The New York herald., 1871-04-08
SERVICES AT ST. PETERS CHURCH.

Tho Passion and Dea,h al Ghrist-Discourso
by Father Nascnt.
At the ten O'Clock mass yesterday at st. Peters
Roman Catholic church, in Barclay street, the Rev.
Father Nugent, OF Liverpool, preached the sermon
OF the day. On opening his discourse the reverend
gentleman said:-The Church on this day. like a
grief-stricken spouse, sits at the foot OF the
cross and calls upon her children to witness
the sorrow which transfxes her heart Her
sacred rites and ceremonies are broken and inter-
rupred the altar is stripped Of Its ornaments, the
sanctuary is laid bare. the mournful chant and
every word OF the sacred Office bespeak the abyss OF
suffering and sorrow Of the cruciiiXlon While the
outward world moves in Its ordinary groove, un-
mindful or despislng the anniversary OF Christ's
death, while men are just as intent on bust
ness, politics pleasure the Church, clothed
in the garb OF mourning, with tears upon her
cheeks, reveals 10 the world from CaivdTys heights
the mystery OF the passion and death Of Jesus
need not dwell upon the touching incidents OF the
Last supper or the incomprehensible glft-the
New and Eternal Testament, which was
us follow Jesus with HIS tnree chosen ones
beyond the brook OF Cedron INTO tnat garden where
rst in the Garden Ol Eden. He retired little from
His Apostles ana began to pray. wnen there fell to
the grouuG, as II were, stream fiowlns iiom His
sacred mead. 1t is the hrsi outpouring His blood
which Will be shed IN full measure.
with its punishment is cast upon Him, ard like
rone covers HIM: Sin upon the son of God2 SIN
could not touch Ais DIVINITY, but it entered through
while the morat leprosy OF mans guilt
spreads and circulates through HIS frame. 1t
Is tins struggle that forced the blood to
ram down upon the ground. Drop by drop it
trckles down. as in the depths OF is agony He lies
challce may pass from Him, the very thought Of
which made HIS soul sad and sorrcwiul even unto
death.
WHAT WAS TUrs CuAIIcE
the bitterness which saddencd the soul OF Jesus
CHRISTI Ii was the tWofold though. OF the infinite
multitude and magnitude OF the sins u mankind
and the thought OF the numDer or souls who rejected
andsiil would reject the prolered mercy.
Father Nugent went on:-Jesus has passed
along the way OF sorrow. The moment for
at '''N last The soldiers form ma circle; rel, V,iie one
eagerly prepares the nails another digs the
garments and fling Him down upon the cross.
Ihen lhe bodest OF the number seizing the Divine
right hand and, OH God with what an agonIzng
torture. plerces Ii with large. snarp-pOinted nan,
and with repeated blows OF the hammer, fasteas 1t
to the cross. Who can relate 1t without horror ?
Oh, who would not pity mother standing
AT THE FOOT OF TIE GBBEr
on which her son IS expiring Now the last words
OF Jesus trembling on HIS agonzlng lips pierce the
mothers soul; b0wing His mead, He dies, ana mans
redemption is consummated.
Draw close to the foot OF the cross and consider
well what our Lord has suffered. Ii the vesI or hui
man beings had suffered for us what Jesus Christ
has gone through, would anything ever induce us
should be our constant thought, and our only de-
sire or aspiration should be TO return TO Hun who
was lacerated on the crucihx for sins our
never dying LORD. Give US the crucinx, that en-
bem or
THE AGONY OF OUR LORD
and take all the rest. Deprive all else, but do
not touch the sacre cross.
Lord Thou Dearest in Thy hands the rcmem-
brance OF us-asa spouse retains the pledge OF her
beloved one In some precious jewel and clasps 1t
close " hef heart SO we Keep the memory OF the
wounds in our hearts y Christ. After a long ex-
hortatl0n to his hearers to remember the great
lesson OF the day the reverend gentleman con.
Guided with the words 'Into by bands commend
my spirit; Lord Jesus receive my soul"