The New York herald., 1870-06-20
ST. PAuL's ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

ST. PAuL'S ROMAN CAyEOL{C CHURCH.
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Return OF Father HecIer from ROmc-Pro-
Rress Of the EcunienicaI Council--Discourse
Upon tho Present State of Affairs in tho
Holy City-Impressive Ceremonies.
The return OF Father Hecker from Rome and the
announcement that he would deliver discourse
upon the condition of affairs IN that city,
attracted to St. Paul's church yesterday vast
congregation. Moreover, the solemn festival OF
the Forty Hours Alteration was being brought
TO close, so that everything considered
the occasion was of considerable interest to the
faithful, and long before the proceedings com
menced the spacious though unpretending temple,
which is situated on Fifty-ninth street and Ninth
avenue, was crowded to the doors. Hotter if possi-
Die, than any day that preceded it. the oppressive
ness Of the weather yesterday doubtless deferred
many fr0m venturing out OF doors; yet dur
ing the long three hours OF worship at st.
Pauls the crowded asssemDage paid sincere tribute
to the Creator with unmistakable earnestness.
Every one seemed to appreciate the grandeur ana
solemnity Of the ceremonies, and with a reverence
ana respect that spoke volumes for their feelings the
congregation bowed IN heartfelt devotion while the
burning rays of dazzling sun streamed through
the windows Of the church. Athalfpast ten O'Clock
THE PROCESSION
issued from the vestry. The spectacle was highly
imposing and when the strains of the organ broke
softly upon the ear as the long array OF clergymen,
acoytes and assistants slowly surrounded the altar
the effect was such as to arouse the reli-
gious feelings OF those present. Solemn high
mass was then commenced, the Rev. Father
Spencer officiating as ceebrant the Rev. Father Lake
as deacon. and the Rev. Father Dwyer as sub
deacon, anc the Rev. Mr.. Brady as master of cere-
monies. The altar was brilliantly Illuminated with
many lights while ITS handsome architectural beauty
was much enhanced by tasteful display OF the
choicest flowers. Hay ydn's Mass No. was per-
formed with 1ne effect, large and eficient chorus
giving splendid Interpretation to those portions Of
the composition where strength and harmony were
most required.
FATHER HECKER's SERMON
At the termination Of the first gospel the Rev:
Father Hecker ascended the altar aud, amidst the
most profound silence proceeded TO deliver his dis
course. The reverend gentleman took his text
which sets forth the excuses made by
those who had been invited to supper,
purchased oxen aad third having married v wife,
and descriptive of the master sending ior his SER
want TO the highways and bringing TO the banquet The
poor and the manned and the halt and the blind
The concluding verse Of the text beng For
say unto you that none OF those men which were
bdden shall taste of my supper" Father Hecker
also ADDED a text from the Acts OF the
Apostles, XIV, I, land when there had been
much dsputing Peter rose up and said unto them,
Men and brelnren ye know how that good while
ago God made choice among Us, that the Gentles by
nv mouth should hear the word OF the Gospel and
believe" In his Introductory remarks Father
Hecker returned thanks to the congregation
for the prayers which had been offered
months He trusted he had returned renewed in
zeal, renewed In his resolution to labor more faith
fully, and he hoped with more strength to perform
his duties. His purpose now was 10 make few
remarks-few remarks because Of the heat OF the
day and the length of the ceremomes-and those
remarks would contain some reflections concerning
THE PRESENT STATE OF THINGS
IN the Holy Council. If any one should have said
fifteen or twenty years ago that great event. one
OF the greatest events, perhaps the greatest event. of
age, would be the General Council Of the Cath
olic Church In the city Of Rome, such a man would
have been regarded as an Idle dreamer
q religious enthusiast. AT that period or
about that period revolution was triumphant in
ministers were predicting the downia OF the whole
Church and her enemies mad begun 10 sing The song
OF victory and JOY over the dead body OF Catholicism.
But the fact now stared one In the face that no event
OF this day mad SO taken hold the public attention.
al 3ns Hdy ITS q the sc nT Coo p
TX. on the Sth December, 1859. And was this
to be wondered at9 He thought not when the limits
that constituted 1t were considered. Some imagined
they could pass by the Council of the Holy Church
something insignificant. Nations dreamed that IL
was Of no importance, but somehow they had
entirely changed their tactics. Even Protestant
nations had thought SO much OF
IT'S GREAT SIGNIFICANCE
that they had ventured TO threaten the Council
In it should undertake to abridge the liberty Of
the Holy Church. And no one took more interest in
what was going on In the Holy City than the prime
ministers OF Protestant nations, and especially the
one OF England. Had they considered the limits
c eae e woqS at se ee
OF the Council; If they looked at their education,
supposing they had a common amount OF intelli-
gence; II they looked at the great interests the
members OF the Council represented-if they re.
garded the number OF persons ana the extent Of
territory they represented-t must be acknowledged
that the Vatican Council
THE MOST AUGUST ASSEMBLAGE
that there was any kn0%ieage Of Of IN the history OF
conld bear any comparison with II; Consider, then,
the elements Of the Council; consider also the work
matters together, the Council had done already a
very great and important. work IN @ removing
occupying every avenue Of imparting know
ledge to the world. Concerning the Council,
az Rome Tne press was eemg with ,s books and
The teegraphic lines and cables across the Atlantic,
the newspapers, the pulpits all the avenues OF Inn
pccSped Ms reons truth And + the Coanc
had no other effect Oh the outside world
than that, he augured from it happy conclusion.
1Or truth. Once get mans mind turned towards
It, once get him to recognize it, and that recognition
would bring the aspiration to his will and the affec-
ton to his heart and might It not be hoped that
ONE OF THE GREAT RESULTS
OF the Council would be great cOnquestS outside the
told Of the holy Church. Again, when the great
work that doing was considered, the great fruits
OOrne 10 tue BOSOM OF tne Cnurcn were apparent
One OF the greatest works before 1t was to
discover. to divine and to disclose those truths
winch the blessed Lord and for all had given to
His Church and left In her keeping. Now for
that work what was INSTRUMENTATION And
whyY First TO lind out whether the truth was con-
taned In the written word OF God, ana secondly
whether 1t was confirmed by the belief OF all the
faithful during all time and everywhere. Now,
imagine for d moment seven hundred men Of educa-
tion, their whole attention directed 10
and absorbed IN this great work. People
could easily imagine what amount OF intellectual
activity aGd what amount of light must all flood on
those questions before them. What had they to do?
They read, they studied the Holy Scriptures. lie