The New York herald., 1871-12-18
ST. PATRICK,S CATHEDRAL.

The Advent Soason-Scrm0n by the Rev.
Father RIcNnmee.
There was quite q large congregation at the high
mass services yesterday at st. Patrick's Cathedral
IN Prince street. The Rev. Father NcNamee de.
lvered the sermon. which was brief and to the
point The reverend gentleman, after reading the
Gospel OF the day, diased at some length on the
necessity OF everybody's leading good life 1t was
great mistake. he said. for
MEN OF THE WORLD
who had every day TO battle with the vicisstudes Of
business and worldly to think that they could
go on from day to day doing as they pleased and
never giving thought to God presuming the while
that when the hour OF death came they would then
be able safely TO make their peace with their Maker
and be acceptable to God In the world to come.
This was presumption that was encouraged
It was indeed in danger. Men VINO could liit
their thoughts higher than this world could
70 co on esa,nE an Indifferent and proDaoy
bad l!fe for years treasurlng IN their hearts from
year 20 year the hope, or rather the selr-lmposed
conviction. that when the hour came for them to
leave all here below that they had set tneir hearts
on all would be well, and that the wrongs done In
the past could be atOned for on the deatnOed by
SIMPLE act OF Tor the sins OF their life and
the expression OF sincere determination never
more to again commit sin. Yet what deceit 1t
was, and what LITTLE nope man could have TO be
A BAD LIFE
simply because ne made promise never more to
do In the future what lie mad not the power to do.
Now was the acceptable time for all who wished to
return to GOD and abandon their evil ways.
Though God was terrible In his vengeance he was
intnlIe In his mercy. What man could tell when
he might Oe called 10
GIVE AN ACCOUNT TO GOD
OF all his words, thoughts, deeds and actionsS
And how the uncertainty should make every guilty
one tremble II was yet in the power Ol those who
wished TO turn their back on the past
which had been bad and 10 escape the vengeance OF
God. How could anybody refuse TO listen TO Gods
voice calling upon him TO repent lie was ready
to receive all with open arms. and we were told
how the angels rejoice over the conversion or SIN
ner Gould anybody 10 this holy season OF Advent
refuse ~ near the voice OF the Church The church
eXhorted US now with
A PARENTS YEARNING,
and why should we not respond generously We
should endeayOr to show BY our every act that
we are thankful for having escaped ven.
geanCe and that we are ready 10 become recon-
ciIed to God. As Catholics, the reverend father
said Catholics should SO act as never TO disgrace
CathOlicity. They should be united for the common
good and the glory OF GOd and to become so II was
necessary TO resort to prayer to Almighty Goa. We
were living IN dangerous times and breathing an
atmosphere OF deadly poison. We should torsake
- OUR BAD HABITS
and prepare for eternity. Then at the last day we
would not find ourselves side by side with those
who would receive that awful condemnation OF
"Deparr from me- ye cursed, into everlasting fire."
but who would be welcomed by Christ to a Kingdom
or everlasting happiness.