The New York herald., 1872-12-02
ST. PATRICK's CATHEDRAL.

Sermon by Rev. Father Kearney-Thc
Duties and Charact eristics OF the True
Christian-Evil Consequences or Bad
Example-Thc Secret of Living Well.
The interior Of st. Patrck's Cathedral was well
filed yesterday morning at the halfpast ten O'Clock
mass. The celebrant OF the Sunday was the Rev.
Father McNamee attended by the usual number
of acolytes The select portions OF the mass, as
played by the organlst, Mr.. SchmitZ, were those
generally designated for the First Sunday in Ad-
vent, and were rendered, to say the least, very
patheticay and with extremely pleasing effect.
The latter part Of the "Credo' was admirably sung
by the choir, and the 20 Salutaris Hostiau q
terzetto by the female voices, had sweet, solemn
and noticeable effect The preface was played by
Mr.. Schmitz yesterday in o manner which deserved
copying as well as remembrance.
THE SERMON BY REV. FATHER KEAnNEY
consisted OF an explanation and practical comment
on the epstle OF the day. Before commencing his
discourse the reverend gentleman referred to the
propriety and necessity of all earnest Catholics to
contribute largely to the ,uilding and completion
Of the new cathedral wt-ch the Archbishop SO
ardently wished to see dedicated and cousecrated
during his own episcopal career. The preacher
then chose his text from est. Paul al Romdnos,n
Epheslans Kill, 13-15-"The night is passed and
te day IS at hand; let u.s. therefore, cast OF the
works OF darkness and put on the armor OF light.
Let us walk honestly as in the day. not in rioting
purites not in covetousness and envy put ye on
the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision Tor
the flesh In its concupscence."
WHY ST. PAUL ADDRESSED THE ROMANS
thus in this part OF his epistle (Which text has
had in many wonderful instances its glorious and
singular Effects and particularly so In the provl-
Dental conversion OF St. Augustine, as acknowl-
edged in his "Book Of Confesslon'D is evident when
we come to consider the corrupt state OF the Ro-
man mind at that period OF time. But as these
words were applicable then, so also are they now.
The dangers and temptations which the text ad.
nv WI ici
SO many souls In our time are inevitably ruined.
They are the deceptive beacons which nhdels and
their own destruction, and on this account they
also seem to be the advocated principles OF goddess
men, perverted judgments and dcpraved minds
LEAVING ASIDE THE INFIDEL,
who seems to misunderstood the object Of his be-
ing, three classes Of Christians can be immediately
pointed out among US. There is, first. class pro-
Tossing Christianity, but who never live up to its
teachings. There is secondly, the indifferent class,
who nod assent 10 every doctrine of opinion, and
who think more OF the temporal than the eterual;
and there is the third and last class, who, pro-
Tossing to be followers of Christ, abide by His
teachings and follow His example with unninching
and uncompromising efforts. With this last class
the true Christian may claim rightiul and praise
The persons Of the first class might have been
brought up under Christian influence but on
count Of some selfish motive never cared to profit
by the accident.
Those OF the second class are little better ana
generally do more evil by their bad example, by
their defence OF perverted principles and by their
pitiabe and abject indiferentsn, while with all
tnelr earneStneSS tney merit nOthng In the eyes OF
God, who has said HE that Is not with me is
against me-. and he that gathereth not with me
scattcreth,r nor in the eyes OF men who look in
vain for one redeeming quality in their actions.
The reverend preacher then explained the duties
and marks OF
TRUE CHRISTIAN LIFE,
and said that prayer the profound secret of
all. by prayer all obstacles to salvation could be
efectually surmounted aud all temptations sub
dued. 1t was an appeal which brought down the
grace OF Gol upon the soul, and cradicated evil
passions from the most deprayed heart, No man
having previously prayed. Our divine Lord prayed
increasingly while on earth, and commanded His
followers to pray at all times and in all places.
watch and pray lest We enter into temptation"
Never vas prayer needed more than in this epoch
OF ungenerous words, evil deeds and destructive
example. BY the continual habit OF prayer a
gradual approach is made toward the practice OF
the duties of true Christian life, aud position
finally attained from which the soul may easily
gain access TO the kingdom OF its inheritance.