that class that Is thor
oughly adapted for cathedral service.
At the Gospel the Rev. DR.. McNierney assembled the
pulpit, and after urging the heads Of families to
send their children only to the sunday but also
the parochia schools in order that the children
may be in these Institutions thoroughly instructed
in the principles of their religion the gen.
t!eman proceeded TO read the Gospel OF the day
from ST. Matthew xviii, q TO 49, He said that our
blessed Lord, In the parable recorded in the Gospel
this Sunday, to explain the assurance just made to
Peter--who said, Lord, how often shah my brother
offend against me, and forgive him. till seven
tines but TIL seventy times seven III tm nSs.H
The question Of Peter betrayed the weak
ness ana the Iraity Of human nature
the obstacles That were to be overcome in the
animadverslons OF the cold and calous world The
response or our Divine Master was clear, distinct
and unequivocal and breathed the spirit Of divine
love. The love OF God for man suffered restric.
tion and admitted OF no exclusion. 80 likewise
shalt my heavenly Father do TO you II you 40 not
] forgive your brother from your hearts, Whence
therefore, did tins precept OF forgiveness OF injuries
l a a
thee not till seven times, but till seventy
times seven times" 1t derived Its strength, in the
| second place. from the deep sense of gratitude we
owed to God an account OF his great mercies. What
thousand talents, which were snswithout number
The proofs OF Gods goodness and mercy were made
way. They might exclam, In the words OF the
Psalmist. Nv hat return snail make to the Lordp'
What RETURN Let Them forgive The INJURIES done to
against them by their brother. This was debt OF
gratitude which they owed TO Coda charitable act
which they were called upon to perform. Let them
lose sight OF man and think only OF God, whom they
had onended they owed him infinitely more than
that. Let them not think OF the insults offered and
the outrages done to them; let every senti.
ment OF wrath or Indignation give way to
derived It's strength from The example set US by
our Divine Lord How striking, how intense was
the exercise OF mercy expressed In those Words
81 forgive thee all thy debt; thy sins have become
countless rs The Stars in the armament or as the
grains OF sand on the sea shore; they have sulned
Tue Toos 81 my paptisnlal innocence; though th0u
didst owe me 10000 talents more than thou vert
able to pay. yet forgive thee all. Have compass.
sion on my falien servant, even az | nave compass.
sion on thee.' IL was our interest to suppress all
ebullitons oI anger whioh were sufficient to stine
the noble impulses OF our nature. Anger was the
sower OF dscOrd, IL was the ruin Of friendship and
tile fell destroyer of charity. IL produced hatred,
enmi,y ana discord IL tended to contention, to
striles and quarrels, and oitentimes TO results
more calalnitou5 than all these. It's excuses had
darKened the pages OF history nor were our own
days free from its traces witness the constant
shedding or human blood, the almost daily record OF
| which appas and aGrights the whole community
1t was interest TO secure for ourselves gener
Gus and unrestricted pardon from those whom we
had injured. But one cooiitQl, aud Qas g9asA.lAs