The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-08
ST. PATRICK,s CATHEDRAL.


Father Kenrney On Faith-rhe Interpreta-
tion OF ,hc Gospel by tho Church-Why
Sunday is Celebrated ON the First and Not
the seventh Day.
Yesterday was dreary day withOut, but notwltl-
standing this the interior OF 81. Patrick's Cattle
dral looked rs bright and gorgeous as ever. The
church was flied, and the music was as 1t usually
IL, fine. The sermon was preached by Father
Kearney ana Father McNamee celebrated mass
After reading the Gospel, which was taken from st.
John XXX. 10. the reverend gentleman proceeded to
explain the nature OF st. Thomas unbeef he said
Thomas believed that Christ had arisen and ap-
peared to the Apostles but he did not believe that
he appeared TO them IN the same body In which he
was nailed to the cross and 1t to ascertain this
that he wanted TO place his hand in the wounds OF
the Saviour. After eight days, when the Lord again
appeared TO the apostles ana SAID to Thomas,
"Reach hthcr tiny finger and behold my hands, ana
reach hitter my hand ana thrust It INTO my SIDE
Teach US lesson through Thomas that "Blessed are
they that have not seen and yet have believed"
Although we have not seen Christ or felt his wounds
we believe that ne arose on the third day, and from
the word Of Christ himself we must beieve that all
OF us who believe IN Him are more blessed than the
disciples VINO have seen Him ana learned the Ian
guage OF truth from HIS divine llps We believe
these truths That are taught us by the Church. tat
divine medium established for the purpose OF trans
hitting TO posterltv the words OF lie. Ana how
II that we at this day md so many who are not In
the pale OF the Church, and who are ever and
anon dividing among themselves, and each one
setting up belief for hlmscllY the answer is a
simple one, and 1t Is this, that those who are
divided from the Church are like Thomas, they VIII
not believe what Is told to them. but rather Follow
their own reason. Have we not abundant. proof
that Utra roce teaching is the most effective system
that has ever been ordained. Why was 1t tnat our
fishermen instead OF choosing His twelve from the
Sdrdns OF the jewish naaonY tie took them that
He might teach them the truths He brought from
Heaven with Him with His own tongue.
The Church follows His example and interprets
the Gospel to her children through the mouths OF
her disciples ana 1t Is tor This reason that many OF
the dissenters have left the Church. They tell us
that the Word OF God Is written, and that Il is sa
cient for man TO read and mediate on it, and by
meditation discover Its meaning. But all men can
not read, and man who mas not obtained good
every one making religion for himself has given
rise to the almost innumerable creeds which at
present exist. Each one forms an opinion
becomes s'I''' protestant to the opinion Of
his brother: All the creeds except the
has ordained that the seventh should be observed.
Can those readers OF the Bible who form their own
opinions tell why the Sunday is the first day Of the
week. and not me lastS The reason Is TINS, That it
was on the llrst day of the week that the Saviour
their hiding p aces and that the Church was born
tnat the first day OF the week was substituted for
last as Inc one on w yn w to gory Cod Those
and that every one can interpret for himself seem
to forget that tne gospels we've mot written until
years after the saviour had left the world, ana
| that in the meantme all who were converted to
Christianity were converted by the preaching OF the
apostles, 10 whom Christ said:-"As Ny Father
hath sent Me 80 also l send YOU" Christ preached
and interpreted the Word OF God TO the disciples.
They done likewise TO men, even rs we. their sue
Why is 1t that we find men who are successful IN
their business undertakings leaving the Church
and joining some other creed. IL IS thus that they
become proud. and consider 1t more manly to have
their own opinion than TO believe those set down
| pei most appllcabe:-"Biessed are they that
have not seen yet nave believed"