The New York herald., 1871-12-18
ST. GABREEL'S CsUaCa.

Sermon by Rev. William A. C<.Ne.ll-Frlend-
ship for Christ.
The services in st. Gabrie,s church, IN East
Thirty-seventl street, yesterday, were very solemn
and Impressive and were attended by q large num-
Der Of devout worshippers., The celebrant Rev.
Father Canary, VINO Is gifted with fine voice, sung
high mass with much rerv0r aud effect, and was
assisted by o carefully trained CHOIR unoer the
leadership OF MI. E. Weber, an efficient organist.
The Second Mass OF Haydn was well rendered, and
the solos by the soprano, Mrs. Fisher and Mrs.
Absolute, alto, were sung with taste and appre-
clative culture. Messrs. Weber and Blume, tenor
ami basso. are good singers, and would be regarded
as such IN our most fashionable metropolitan
churches. The Rev. Father O'Neill, o young but
Jealous priest, entered the pulpit shortly after the
commencement OF mass ana preached to an ex.
cecdingly attentive audience sermon OF much
beauty and elOquence.
'In the Gospel OF this day." SAID the reverend
preacher ''St. john the APOSTLE gives testimony Of
the coming OF the Saviour OF mankind, ana an
nounces that his was only the voice OF one CRYING
in the wllderness-maKe Straight the way OF the
Lord.' Tho Son OF God came upon earth to offer him.
self as proptiatory sacrifice Tor the SINS OF men,
and with lneffable tenderness became conceived OF
Mary, passed thlrty.threc years III LIE amid poverty
and revlllng and hardship, and meekly suffered an
kind from the penalties OF transgrcssIon the laws
OF the Creator. Tie exceeding love OF manKind
GerSo such career has. uniort1nately not y BEEN @
recprocated. even with human lmperfectlon, by
man. to any apprccable degree. lngratltude to
Jesus Christ Tor his constant lavors cannot fail to
be visited BY punishment either IN this
life or hereafter, aud men. impeed
ship for tue Redeemer Christ Will shower blessings
upon those who seek Him In earnestness and IN
truth, and His love i0r us can never be exhausted
limited. Our cares and troubles and temptatio
should never. II we are w6tchiul over our own
hearts, sever US rop the friendship Of Jesus Christ.
who became our RedeeInef and Is always our
Mediator before the Heavenly Father. Those who
are In ease anu aillueuce should need no admoni-
ton to pactie virtue, as they have less excuse for
ifans1resslon. the poor are often sorely tempted
but they should never despair OF relief They must
struggle through difficulties ana suffer trials
patiently and theirs shall be the reward OF the
Just. 10 them with especial force anu felicity may
De addressed the words or st. paul:-'Be not
solicitous about anything; but IN every.
thing by prayer and supplicatlon, with
thanksgiving, let your petitions be made
known TO God.' 10 the poor and weary
OF heart He Is attentive and TO those who con-
1de in Him He will render consolation and assist
The friendships oil earth pass away; the most ten
der ties are daily severed, and men should not
place their love too firmly on creatures ike them
selves. The love or God II once In our hearts, Will
increase with years and only become more perfect
by death, which is the dissolution OF all earthly
ties and affection. Place your trust In our Lord
Jesus Christ and seek Him not only In the hour Of
prosperity, out also IN that OF adversely, aud be
sure that In cultvatlng His friendship you have the
moment wnen you shall be called to solemn ac-
count OF your lie and It's actions. You may pro.
cure 1t by prayer aud perseverance IN The paths Of
virtue.