The New York herald., 1871-12-04

First Sunday OF Advent-Prepnrntion for the
Great Festival of the Nntivity-Sermon by
tho Rev. Father ATcNcrney.
Storm or sunshine there never appears to be any
diminution In the attendance ut the Cathedral; and
yesterday being tine first Sunday OF Advenr-the
period OF four weeks preceding Christ mas appointed
by the Church to be observed IN honor OF the ap-
proach Of the anniversary OF Christs nattvty-tte
edlnce was crowded TO the doors. The last mass
was commenced at half-past ten O'Clock, the Rev.
Father Kearney oflcating as celebrant At the
conclusion OF the nrst gospel, the Rev. Father
McNerney asccnded the pulpit and before preach
ing the sermon reminded the congregation that the
collections taken up at all the masses would be ap.
proprlated towards the completion OF
THE NEW CATHEDRAL
The Most Reverend Archbishop McCtOskey he
said, had the finishing OF the Grand Temple very
much at heart; and as 1t would DO monument co
the memory Of his ustrious predecessor. who
would ever be gracefully remembered by the faith
full 1t was the duty and desire OF Catholics to assist
in its speedy erection. The reverend gentleman
took his text from tho Epstle TO the Romans xiii,
11-12-"And that, knowing the time that now It ,s
high time 10 awake out OF Sleep for now is our sal.
walton nearer than we believed" The reverend
gentleman explained that, IN order to awake man.
Kind from the lcthargy OF habit ana Of rontinc and
perchance, to withdraw them from the influence or
criminal criminal pnnss,0n the IN holy mother the Church.
apart certain days when she cxhorted them more par
uculary to approach more closely by ferveat prayer
THE THRONE OF DIVINE GRACE,
and seek greater strength purer consolation in
more serious and more profound contemplation or
God's holy works. During those days she prepared
men for . more devout celebration OF the inyste.
rles OF religion; hence the holy season OF Advent
to prepare in men the WAYS OF God. For ms - cer si
tam dispositions were required: The first should
nj n Ipca
In order to excite more enectually this disposition
there should be considered the wretched condition
lhe coming OF Christ and the depth OF the misery
from which mankind was rescued. With the exccp-
hon OF Ole privileged people all the nations OF the
eartn were Immersed IN
THE GRoSSEsr ipoLArRY.
authorized and The worship OF false gods rcigued
supreme. The original sentence pronounced
against our first parents still he'd mankind under
closed against them. IL was from all TINS
that Christ came to free them ny taking upon Him.
the % rights Of his innsri'ance and showed him ' the
pain 10 heaven. Another disposition should be
ardent desire tnat blessed Lord should enter
our hearts. This advent or coming OF Christ into
tered therein by his grace and by the communication
OF His holy spirit Whatever advantage Christians
pended upon HIS coming inlo the heart and soul OF
man and his entrance into thus world would avail
nothing n lie look not possession or our souls by
Ills divine grace Is should he the desire Of all
Christians to procure this divine coming OF Christ
into our souls otherwise the grear mystery OF the
Incarnation would individually avail us nothing.
Tne third disposition men should entertain during
the holy season OF Advent, should be one 0i
SORROW AND CONJUNCTION
TO awaken In our hearts the most heartfelt contri
tien. The Church called attention not only TO the
first divine entrance or Christ as the redeemer OF
,ne world, but also to the time when He would
appear as Its just Jndge, when he would re-
ward every mau according to his works. The
reverend gentleman concluded BY urging on the
congregation the necessity OF prayer and mortldca.
ton. They should at least by their good VIII and
the earncstness OF their disposition supply other
deficiencies. They sn0ud he calm in their thoughts,
In their words and In their actions and tney should
endcavor Z overcome every vicious habit by avoid
ing every sin which heretofore had been the obsta
Gle IN the way OF their salvation. by doing this
Christ would euter into their hearts aI the close Of
the holy season in
THE SACRAMENT oP HIs LOVE.
The musical selections were as usual, appropriate
and well rendered. Thev included "Kyrie'' by
Haydn, "Credon BY Chemu, and tine "Sanctus" ana
"Agnus Del, by A. Van Bell. At the otIcr.ory The
"Giorta Patr," beautiful terzett0 was sung by
Nine. Chome tsoprano), Mr.. Groschel (tenor aud Mr..
Urchs tbaritonej, Professor Gusiavus Schmlz. "a
usual, presiding at the organ. The services termi-
mated about noon.