The New York herald., 1872-09-30
ST STEPHENS CHURCH.

Sermon by tho Rev. Father McQuirlx-
The Certainty OF Death and the Prepn-
ration Needed for It-Nradame Pauline
Lucca I'm Church.
Madame Pauline Lucca attended the high mass
at this church yesterday morning The great
cantatrice came very modestly and seemed not
to desire to attract any attention. 1t was known
to many Of the musical members Of the cOngrega-
tion of st. Stephens that she was to come, put as
THE GIFTED LITTLE LADY
did not arrive promptly at halfpsst ten O'clock the
hour for the beginning of the service, these ladies
and gentlemen made up their minds that Madame
Lucca was afraid to brave the threatening rain
Storm and being considerably Chagrined, they
went to their own devOtions. While the "Gloria"
was being sung, however, carriage, with liveried
servants, drove up to the church door in Twenty
eighth street, and out of the vehicle stepped
Madame Lucca and her waiting maid. The charm
ing cantatrice very quietly and modestly then
presented herself to the courteous usher of the
middle asle who at once recognized her and con-
Quoted her to pew he had reserved for her. She
then devoted herself to her prayers with seeming
great devotion. until the "Credo" had been sung,
when not feeling very WELL or perhaps fearing that
a storm might overtake her, she left the church as
quietly she had entered 1t. She expressed her.
self delighted with the gorgeous affairs and paint
ngs of st. Stephens and with the manner in
which the service was conducted. q The mass sung
by the choir, under the direction OF the organist,
Mr.. Dan!orth, was Generaiis in G, all the singers
acquitting themselves well, though there has been
better singing here at times, when, perhaps the
singers themselves cared less for q good display.
The contraito solo, 'Qui Sedes,' of the Credo was
sung by Mile Munier, The "Benetlictus," at the
Sgnor Colett and Slgnor Bernhardt were in their
places as usual, but neither was in an enthusiastic
vein.
High mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father
lynch The sermon was preached by the Rev.
Father McQuirk, who took his text from Deuteron.
omy XXXii., %" Oh, that they would be wise. and
would understand, and would provide for their last
endH When Adam fell his.soul was deprived, not,
indeed, of immortality, but OF an immortality Of
bliss. Adam, immortal while he stood in the grace
and favor OF God, became mortal when he sinned.
Thus, as the Apostle says ut was by sin that death
entered into the world.r Nor was the sentence Of
death pronounced against Adam alone, for g death
hath PassSsd Stip upon all & men IN whom na all have
appointed for all men once to de- and yet nothing
Is more uncertain than that appointed time. Why,
we do reflect why are we not filed with alarm at
THE APPALLING FACT
that some day, sooner or later, we must all die,
and after death be Judged-that upon the Judgment
then pronounced depends eternal happiness or
eternal misery Especially should this thought fill
us with CONSERVATION, as our death is attended
with circumstances most calculated to excite ap-
prehenson and dread. We know not the day nor
the hour when death may come and what could be
more calculated to make think often of death
than this alarming uncertainty In which we live of
the hour at which 1t may visit usp What could
more efilcacously detach us rom this life and keep
us always mindful OF the life to come than the
consideration that that we may at any moment be
Cod, there TO answer Tor all our thoughts,
words and actiOnsY If we could only thor
oughly possess ourselves OF the appalling truth
that we may at any moment de-that death is like
O sword hanging over us, suspended by hair, II
would necessarily occupy our thoughts, free US
from all attachments here below and be the best
preventive against SIN and the surcst stay OF our
virtue. Yet, strange TO say, this very
UNCERTAINTY OF THE NUMBER OF OUR DAYS
4 n der n . 10 at
which renders US thoughtess. The very uncer-
talnty lulls us TO sleep What imprudence can be
mentioned In the Gospel upon the pretence that
the time OF his Masters coming was uncertain, to
to render Is a death which may occur at any
that win not come until the lapse
may die at any moment, shall we live as If we were
never to die Shall this very insecurity in which
we are placed in regard to death be made the very
cause Of our negligence and Indifference Nor can
we Justify our unconcern by saying that she chances
OF living are In our favor. The experience of each
OF us lorbids such foolish thought. Death is not
an accident. No human power can prevent IL.
Fight against 1t as the world may,t is the victor in
ashes.n BE persuaded that there is not single
moment which may not be your last, even that
THIS PRESENT MOMENT
is not passing without the death Of some one
Where Is the surety OF our not dying at any
momentS Is 1t to be found in youth, in strength,
In freedom from diseaseS We have all seen the
lallacy OF such suppositon at some time In our
lives. But If the uncertainty of the time OF death
should induce us frequently TO consider this sub
ject the certainty death at some time ought also
be more powerful motive for constant meditation
on 1t. what Is more suited to keep death vvidly
before the mnd than the solemn truth that we
must all one day die This considers tion OF the
certainty OF death separated the SAINTS from all
inOrdinate attachment to this world and fixed
their minds on the world TO come. Its rreouent
consideration would AFFECT similar results I'm
us. soon our hearts would sigh for other than this
worlds pleasures, and we would soon learn TO est
mate the world at its true valuc-as a neeting
shadow, as a mere time of probation Why should
we be attached to this world What Is this life
but dream Is 1t reason, is IT. prudence, TO at
tach ourselves to things which must 80 soon per.
fish, andHhus
1t Is strange to think how thick q darkness