The New York herald., 1871-01-16
ST. JAMES, CATHOLIC CHURCH.

ST. JAMES, CATHOLIC CHURCH.
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Solemn Mass by Father McKenna-EI EIoquent
Sermon by Father Farrelly-ssAccounsing
for Our Stewardship
The most effectual and exalting admonitions OF
religion consist In what may be termed work-a-day
sermons, filed with home thrusts that are sure to
reach the nobest portions Of our nature, set our
hearts aglow with charity and our heads thinking
How true IL is that evangeic teachings instead Of
conflicting with what are called worldly interests
best serve to render them really enjoyable.
The large congregation OF the faithful that at
tended St James, yesterday forenoon, during the
celebration Of the solemn mass by the Rev. E.
McKenna, had an opportunity OF listening to a ser.
mon Of the kind to which alluslon Is made. Father
Farrely preached taking for his text the gospel of
the day, Luke XVI, 1S:-"How is 1t, that hear tins
OF theeS Give an account OF thy stewardship, for
thou mayest be no longer steward.n Repeating this
verse. ne began:-We are all stewards Of Lord OF
q jealous ana -@es Ms4
MOST ExAcTING MASTER
and our stewardship is rwo-fold In its nature. We
sessions the one Of the earth eatny the other Of
u.s. not indeed from any right existing within u.s.
or from any worthiness our part but simply be.
piness or unhappiness win altogether depend upon
the good or bad use that we make OF these fayors
n1, AND gracss: xs Let me- then In an unadorned dis
which man IS indebted 70 sod, tss anc 'or Of
required TO give rigorous account There are
natural and supernatural trusts. Unaer the former
circumstances Lhar belong thereto God has en-
dowed us with heart to love Him, q mind to honor
Him with all It's faculties. and soul to prepare
tsen by conformity TO Hls Will here, TO adore Hin
and
ENJOY HIM THROUGH ETERNITY.
And Tor The use that man may make OF these trusts
reposed In him. he shall. as before observed give
strict account. Besides, there are The circumstances
with more advantages than others, with riches and
honors. Others are born with minds that entlte
them to the name, the praise the distinction or
ences In the development OF mems bodies. ROBUST
frames, healthy constitutions and the charms OF
beauty may be lavished with b0unteous hand on
some, while OTHERS struggle through the difficulties
OF LIE with delicate, sckly bodies, burden 10
providence OF God, and from the man born to the
greatest wealth, tling the highest position, and
the world, down through the intervening degrees
OF mediocrity to
Without riches or honor all must give an ac-
count OF their stewardship IN proportion as they
have been favored. Each man will be Judged ac-
MIN, Tor every one OF us receives more or less OF
spiritual grace. as well as OF natural gifts. There
either for the performance OF some great WORK or
through this sanctiU Of their lives. On them He
pours @ the rich waters Of IA As grace. The blessed
saints received mighty Rraces rsm the Almighty; but
we have debt OF our own TO pay, and must do it II
gifts are generally estimated by their value this one
OF yonrs without price-It is the great boon OF be-
which none can be saved. Add to these the special
graces which each one, now and then, experience
IN aious as WAYS H ana ia there win ps great Of
ment that you have received, for every confession
that yon have made, preparatory to The receiving
the body and blood OF Jesus Christ you viii have to
give a strict answer in the great day. What use,
then, have you been making OF the graces bestowed
ture and grace work In harmony9 Does the wealth
you possess bear heavenly well as an earthly IN
terestf Are you poorY Be not dlsheartened. Jesus
Christ the Saviour OF mankind, pleased TO live
In the lowliest condition, and thus mas sancrined
poverty. Are you filed with nonorY Heaven is the
highest honor OF all. Are you fond OF pleasures
THIS world has no pleasure TO content the yearnng
soul such as God has prepared for you in the other
II you serve Him. Are you frowned upon by fortune
and prosecuted by wicked menY
BLESSED SAID THE SAVIOUR ARE THEY THAT sUF-
,or FER rERsE0UIIoN r FOR JUSTICE SAKE,
the power 70 Be saved I Let ss ca aaSe yoSs aSs
sooa but the a[@ost little unaes
There is state. circumstance condition OF lite
except, indeed, 1t be sinful or leading to sn-incOm-
patibe with tie proper discharge Of our steward.
ship. In every situation OF life we be faithful to
God all that Is wanted Is good will 1t is not
sary for the king 10 lay down his crown, the virgin
To lay down her wreath, the student to give up the
exquisite delights that he sips at the fountain of
wisdom, TO lead lives In conformity with the CON-
mandments. Let every man abide In the calling In
which 1t pleases God TO place him. Moses left the
humble life OF shepherd to become the leader OF
GODS people; Gideon left his straw-thatched home
to glrd on the generals sword and become the
saviour OF his nation. The Saviour sent back
THE MAGI WHO CAME TO LAY THEIR CROWNS AT
HIS FEET
and did not compel them TO abandon their positions
neither dld He change the condition OF the snep-
herds 10 whom He first revealed the mystery OF His
incarnation. consecrated virgin Is not the only
one called to be saved. The industrious servant
girl finds no less favor In the sight OF God II she be
faithful in the discharge Of her duties The busy
laborer the sklul mechanic cannot spend so much
time IN prayer as men with more leisure and vet 10
them there Is the road TO salvation opened up II
they but endeavor 10 discharge their duties with
purity OF intention.
THE 'LONGsHUREMAN
and the good housewife have the same means of
gaining heaven spread out to them tnat people In
more easy circumstances have. provided they use
Shem Tor labor sancted with purity Of Intention Is
continued prayer, and patience under mlslortuAes
sweet sacrifice to the Almighty. In whatever cir
cumstances OF life, then in which God has placed
You you are accountable Tor the gifts graces re-
ceiyed Sanctlfy your labor into prayer ana you
will De rewarded not only with peace OF conscience
In this lie, but with the blessings and possession Of
unspeakable Joy in the world TO come.