The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-12
ST. PATRIoK,s CATHEDRAL.

Sermon by the Rev. Father Kearney-
The Question or Eternal Salvation
solved-HOw WOrldlings Treat the DIM
culty-The Rule, the Way and the
Means.
Steadily and strongly poured the oppressive heat
of the sun upon the pensive brows OF religious
devotees yesterday as they wended their respective
routes to their temples Of worship. The congrega-
ton at the Cathedral, however, was nothing
lessened on this account. All, as usual, crowded
in punctually about halfpast ten O'Clock, and the
whole number OF seats In the spacious aisles were
soon fairly thronged. The interior Of the massive
temple presented the same sombre air OF majestic
impressiveness which generally characterizes It,
and which makes one feel and say,
''TRULY THIS rs THE HOUSE OF GOD"
The response to the Asperges Mel entoned by the
celebrant, Rev. Father McNamee was, of course,
the solemn Introductory to the service The mass
was as is usually said after Pentecost Sunday, &C
cordng to the dictates OF ecclesiastical discipline,
o "Missa bantara" Twelve achOytes attended in
the sanctuary, which was neatly decorated with
floral offerings although the day itself was no ex-
traOrdnary festival. The organ peals rang out
with sOlemnity and effect, the thrilling tones of the
beautiful "Kyrie and the SOFT soothing strains of
the "Gloria" were devoutly rendered. After the
singing OF the Gospel
REV. FATHER KEARNEY
made his appearance in the sanctuary and knelt
on the lower step Of the platform while the hymn
''veni Creator Spirtus," was being chanted, at the
conclusion Of which he assembled the pulpit, made
the requisite announcements of the Sunday and
then read the Gospel Of the day, from which he
chose his text, st. Luke, X, 25-"And behold GER
tain lawyer stood up, tempting him and saying,
Master, what must do to possess eternal life y
| And Jesus said to him, Hast thou not read
THE LAW AND THE RULEp
Thou Shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole
heart and thy whole soul and with all thy strength.
| This do and thou shalt live.'" The question
put to our Divine Saviour by the lawyer
ance. It embraced all that could be Of
special interest to him on so favorable an OCCASION
when he could hear from the most reliable lips a
loving response to his query and to the desires OF
his soul He had been struggling for the good things
of this life, but there was a secret power which ne
glorious immortality could be obtained and so,
being, as 1t were, in state of positive doubt, he
''"'N ..now CAN OBTAIN ETERNAL LIFE p,
and Jesus referred him to the one great command
servance OF it. In order to be saved there rules
to be necessarily observed. The object which God
had In view when He created US was that we might
Him hereafter. We learn to know God by His
works; we learn to serve Him as our Creator and
Master and to love Him as our Redeemer and best
TWO METHODS OF SERVING GOD
apparently characterize ,r the actions OF mankind
worldly minded man, whose reckessness and
neglect in fulfilling the end OF his creation s moth
ing less than sure mark Of his intention to rob
Almighty God OF soul which rightfully belongs to
Him. The class Of persons who adopt this method
OF saving their souls endeavOr in vain to God
and maminon, Tor no one can serve two masters.
There must, therefore, be desire to seek the
truth and know It, and. knowing 1t, to rejoice In
the observance of such rules are consistent with
ONE OBJECT AND ONE AIM,
which Is to merit eternal life by serving God faith
tainment OF this object he can neyerreach it. Take
AN ExAMrLE FROM EVERYDAY LIFE
in places OF business, for instance, where little
ambition Is necessary to attain position and in
fuence. Some aspire to the first place, and by
obtain 1T, while others, more indifferent and less
hopeful, continue plodding along YEARLY and
fore, speak to God as the lawyer, and ask him to
point ont to Ms the way and the means to work out
our souls salvation. But besides cherishing this
the prescribed preceps for doing SO into practice,
we must also have
We must not be struck down In sadness and
despair because the hand Of time the adversites
OF life bring sorrow to our souls. We must always
look up Him who gave His life for the salvation
of the world and appeal to Him for succor.
He who said ventte ad me ornnes q,pt hIborastt ct
One11ti eStS, ct ego retcidm pOS ('Come to me all
you who labor and are heavily burdened and will
refresh your. We must, moreover, cease to live,
as il were, Independent OF God; we must have
DlFFIDENCE IN OURSELVES
| and place all our trust and hopes in Him. Man is
very little; COO alone Is great. Man mas nothing
| which belongs TO himself and consequently nothing
to be proud Of How therefore, can he pretend to be
| Independent OF God his Creator and supreme pro-
tector This fatal pride and overbearing confidence
! prevent great many from coming to a knowledge
| OF the truth and Of fulfilling their end, whereby
| eternal salvation is secured. The necessary con-
ditions, therefore, for winning everlasting felicity
are, first, ardent desire to possess 1t secondly,
| perseverance In the ful6lment of the law, great
confidence in God and total didence in ourselves.
| BY endeavoring to practise serving God In this
manner may hope finally to receive from Him
the glorious crown Of eternal life.