The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-15
ST. JAMES ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL.

Reconstruction Of the Oldest Catholic
Church I'm NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. by Father
Kicly-"Give an Account OF Thy Stew
arsiship."
The influence OF the warm weather upon religious
ardor was visible even hero yesterday In small
attendance ut the last mass. Warmth OF devotion
appears to be In inverse ratio to the movement OF
the Thermometer, and while men are said to be
prone to evil as the sparks Ny upward, the sugges
ton OF millions OF invisible sparks descending in
one continuous shower upon our heads does not
seem to provoke its proper antithesis in this propo
sition. Some Of the non-attendance at st. James
yesterday was due, however, to a misconception
respecting the services to be held there. As the
church is undergoing
EXTENSIVE REPAIRS,
an impression prevailed that only the early
masses would be said, hence q slim congregation
at half-past ten o'clock Concerning these repairs
it is worth while to say word. For long time
tue Catholics OF Brooklyn have suffered the dis
credit of permitting their cathedral church to re-
main in a condition unworthy OF q country town I'm
the midst OF n heather people. True, they have
been engaged In building new cathedral, which
promises In time to rival anything on this contI-
nent; but as this edi6ce progresses slowly, and
gives no present hope OF carly completion, the
older one on Jay street still has Its claims
as the central house of worship belonging TO the
Catholic body on Long Island. Its condition, there
fore was matter OF shame TO the entire diocese,
while its renovation az proposed and commenced
must be source OF satisfaction.
TIE ESTIMATES
thus far made Fix the cost OF repairs az as 600 to
he raised by voluntary contributions. 4 fair pro-
portion Of this amount has been already subscribed,
mainly hy the pew-hoJers, which has enabled
the work to lie commenced: but larger pay
ments on the part OF those subscribing are
still looked for. The work contemplated COM
new noor new pews new stained glass windows
frescoed walls and ceiling-the latter 70 gain the
appearance OF greater elevat0n--and new tower
and spre, TO replace the present one OF village
proportions. The altar will be also freshly illumi-
mated and the choir reconstructed.
The services yesterday were In accordance with
the regular rubrc, not differing nom those OF any
ordinary sunday. High mass was celebrated by
Rev. Father 0Hare, white
THE REV. FArDER KirIY
preached upon the Gospel OF the day. The lesson
presented by the Church for the consideration Of
the faithful In this Gospel Is contained in the story
of the UNJUST steward, while that portion OF 1t Sc
ected for instruction by the reverend preacher was
the command, ''Give on account Of thy steward
shipu In celebrating this point the speaker said II
man were not reasonable being he would not be
responsible for his actions nor the subject of re-
wards or punishment. But man IL creature alike
OF reason and nee WILL standing thus highest in the
order OF created beings here below His
reason enables him to discriminate between
night and wrong, while his free VIII
gives him the liberty OF choosing. H. per,
inner lfe xes this responsibility. This is the
lesson OF today's Gospel. Give an account OF thy
stewardship. This Is the inquiry we are constantly
crting TO ourselves when we realize that our lives
falI short Of that higher standard OF excellence