The New York herald., 1872-12-23

terday was well filed by large and apparently
devout congregation. The bitter frosty air Of the
morning necesstated the wearing OF furs and
heavy clothing. The church was comfortably
heated and the feeble sunshine reelected through
the large stained windows added TO its lively
aspect exceedingly. Rev. Father McNamce was
celcbrant OF the mass. The usual number OF
acolytes were in attendance.
THE REV. FATHER FARRELLY,
secretary to the Archbishop preached an eloquent
and very impressive sermon after the con-
cluson OF the Gospel on the great virtue
OF humility, the chief and most prominent
characteristic Of the Saviour's character. The
reverend gentleman chose his text from the
epistle of the Sunday, Titus H., 11-16-"Deary
beloved, the grace or God our Saviour hath ap-
peared to oil men; instructing us that denying
ungodliness and worldly desires we should live So
berly and justly and gody In this world, looking
for the blessed hope and coming OF the glory OF the
great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave
Himself for us that He might redeem us from all
iniquity and might cleanse to Himself people ac-
ceptable, pursuer OF good works. These things
speak and exhort and rebuke with all authority.
Let no man despise thee.n
In contemplating the Importance OF so great an
event as the birth Of the Goldman, now well nigh
at nand the first thought apt to startle the reject
ing mind was the humble manner in which our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ the second person
of the blessed Trinity, took upon Himself the as
sumption OF human nature. The incident was
marked Illustration OF the adherence with which
the Almighty looked upon
THE SIN or PRIDE.
Lucifer had fallen and was punished for his rebel
lions spirit. He said, ~ viii raise myself up and
place my throne upon the throne OF God.u But the
right arm OF the Eternal smote his ambitious spirit
and designated him for q throne which was no
other than pillar OF flrc. Pride entered into the
heart OF ADAM and lie tell and was punished. The
others for this sin. Patriarchs prophets and kings
suffered exceedingly for mere sins OF vanity. But
ies on c 20 ~ n 20 be
OF universal advantage, and to show the proud and
naughty OF this world that IT was virtue absolutely
preacher contrastcd vivldly the proud with the
humble man, showing the faults and folbles OF the
one--the silent and ultimate success OF the other.
The proud man
PROUD OF TRANSIENT AND TRIVIAL POSSESSIONS;
the humble man desplsed them. while his pride
all concentrated in the attainment Of heavenly
desires. Earth was too narrow Tor his aspirations.
h nma aons coaa @ m say S 10 Try 70
nature but heroic struggle lor the supernatural.
When the apostles discussed among themselves
Heaven, the Saviour, knowing their thoughts, re-
buked them, and taking up little child in his
manner His condemnation Of the sin Of PRIDE "Un.
less you make yourselves like unto this little child
you shall not enter to- int into the Kingdom OF Heaven
THE INSIGNIFICANCE OF MAN
man M r" Of creations mere speck upon its surface
a bubble upon the ocean OF lile N the words Of
which he could call his own, what as reasonable
being had he TO be proud Of Father Farrelly then
concluded You are rich in the treasures OF the
earth; remember the endowment Is from God, and
forget not His poor In the midst O your luxures.
Remember what you are. where on came from
and whittier you are drifting. There was time
when you da not ak Exist ana You were born out 81
will turn away In horror from your dissolv-
ing clay. Young men, you whose spirits are
psHaa through When an insult honor cerea
TO your name or fame in the midst OF your daily
avocati0ns and associations restrain your anger
impersOnation OF humility. by endeavoring thus
to initiate the humble Saviour of the world you
will be working out the great end OF your saliva
tion.
THE MUSIC AND CHRISTMAS PROGRAMME
In the cathedral will be of more tnan ordinary In
terest to the congregation. Yesterday the choir,
usual, acquitted itself with great success III the
rendering OF Mercadante,s Third Mass The or
ganst, Mr.. Schmits, played the different parts
with admirable spirit, while the solos and duets by
pleasing and truly effective manner On Christ
mas Day there will be solemn high mass at five
O'Clock A. M. also masses at six, seven, eight and
nine O'Clock, and solemn Pontitical high mass at
haf-past ten O'Clock A. NJ, OF which the Most
Reverend Archbishop McCloskey will be the cele-
brant, and will, at the conclusion give the cOngre
cation the Papal benedictiOn. The music for the
festival has been already arranged by Mr. Gustavus
Schmits, and will be OF altogether superior kind.
Many pieces the production o! eminent authors,
composed by Italian artists and recently brought
from Rome, will be rendeged. In the evening the
vespers will be fully and elegantly rendered. and the
choir enlarged for the occasion. Madame Chome and
ably impressed the congregation OF the cathedral
during the past few years-will sing solos which
they have had some time in preparation.