The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-27
ST. JAMES (R. O. CATHEDRAL.

Charity, the Foundation Stone OF the
Christian Edihce-Sermon by the Rev {.
Father Sheridan.
The Importance Of the great mystery of Christian
belief concentrated on 'Trinity' Sunday, i'm
pressed itself In added fervor and emotional
character in the devotional services In the Brooklyn
Catholic churches yesterday. At the Cathedral the
Rev. Father Kelly as celebrant, sang O solemn high
mass, while the Rev. Father Sheridan delivered the
lesson Of the days gospel selections especially
chosen by the Church. and drew the attention of the
faithful both to the authority of the Church and
the purpose OF its foundation. Two gospels
embodying this instruction are read in the rubric
for Trinity Sunday, the one containing the Divine
commission given the Apostles ito teach all things
whatsoever have commanded you," and the other
restraining the assumption of personal supremacy
that might be engendered from the authority thus
granted with the caution, "Be mercifu as your
Father also Is merciful. Judge not, that ye be not
Judged" The reverend preacher selected this point
for consideration, which he stated In substance
above, making the deduction therefrom that mercy
and charity furnished the real basis of all religious
belief and practice. Chrst's life was an idyl
OF charity and indulgence toward Others, thirty
three years. lesson OF mercy. This Is the first pre-
cept OF his teachings the mere neglect OF It's prac
tce constituting grievous sin, While positive op-
position Is heinous offence. To njure the prop
erty Of man is crime, which society makes
prive him of Gods gifts, his credit and reputation
Is to assnil the Almighty in His personal preroga
human sins. The reverend Father then proceeded
to show how detraction did not always require
o words n to sut up the aq
by inuendo, in shrug, or movement Of the eye:
brows, or compromising smile; and in the use OF
course, the preacher seemed DESTROYS OF pont ting
this particular moral for the benefit OF the softer
sex. Continuing, he said man Is so constituted
which Almighty
thus sought to throw over his weaknesses and
fralties, In order that he may have a fair oppor-
81 existence. The evils resulting from cainmny dummy.
out, where, perhaps, such caumny was merely the
result OF careless speakingof an effort to please in
society by brilliant nn or a smart
probation or an exaggeration of the thing said,
where, the quality Of malice being wanting, there
prisal entered in the responsibility great. Re-
ga l,l apart from the divine command, human MAJ,
SeM e e1 Hr Of s sn TITS
supernatural consequences, it is fatal to the
souls salvation; 1t is sin, too, that
These aes G Tsbe5gn o0d against o tSe
Divine will strikes us as being of that character, but
this has the endorsement OF society, giving
piquancy to drawing room talk, aud seldom car
ries any sense of remorse. The very best people
apparently think they have right to sit in judg-
ment upon their fellows for their own spiritual
consolation. They seem not to remember that
with their light words Of detraction they Ais sow
Ing sparks 81 fire that may at any time bring about
Is beyond calculation. Thus the obligation OF max
ing repara,ion for all the harm they have caused
increases the difficulty OF obtaining for
giveness. Our conversation should he framed
so that we may not fall into this evil
way, while we should endeavor to cult.
vate spirit OF charity in our hearts that would
prevent us lapsng thoughtlessly into this sin. ST.
Augustine had inscribed over his table, LET those
VINO would injurc their neighbors not eat here.r
arpr N our
days obtained shows the natural instinct which is
at the same time the Christian principle. That de-
traction Is to be carefully guarded against, not
outstanding that society Il more tolerant OF the
calumnator In manhood than the more Innocent
feeling OF the child permits Our safety in ibis re.
spect Is only to he found in an humble imitation OF
Christs example, and an earnest EFFORT TO follow
out His teachings, bearing In mind that OF all Tue
IL charity