The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-12
PUNGATORY.
Lecture by the Rev. Thomas s.. Preston.

Lecture by the Rev. Thomas 8. Preston.
The Advent discourses delivered by the Rev.
Thomas $. Preston, in st. AIMS, have been very
largely attended, not only account of
the intellectual requirements OF the reverend
gentleman, and his well-known ability to
deal with questions affecting the doctrines
and practices OF the Catholic Church, bat also be-
cause the topics he has selected for consideration
are OF the deepest interest to those who give faith.
ful adherance to the dogmas OF Cathocity. Last
evening Father Preston, in the presence OF a
crowded congregation, discoursed upon
THE DOCTRINE OF PURGAToRy.
Before proceeding to Tho subject Of his lecture he
announced that the collection TO be taken up would
be for the benefit OF the new church, which would
be dedicated on the 1st OF January next,
at half-past ten O'Clock in the forenoon, the
Archbishop preaching on that occasion, anu
In the evening, the came day. at vespers
there would be discourse by the Right Rev. Dr.
Loughlin, Bishop Of Brooklyn. He uather Preston
would suggest to ms friends who now present.
and who saw the necessity OF larger accommoda-
lions, to attend the dedication OF the new church
He would be glad to welcome in the new and larger
church all those who mad hitherto worshipped Ia the
little church they We're about TO leave.
He then read from the third chapter OF the first
Epistle OF st. Paul TO the Corinthians to the effect
that other foundation no man can lay but what was
laid in Christ Jesus; that every mans work should
be made manifest, and that fire would Try every
mans work, OF what sort II was. lie SAID that he
was 70 speak to them tonight upon what was surely
OF the greatest concern 10 hem lOr II concerned .ne
state oil their souls aIter death.
THE FIRST OBJECT or ANY RELIGION
should be 10 give man some n1ormation or what his
condition would be alter death. ANY religion that
could bring them to the portals OF the grave and
leave them there Without Information as TO what
woud be the condition OF their souls after death was
unworthy Of the or religion. IL was the ooect
OF religion to guide TO their supernatural end ana
show them their destiny beyond the grave. They
knew that uDe life they lived here was only ipe
beginning OF their exlssence after death, ana there
was before them the great question, What would
be their destiny after deaih7 What would be his
destiny alter ne gave his soul 10 God That was tue
great question That concerned their souls. Ii they
asked the different religions by which Catholicty
was surrounded TO give Information as to
THE LIVE BEYOND THE GEAvE
they were unable TO do 80. There were religions
apounding with moral sentiment End holding many
OF the truths OF the Catholic Church; but they DIFF
fcred In regard 10 the State OF the soul acr death.
ana they could give no decided OF strict answer 10
the question, What became OF the soul betweens
the day OF death and the DAY OF rcsur-
rectiOn? These were questions IN regard 10
ought not q be the case. They had right to de-
inand OF religion that sought to guide them to
their supernatural destiny that II should speak
plainly. They must demand That OF q religion that
came from God. HOW was he to obtain Inc salvation
Of his soul2 What was 10 become OF him If he died
OF God2 The Catholic doctrine OF p,rgatory hIed
up that mystery IN the scheme OF revealed religion
which was wanting In The Protestant scheme.
Professionals d1ered much from each other, yct none
OF them gave any idea Of
SOULS THAT DIED IMPERFECT
and were not prepared 10 enter into tue presence or
all that was pure and holy. He spoke To them OF "a
doctrine that was not newt was old as the
Catholic Church itself; it had existed as long as
Christianity, though there were some persons who
said the doctrine was new. II thore was anything
the doctrine which such persons did not understand
1t was because they mad adopted opinions that
novel. because they had been trance since their
chidhood in ignorance of what was known to me
world until within Tie last 800 years, al the time OF
the Reformation. The doctrine OF purgatory
was not only the doctrine OF the Catholic
but also the doctrine OF the Jewish
Church. IL stood In the very nature OF things. In
the very nature OF man II was necessary doftrine
to the existence of God in relation with man, the
creature whom he made. II he could show IRON
the truth and reason Of history and also from Tie
scriptures
UNDENIABLE PROOFS
OF the doctrine OF purgaory, his argument was un-
answerabe and must bring conviction to every
mind. The reverend gentleman then prcceeGcu 10
show that the doctrine oil purgatorY wss estss.