The New York herald., 1871-03-13
ST. yeHN,s ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

The Rclapsng Sinncr-NIon's Contempt and
Perfidy-God's Mercy and Judgmcnt-Sor-
mon by the Rev. Michael Hiclxie.
Notwithstanding the inclemency OF the weather
yesterday morning there was a large attendance at
high mass at st. Jonn's Roman Catholic church,
South Brooklyn. After the first gospel the Rev.
Michael Hick1e assembled the pulpit, and preached
sermon from the gospel OF the day, Luke xi., 90
"And the last state of that man becomes worse than
the first" Indeed 1t is, said the preacher for to re-
lapse into sin Is to return to 1t again, after having
renounced 1t by sincere repentance. This is So be-
by such act there is offered to God special
contempt,
A SPECIAL ACT OF PERFIDY,
and an ingrattude which renders the unfortunate
aggressor most hateful IN His divine sight. Moth
ing involves a more pointed contempt OF anything
than the deliberate anu voluntary preferment OF its
opposite, ana the more deliberate and voluntary Is
the choice the more signal the contempt. II this be
true there is no good mixed up with the evi. 1t
may be said that sin Is committed to acquire
REPUTATION, HONORs, RICHES
or the like but what are these in comparison with
the sovereign good? Still, not even for such as
these is sin committed for the most part, but to
crafty some vain curlosity-sOme lurking, latent
hatred or spirit Of revenge-0r to satisfy the fresh
purity OF body and soul. The wretch who offends
his Csd violates promise freely and most solemnly
merciful Master, whose pa.don he had so humply
sought. forcing from Him
THAT wITHERING SENTENCE,
GLOW vile thou art made by repeating thy ways,
which thou hast forsworn.'' Still, marked though
be the contempt and base the per1dy which this SIN
OF relapse contains, yet both combined do not offend
God so much, or render the unhappy soul SO loath-
some or worthless In His sight, does the ingrati-
can best be understood when we reflect upon the
number and excellence Of the benefits received
from Him and the Ill returns made to Him. A mer-
rifI aft 1nAS ia yhotn hn
made Of the blessings He has already given him.
when again, in answer to the sinners supphcation
for pardon,
MERCY is AGAIN DEALT OUT TO HIM.
but rather looks to the penltent heart and the
earnest resolve Tor future amendment. The deep
scars made by sin in the soul the Saviour nealed;
peace, Joy and tranquility, of which the soul had
been robbed He restored; new life ne infused into
1t. and once more gave 1t the light ana claim to
eternal happiness. The arm of Divine justice, which
was
and which he, poor helpless creature had no means
OF arresting, instead OF falling upon MIN with q
crush OF terrible vengeance was extended toward
him, not alone in forgiveness, but even in love and
friendship. But in return for this accumulation OF
favors the reapsng sinner endeavors. as Tar as in
reign Loro and benetactor, crucfying him anew and
piercing His heart VITA thorn more painful tnan
one Of those that In His sacred passion
CAUSED THE BLOOD TO TRIcKLE
from His sacred temples. Thus is sin so far as 1t
affects Ged. Viewed as y ravages the soul itself,
sinners Reconciliation with God in the tribunal Of
penance his Creator consents to come and dwell
with him. He brings with Him the richest and
choicest ornaments and thus makes the sinners
ssul an object of complacency to the most Holy
Trinity and Of delight TO the angelic SPIRITS The
beauties Of which sin had robbed 1t again shone
forth with lustre, to make more than verified
the expression Of the Holy Scriptures that Il was "a
fountain sealed up, garden enclosed.n The devil
being banished from the soul, goetn about
SEEKING ANOTHER RESTING PLACE,
but not being able to find returns TO the house
whence he had been driven. The house, however,
Is now 50 well guarded, the walls OF Its enclosed
garden are 50 high and strong, that he fears to
seek an entrance by himself. Yet SO beautiful and
lonely IS this abode for 'lt is empty swept and gar
nished" that his fendlsh malice IS Influenced to dc.
stroy It's comeiiness. Whereupon ''he goeth and
taketh with HIM seven other spirits more wicked
than himself, and entering they dwell there and
the last state OF tnat man becomes worse than the
first" Assuredly 1t is SO, and hence the imperative
necessity Of fulfilling
THAT DIVINE INJUNCTION
from our divine Lord, "Watch We and pray lest We
enter temptation In the holy season OF Lent those
VINO, ike the person mentioned III the Gospel, are
dumb should at once approach the tribuna! Of
penance that they may be healed; and those who
are in this state OF grace should remember con.
santly the words Of our divine Lord in relation to
the reapslDg sinner.