The New York herald., 1871-02-13
ST. PETERS, ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The Word OF God and Its Fruits-Sermon by
the Rev. FNther Jnmes Ouinn.-

The Word OF God and Its Fruits-Sermo ON by
the Rev. Father James Quinn.
The Catholic Church OF ST. Peter, corner OF Church
and Barclay streets the most ancient in the city, is
also one OF the most crowded at divine service on
Sundays and notwithstanding the heavy snow
storm yesterday morning. any one not renting pew
In the church and arriving few minutes late would
have had some difficulty in obtaining good place.
The venerable and good natured sexton tMr OMeara)
who may Justly be regarded at the 'Brownn OF the
Catholic churches, always comes to the relief of
strangers and can spy out some cosy place unoccu-
pied and thther he graclously ushers the searcher
after truth. le a.. s., lsas sn.a
After the gospel had been read In the mas yester.
day the Rev. James Quinn ascended the pulpit and
preached from the parable or the sower.
THE WORD OF GOD Is DIVINE REVELATION
ne said In this parable we see striking lllustra
tion Of the wonderful charity, mercy and
goodness Of God. The seed here mentioned He
declares TO be nothing else than the Word OF co.,
the most precious boon and the greatest gift Heaven
ever conferred upon Earth. 1t is-tAe- revelation
which Goo nl%self in His great mercy mas thought
them from the depths Of their misery and casts
hood Of heavenly light over their path, who were
before buried in darkneSsla revelation which in.
fuses into their souls the virtue Of divine faith and
nobler aspirations that philosophy science or any
In word teaches men the end fol which they were
born into the world and the means TO attain 1t.
THE WORD OF GOD IS TO BE PREACHED
TO every creature. The goodness Of God also mani.
tests itself In the way In which the revelation is
made IL ls not confined to those who would re.
ceve the Word with wiling hearts and treasure tt
up In their souls and permit II fructify but the
s0wer goes forth scattering the heavenly Seed even
on barren SOIL The Word OF God reaches those who
are unwilling TO receive H. and produces no fruit
Yet 1t is the duty OF Gods ministers to 90 forth and
preacn 70 all not distinguishing the soil or examn-
ing into the hearts OF their hearers, or the dlliCu
ties ana temptations that surround them
THE VIRTUES PRODUCED BY THE WORD OF GOD.
Inc virtues arising from the teachings OF Gods
word are-hrst, faith, which We are taught comes
from nearing. Faith, universal, extending to all
the doctrines that are mculcated. Secondly, there
springs from the Divine Word, as consequence or
faith, - :
THE THEOLOGICAL VIRTUE OF HOPE,
wnch sustains men under all the difficulties OF llfe
"Blessed arc We when men shall revle you and per-
secute you and say all manner OF evil against you
unJusty, FOR my sake, for your reward Is
very great IN Heaven" Hope Is the virtue by
wncn we look tor the mercy and grace OF God
mere ana eternal happiness in the world here.
after; which, relying on the promises Of Christ,
and enables him to bear up under all manner OF
evils, and even TO thank God for the crosses and
anlictons OF this life being assured by lnialllble
Irutn tnat lnasmuch as he suffers here, he viii be
rewarded nereafter strengthened also by the exam
PIE OF the Author OF the Divine Word, VINO Tor our
sakes led lie or poverty ana suffering. What Is 1t
tnat sustalns man under trials and calumnies and
restralns his hand and tongue? IL Is the spirit of
meekness and Iorbearance OF the Gospel that ena-
bles HIN to forbear and forgive relying ON the pro-
misses OF future reward The preacher concluded by
an eXnOrtatlon TO remove all impedments which
oDstruct the heavenly seed, and to prepare their
Souls ior the proper reception OF the Word OF God.