The New York herald., 1872-12-16
ST. PATRICK's CATHEDRAL.

The Duty OF acknowledgements for
the Second Coming OF Chrtst-The Life
and Example OF St. John the Baptist
Discourse by the Rev. Father Kane
The Music and Ceremonies.
The services at st. Patrck's cathedral yesterday
It being the third Sabbath In Adyent-were, as Is
usual on such notable occasions, attended by all
she impressive pomp and solemnity that can be at
tained without the presence Of the Very Reverend
Archbishop. The seats were crowded. and great
many OF the worshippers stood at the foot OF the
aises thr ough0ut the ceremonies except at such
times as they knelt upon the pavement in devout
snpplication. High mass was celebrated by the
Rev. Father Kearney.
was as pleasing as usual, the voices being In good
condition and the only fault to be found trining
one, perhaps, that there was slight tagging OF
one part behind another in some OF the changes Of
the chords where they should have been in perfect
unison OF time. The Mass was one OF Andres, in
his best style. The principal parts the "Kyre,n
chorus and quartet; the "Credo,n chorus; fol-
lowed by "Et Incarnatus," . solo quartet. The
cheerful solemnity OF the 'Credo," q quality OF
sacred music which IL most to be appreciated be.
cause 1t is so seldom found, fills Its sweet, mellow
harmony throughout and is happy relief after the
more difficult grandeur and patnos OF the "Kyrie.n
At the ofertOry was sung Abt's 30 Salutarls" by
Mrs. Unger, whose execution is full oil taste and
genteness and yet is simple and pure. The won.
derful music-worship was closed with the ''Sanc.
tusr and the "Agnus Dei,n In which the excellence
OF the soprano the tenor and the bass OF the choir
was well proven, and also the lne training Of the
chorus.
THE LESSONS OF tue DAY
The Rev. Father Kane preached the sermon.
When be climbed slowly up the pulpit stairs a
complete silence covered the audience as n II
were still bound In the spell OF the exalted
thoughts inspired by the "Kyrie.- The priest has
young and bright face, with an expansive brow
and clear, energetic eye. His voice has ring OF
freedom about II that adds to the power over his
listeners gained by his words aud nearly hides
with its charm some defects OF his delivery, which
Gated in seciuson. The text which was chosen
was most appropriate to the time and subject OF the
ciscourse-St. Matthew, Iii 3:-"The voice OF one
crying In the wilderness, prepare We the way Of
the Lord make HIS paths straight
st. John the Baptist said the reverend father
came last OF the prophets who prophesied concern.
ing the advent OF the Messiah; but, though tho
last, ne was not the least because he was marked
~ God with many graces and prerogatives which
they mad not, and was brought into the world
without sin. He was sanctifed in his mothers
womb. lie was
THE MORNING STAR
that came before the sun, shining with modest
fei steady light to tell US that the day was com
ing, because, as st. John the Evangelist said ale
the liRht.n
But that was not his only mission. lie came also
~ prepare mems hearts. lie pointed out the
Lamb of God that was among them but that thew
enew NOV yet. Inc reverend father then referred
10 tne examples OF penance presented by David
hbo ~. feteI, and continued And therefore as
our sins were much greater than were theirs We
ought TO bow our heads the spirit Of humii,ation
before God. This was the simple lesson that was
gwen us, and this the simple lesson that the
Church wishes us to impress upon our hearts that
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