The New York herald., 1871-02-06
ST. PETERS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Sermon by the Rev. Father MrNenna-The
Church spread Of Cathoiirity-. Catholic
Faifh-Religlon in America.
High mass was yesterday celebrated at st Peters
church. in Barclay street, by the Rev. Father Allen
OF Halifax. As usual IN this church, the congrega
ticn was large and the ceremonies aud the singing
were OF that solemn character which usually attends
Divine worship in this Old and sacred edifce. The
music was Benzs mass for four voices which is en-.
tirey chorus, without solos. Yesterday being
sEPrUAGEsiMA SUNDAY
there was Giorfn either read or sing. The choir,
under the direction or Professor Iecher organlst.
consisted of Miss Brickel, soprano Miss Munnier,
alto; Mr. Amend; tenor; Mr.. Stand basso-Mrs.
Easton and Mr. Iemmer being absent. After
the first Gospel the Rev. Father McKenna,
pastor of the Church of St. Rose OF Leona, in Can
non street, asccnded the pulpit and preached q
mon from the Gospel OF ST. Matthew, Kill, 81, 81
"Anotner parable put lie forth unto them, saying,
the kingdom Of heaven is like to grain Of mu stard
seed which man took and sowed in his field;
which indeed is the least or all seeds, but when it is
grown 1t is the greatest among herbs and becometh
tree that the birds OF the air come and lodge In
the branches thereof" The Church OF God on earth
is beauii fully iyplfed BY the mustard seed men,
toned IN the Gospel. When Christ established his
whom He made His disciples and taught the doc,
trne upon which has been raised the Catholic
Church ol Goa. spread throughout all the world.
Century after century has
THIS SPIRITUAL KINGDOM
enlarged Itself and scattered over the world the
seeds OF the Gospel. Puri1ed by prosecutions from
withD and without, each age has brought its own
trumphs and gores, and convinced men that the
infinite love OF Its founder was ever supporting 1t
ana breathing lnto all its councils the fervor OF
faith which Is needed for salvation. 1t has ever
astonlshed even The most sceptca OF how
The Church has been able to overcome every OBJ
CRUSH HER OUT OF EXISTENCE
n a 1nNty ,f hNr Anya
excited when thev have paused 10 behold the vast
ness of her resources aud the splendor OF her do
niuion. In tracing the steps OF progress our molly
religion has made all over the world II is mpos
slble not to see plainly and unmistakably the fuh-
ment OF
cHRIsT's PROMISE TO HIS APOSTLES.
u shall be with you all days, even to the end
OF s Inc World , Where s una, Una. 2 spot IN tne W wh9e
new law is not offered The prophecy Of Malachi Is
world; from the rising TO the setting OF the sun.
LEFT HOME AND COUNTRY
to preach and spread the word OF God and show,
by the example OF their own lives, and In thousands
OF scs by the example of their deaths, what re-
ltgion, that was that Christ came on Earth to
establish. No country has been too remote,
100 unclvilized too lltayored in any way to deter
INTO the vast wilderness roaming over sea and
land,
IN ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD
the Catholic priest has been found and whornver
the seed was sown it grew, like the mustard seed to
grand proportions, and those that had been In the
found and shelter from 1t. Nohovel is too poor
no palace too splendid no person is too ignorant,
OF the Gospel, Or 10 bow down IN humble submis-
sion to the Savlonrs commandments and those OF
His Church. Faith, humble and submissive, active
and living universal and firm is what God re1nires
We who are finite, cannot pretend 10 understand
the Infinite. Can we understand the nnnitudc OF
Gods work in
SPREADING HIS HOLY CHURCH
all over the world, or understand within the power
OF our poor. weak minds the Omnlpotent will that
blessed with Inspirations our fellow men who were
martvred In caring for lost souls IN heathen lands
1t Is absolutely necessary for us TO have faith IN
God and to conquer all temptations of The DEVIL that
have for their object other end than to excite In
US foolish pride In our own weak powers. Here
spirit of independence when the blessings OF a
free country enable all or enjoy should not be
allowed to creep into subjects that pertain only 10
God and our own souls
ALI. MEN ARE CREATURES
but God is infnite I'm each and every o. esr
attributes. Says st. Paul to the Romans. sl.st
see another law IN my members warrlng ages sgle.
law OF my mind, ana bringing me into captivryt 10
tho law OF SIN which Is in my members.n There
must be struggle made when tue evil tcmpter pre-.
sents the attering thought that easily leads into
the captivity Of SIN Without strength from the
Giyer OF all blessings The war might result in favor
OF the ever-working enemy to mans eternal happi-
ness.
The reverend preacher went oh to say that catho-
lies should feel proud OF the evidences OF
faith presented IN the large number OF Catno-
lic Church edbces which are to be seen
In this city, and pr0uder stil in knowing
that even stll the increase of the Catholic popua-
ton necessiiated the erection OF new churches. 1t
was pleasing rejection that all over this vast coun-
try the Catholic religion was
MAKING SUCH GREAT ADVANCES,
and that churches were mnltiplying--that the seed
rcapcd. He then explained TO the congregation the
reason OF his addressing them on that occasion.
was permitted to receive the collection OF thai Sun.
day at st. Peters In aid OF the ncw church he HIM
sell was building FOR his parish liz Cannon street.
The collection was made at the usual l!lne during
the mass.