The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-06-27

The Lost Sheep-Sermon by the Rev. LIr.
Mct;eav.

Ihc LOST sheep-Sermon by the lev. hlrs
McCeap.
A large congregation assembled In the Roman
Catholic Cathedral at the high mass yesterday morn
ing. Though the day was intensely not, and it was
aperfect penance to remain within the heated walls OF
the church for SO long period, yet there ap.
parent difference In the number OF worshppers, ana
certainly no elimination in their rure, UNAFFECTED
religious feryor. In this lies the distinguishing
feature OF Catholic plety that 1t is nowise affected by
the height OF the thermometer, ana that their
churches are as well filed when the ground is
covered with SNOW or when the drizzng, pitt
less rain falls continuously down, as when
the glorious spring sun makes all nature
radiant With its beams ana invites all to worship
the Creator. The contrary holds for those churches
requeDted by the butterflies OF fashion, whose reli
glon, TO all appearances, Deepen DIS upon the state Of
the weather. no person, however cynically Inclined
aud no matter what his persuasion might be- could
fail TO be struck with the
DEEP RELIGIOUS FEELING
which peryaded The congregation OF 81. PatIick's
yesterdai. An awful Stiffness preyailed only pro-
ken by the solemn tones OF The organ, in harmony
with The sweet voices OF the choir "a they performed
the grand compositions Of Mendellsohn and Mozart
In aultes3 styles and as The subdued rays OF the sun
ghnted lhrpu n me many-hued windows, Shedding
soltened light over chancei and sanctuary,
over the pTlesIs in their rich mems aad the
worshlppers rapt IN adora,ion the feeling was ire
sistibe 10 fall down and join that
SUBLIME RELIGIOUS EXERCISE
Here was IN truth every element OF the poetry OF
religion, and hard indeed must needs be the heart of
that man VINO could look on whouJ feeiIng all that
Is good IN him stirred up by the Tondrous spectacle
OF a people bowed down before the Almighty. After
the Gospel Rev. Nj McGean, gentleman OF a most
benlgnant and spirnelle expression OF countenance,
delivered brief bat touching ana e.oluent discourse
on the parable Of
THE LOST SHEEP.
He commenced ny reating the beautiful Gospel
narrative how shepherd lost sheep out OF O
flock OF one hundred, and leaving the ninety .nine
went III search OF the lost one, and wnen he found
IL placed II on his shoulders returned reoi .lng
In like manner, said our Lord, there Il
more Joy IN heaven over one sinner Who does
pennance than over ninetynne just. In this par
another Of consolation. Our Lord wished TO re-
prove the Pharlsee5, who in their hypocrisy looked
down upon the pabllcans and considered them SIN
ners OF the ackest die. Christians should learn
from this not TO Judge rashy persons who may ill
peculiar positions IN this life nor condemn men
simply because they arc wealthy. This feeling is
from the minds OF all true believers. The second
lesson is most consoling All men are sinners ana
must feel themselves
UNWORTHY or SALVATION,
bat Our Lord, in this parable, has given all men
hope il they only repent. lie came on earth 70 re.
| deem and to save Sinners and however deep
| in SIN they may be yet they can be saved.
| Though their Sins may be red as scarlet
| they shall be male winter than snow. He Is the
Good Shepherd, who VIII not allow one of His mock
| to go astlay In Ills Infinite mercy He viii not
allow any, II possible, TO perish. Ills Joy over the
repentance of sinner is very great and though His
| heart yearns towards those who have always re.
prodIgal son killed the lated cai on the return Of
the wanderer AMI received him with tenderness, so
| does Almighty Goi pour forth HIS mercies abun-
dainty OH repentant sinners. This snOnd inspire a
sweet hope IN the mercy OF GOD, but at the same
time should not induce men to entertain wicked
presumption and continue in their evil ways, assured
o pardon IN the end. This latter feeling Is inspired
by the devil and viii assuredy lead to eternal per-
diion.