The New York herald., 1870-02-14
81. pATR.ck's CATHEDRAL.


seryiecs-Thc Narrow Path TO Heaven
Sermon by DIR. AIcsweeny-The Music.
whatever influence tue delightful weather os yes
tefday may have had on the religious feelings OF tue
faithful generally, the Cathedral was crowded 10 the
doors. But IL was not Dy any means TO the auspi-
cous state OF the elements that the immense attend
ancc was attributable Rain or sunshine whether
threatening clouds hang heavily overhead or tho
brightness OF the clear blue sky Is not shadowed by
single speck-the congregation is all the same, at
least IN numbers, devotion. unostentatlous piety,
earnestDess and respectability. The Cathedral can
hardly be SAID TO be fashionable church. Not
that the nckle goddess has not some votaries,
even there; not that the toilets Of the ladies' are
not elegant, tasteful and costly, ana that
the purses Of the male members Of the con-
gregaton are not long ana often opened for
charitable purposes but there is an OF grandeur
and solemnity, an atmosphere Of sanctty pervading
the place that at once dispels the idea Of worldly
display, however attractive or appropriate: ANA
while st. Patrlck's Cathedral may not have among
its regular attendants the fawning, timid slaves TO
fashion, there are yet those whose wealth aud stand
Ing in society partly compel them to follow modesty
her singular studies. CHANGING over the multitude
1t Is easy to observe that the principal an,i only
OBJECT Of the assembling OF It's individual cohstitl'
ents Is to pray and be instructed in the teach
ings OF the Church. The scene presented
Is significant as 1t Is impressive even by
and poor are there, mlngling together with narno
NOUS sentiments. with the same hopes and aspira-
U0ns There ~ no excluslveness and the prayers
OF The faithful congregation. composed as II Is OF
| tnose residing In the surrounding vicinity, the
w moi'.ny ahu Uue penhiess, ascend as II spoken Dy
one voice. The aspect OF the interior yesterday
was mighty Imposing AZ last mass, ana rendered
not llttie brilliant by the reflection OF the suns
Drishs beams through The gorgeousy stained win
dows. At hali-past ten O'CLOCK mass was COM
menced, the Rev. Mr.. Mclean officiating as cele-
Drant, attended by acolytes and assistants, who
| were arrayed in appropriate costume Beng
| Septuagesema Sunday, The church began her
evident by the purple color Of the yestments
worn, while the usual halelujans and hymns OF
| joy were omitted. Al the termination OF the nrsl
| gospel lne Rev. DR.. Y. +. McSweeny assembled tne
pulpit and preached an eloquent and effective SER
mon, characterized as IL was by simplicity ana arga
| mentativeness. lie dwelt particularly on the tact
tnat the road TO heaven was by an exceedingly mar
row path, and that bile tne Journey seset with
difficulties, they must nevertheless be overcome. II
| was wrong to suppose That the Lord wound not
punish sinners for teir offences as IL was iOosh 10
1 say that Deipg all mercy lie would not Intct tor
tafe. Tue road, TO be sure, was very difficult but II
must be followed II the iapny goal was 10 De arrived
| at. some went many miles anu then turned back
To JON the multitude on the vice pain 10 desfruc-
| tlon IN conclusion Tue reverend gentleman cara
esty eppealed TO tue congregation to follow the
| pieCeps laId down IN The Gospel.
Always a feature at the Cathedral, the musical
arrangements yesterday, under the aDe ulrcction
Professor Gustav Schultz, IN every respect
worthy the high reputation the CHOIR has desery-
edy attained. Ihe admirable, appropriate and
classical selections 30 eIilcentiy Interpreted oy the
principal artlstS ever welcome to the cDngrega-
lion harmonizng as they 40 tho august ana Deauti-
tul ceremonies To be sure, the cnoir IL not over
burdened WIN singers, but the advanced state or
cultivation ana thorough training Or those actually
| engaged effect the most fruitful results, nothing
| beng left uDdone TO render the music IN fitlng
style. The mass played yesterday was by Pauseron,
IA major, for four VOICES. IL - almost needless 10
state that the composition was done every justice TO,
| botn In respect to power and as well TO the rem
dtion OF the several solos. The Kyrte opened sple
didiy followed by bass solo entrusted to Mr.. A.
Sohst, WAC failed not to display the varied qualities
OK his excellent voice. Tie chorus was Especially
| dne aYd after the sermon the entire iorce
| or the choir was brought into requistion for
the Credo which was sung III nat. The solelnnty
or the composition beautifully exhibited in tile
| LtcdiTlatuS d Ter0eto in a nat Icr soprano, tenor
and bass. Madame Chome has lost none OF the fine
qualltes OF her vocal powers, singing now as ever
| With tnat genuine appreciation OF the music ana O
depth Ol leeling that always mark the true artist.
| She was ably assisted by Mir. Henry SchInitz, the
tenor, and subsequently, by Mrs Werner. the con.
| t.alto. AT the onertory u choice selection from
Moses IN Egypt" was played WIN exquisite effect,
which also nignt be SAID OF the oalutlfS sung py
Mr. Sollst. The 1ghus Del, delightful aud iMprcs
| sive piece, again brought our Madame Chome, The
chorus accompaniment being hI9nly creoitable. A
| grand and appropriate Poioaa Sc, brilliantly per-
formed by Mr.. Schlnltz brought the services u
close, which terminated shortly after twelve oclocA.