The New York herald., 1871-03-06
CagaCH or lHE NATIVITY.


The Definition of sin-Necossity for Imme-
diate Repensance-Sermon by Rev. Father
Everett.
THIS little church, which shows no pretension to
beauty on the outside, Is a handsome structure
within, and under the able charge Of the Rev.
Father Everett "a convert to Cathoiicty), together
with the assistance OF the amiable Father Ducy has
noble congregation, and OF whom Father Ducy
has justly said. .'rney do not come for pomp and
show; they are all attracted here by the fear and
love OF the Lord.r
High mass was celebrated yesterday by the Rev.
T, ]. Ducy, the service OF which was admirably
assisted by excellent choir under the direction Of
the ganist, Mr.. Frederick White. The sermon
was delivered BY the Rev. William Everett who
took for first chapter the Epstle Of st.
John.
The reverend father then said:--My dear brethren,
during the holy season OF Lent we must give our
whsle attention to the goodness and mercy or the
Lord, and by That means purge ourselves OF mortal
sins by the sacrament OF penance. 1t Is IN this way
will be able 10 understand our duties and attain
the end Of Christian. When we think OF Gods
goodness
EVERYTHING APPEARs BRIGHT AND JOYFUL.
But, my dear brethren, have you ever thought OF
Gods WORTH You may not, but your neighbor
may, be bad man. or perhaps somebody else
around you may have offended God Ii we say that
we have not sinned We inJure ourselves the Lord
then knows that the enemy is near, and that we
In danger. Now, as the discussion OF sin viii show
us the Danger which we are constantly getting INTO
by committing sin. We Will give our attention this
morning to It,
THE GENERAL DEFINITION OF SLY,
my dear brethren, Is slupy NV wlIiui Tansgresslon
which Adam had after his iall therefore we inherit
and are conceived In sin. The very object OF cur
additional devotion during the holy season Is 10 beg
Gods pardon and to do penance for our sins. Ii Is
sin against God to mako precept and not TO keep
IL Ii we do that which Is forbidden we
DENY rHE AUTHORITY CT GOD.
God Is then offended; Cod Is indignant because we
you through ms holy disciples tina, you must not
sin, and yet You set HIM at defiance II the eternal
authority SCI at defiance then there is the sin Of
Sins are not al OF equal turpitude, OF equal danger
We ind there is great variety; some arc very bad,
some not SO DAD. But my dear brethren, accord
ting 10 the enornIty OF the SINS, accordingly they
VIII be punished. Now, them we come to
Venial sins may obtain the pardon OF God easily
and more readily than mortal sins. When man tails
into mortal ain the holy Spirit leaves hiu and when
one dies just as lac lives. II death comes unprO.
yded FOR there is nothing can describe the misery OF
that soul. Mortal sln, AZ l have said before. sepa-
rates man nom God, and keeps him IN taat condi-
tien that ne be rescued only by Gods help and
means me rs Of penance and grace Now, let US Under.
stand it rightly. When We say that we have not
sinned we deceive ourselves.
THERE Is NO ONE FREE FROM SIN
on this earth; we ar all Liable TO SIM But we say
tnat Wnefe we nave not cOnmltteQ murder or auul-
tery or because we do not steal or swear, that we
do not sin. Oh. my dear brethren, do not be de-
ceived. You may think c0ntenteuly that there are
others who nave Slnned more than you have. The
Lord has said that for all sins, matter how large
or small you must account on the day OF judgment.
Now, my dear brethren, mortal sin Kills the soul by
Withdrawing the grace OF Cod. But this abandon.
ment OF Gods Spirit is not total; there Is little
spark left, which. II
FAMED BY FEAR AND LOVE,
will grow larger and brighter until the soul is again
Illuminated w,tn the spirit OF God God is love
Jiyuap md lie " ig nd Vh
has light. God hates sin and, therefore. because He
hates Bin He hates the sinner. Therefore, when any
one has been so unfortunate as to commit SIN, he
should obtain ins ant relief Now, we are all promo
TO commit SIM we are vain, we are egotistcai. This
SELF-RELIANCR PREVENTS oUk HUMILITY
hinders lrom gaining nowledgc OF ourselves
and makes us go through this LIE III bind stupidity,
and consequently we place too much confidence In
ourselves instead OF God. We emust be wise just In
proportion as we understand mankind. Careless.
against most In iiie IL brings US into mortal SIM
and we see not what the real condition of things
around us, aud In the end what have We done IN
comparison 10 what we should have done as Chris
uansS During tile Lent we are 10 understand what
our condition really is and we must discuss our
future welfare
GODS MERCY rs WAITING,
and Ii we repent at last and II We arc sincere Ged
Will give Us His pardon. But we do not know when
We will die. We may not be able u ask Gods par
vour sins while you have strength. DO Gods works
end he Will have mercy on you; for while VIC have
health nnd strength we must ask Gods pardon He
will give II 10 us we ask 1t with good heart and
be truly penitent. He Will show mercy 10 US. SO,
then let despair; let our efforts be bolder
and booer. Have confidence In ourselves and the
Almighty God VIII pour His blessings on US forever.