The New York herald., 1870-03-07
ST. reassA's CHURCH

The Seventh Ward at Prayor-An East Side
Tcmpie OF Religion and ITS Devotees-The
Bible Not the Basis or Chrisfiani y-sermon
by the Rev. Hugh Flnttcry.
stranger unacquainted with the observances Of
the Catholic Church could not fail to be impressed
with the idea that solemn season was being Htly
honored had he been present yesterday In the
sacred ediice dedicated to st. Teresa. Everything
was symbocal OF the holy time OF Lent-the earnest
and devotional bearing OF the congregation, the
crowded state OF the building the grand and sug-
gestiye strains OF music the vestments OF the ceie-
brants, and the general surroundings, all demon
strated an occasion OF prayer, penance and
supplication. The site or st. Teresas Is compara-
| lively Old. Formerly occupied as Presbyterian
church, it was purchased IN 1858 by the Catholic
parishioners at cost OF SAT 900, and dedicated In
| the same year by Archbishop Hughes. Since tnat
time extensive alterations and improvements have
been made upon the building. Under the charge Of
| the Christian Brothers spacious free academy has
been established. and altogether nothing has been
| spared by a generous and benevolent congrega-
ton to further the interests OF the Church.
| The parishoners comprise some OF the wealth.
est and most respectable citizens OF the metropolis
ST. Teresa's now stands monument to their
perseverance, zeal and llberalisy. II may be men,
toned, by the way, that Its annual collection at
Christmas for the orphans was second only TO that
OF the most opuent church In the city. To the exer.
tions OF the Rev. James Boyse the esteemed pastor
the present high standard Of the church Is not
little DUE The trustees Of st. Teresa's are Messrs
Thomas Muldoon and Jeremiah Quinlan, and there
are few churches In the city whose limits are so
severely taxed, so crowded Is 1t on all occasions.
Although afiiuence ana social standing were among
the component parts Of the congregation yesterday,
the toilets while elegant and tasteful were modest ana
nnostentations. Among those OF the members OF
the church occupying pews at the head OF the Gen.
ens 1pe Isle @ were Dr. McSweeny Mr. and Mrs T. j. Cum.
Coroner and Mrs Keenan,, Mr.. and Mrs.. Mrs. Robert Robert
Whitehead Messrs. John Ford, p. MuldOon Richard
Dalton, J. Mccormack, Edward Scuiiy Payton and
others. Although the church was filled in every
portion, the sexton, Mr. Hugh Smith, made cOur-
tanned.
The services commenced at halr.past ten O'Clock.
the Rev. Father Perry officiating as celebrant. At
the termination OF h,s FIRST gospel the Rev. Hugh
Flattery, Who In the absence or Father Boyce, has
theoretically fulfilled the duties OF pastor, preached
an eloquent sermon. The text was taken from the
gospel Of the day, Matthew w., /, IL, describing
tempted BY the devil II The reverend END aene%an n
after some Introductory observations, dllated upon
@ se absIraity q making the knowledge Of the Biole
age believed that to quote Scripture nuenly
was 2 token Of . true Christian II not his
should inevitably follow that the devil was true
Cnristan since he quoted with accuracy from Deu.
saviour OF all the aDsurdites-and their name Is
leglon-whch the human mind has originated in
matters OF religion the most groundless was that OF
Ine su1lclency OF the Bible as rule OF faith Mil
lions OF Christians, even in TINS exaggerated nne-
teenth century, could not read the Bbe other mil
lions lions were blind and could not see the
blind and could pether see nor hear IL
read. Such book could not be
must be universal, accommodated to the capacity of
all classes Of men, sufficiently calculated to capt-
Unt q stuaf V,1nt
and simple that fools could not err theren.u The
history OF the Bible too plainly proved 1t had never
been found To be such. All heresy fell back upon
ls Bible Tor and all 9snd 5 IN i equally
Bi6ie 20 tempt It's author. From its own intrinsic
evidence the Bible therefore, stood an insult
the ascension Of Christ before one line OF
the New Testament was written 1t was
not nntl after the close OF the rst century that
completed. The same principle was maintained In
reference to the Old Testament. The reverend gen.
teman concluded by cOntr0vertfng In learned and
most eloquent manner the assertions made by those
opposed TO the dissemination OF Bible literature.
He called attention to the fact that the first Bible
In existence issued by the Catholic Church, and
1t now on exhibition In a British museum in
LONDON lie secuted any authenticity for this as
sert,on and proved MS points IN an a6s and Logical
TO with devOut attention by the large congregation
present.
Tiie musical arrangements at ST. Teresa's, under
the careful and judcious direction Of MIR. J. r.
Gleason the organist, are In entire tharmOny with
the excellent and cOmmendabe surroundings. Al
though limited the choir Is composed OF well trained
artists OF much capacity ROSSiniS fine mass for three
voices, IN minor, was performed yesterday with
splendid effsct-the sooists, MISS orlon, soprano;
executing their respective parts with great accu-
racy, taste and feeling. The manner In which the
A9nus Del was rendered was especially praisewor-
thy. Mr.. Gleason played a beautiful voluntary ut
the end OF the services, wnicn terminated shortly
alter twelve O'Clock.