National Republican., 1873-09-22

the evidences Of his wonderful, love. whereas
We, VINO have the Manifestations OF all these
enlnss, u nave even mote powerful reasons TO give
our nearts 10 Uod. He does not, II Ia true, call
Us all 10 the life OF apostles, but he does cali
every one To salvation. why, then, after reociv-
ing 50 many proofs Of hts loye-after having
sheu INC last drop Of his blood for us-why are
We 80 slow, 20 tlmld In walking In the footsteps
OF Jesusf We are fearful and hesil ating because
our hearts have bowed before other affairs be.
vanities Of the world. We should profit by the
example OF Matthew, who abandoned position,
| riches, everything 20 follow Jesus. lie does not
sna S Os .ns social state IN which ,n are
preme love OF the things Of the world aud our
hearts can never be tranquil until we give them
| to him.
Matthew made sacrifice when he abandoned
a., things TO- follow Jesusi yet when We compare
what he gained with what he gave up, how great
was his recompense' He became
THE COMPANION or TIlE SAVIOUR
and MS conflan; but itwas not until after Jesus
| had assembled into heaven that tdo spirit OF God
| came down upon Matthew and his associates,
| and they became anew men. They who had
been so stupid, so carnal, after they had pre-
pared themselves by prayer and self-dcnial, re-
cclyed the fullness OF the holy spirit, AMI their
minds and hearts were Illuminated and sanctllied
by the light. This teaches us another lesson
that II ia by prayer and modification that we
| must win heaven.
were like athletes In the war fOF the supremacy
for the cross. They no lourer sought refuge in
tho desert, but walked boldly before men, even
IN the presence OF kings and princes. and pro-
claimed the truths OF CnristiaEliy Their teach
ings were not confined to Judea, but they obcyed
the Injunction to Ego forth aud tesch all ma
tons" Their Held OF labor was the whole world,
aud u was their mission to expose the false
philosophy OF the times AMI make the cross
glorious.
Matthew was assigned to
THk COSvERIoN OF ETHIOPIA
and he went oravely forth, rlled with holy zeal.
rearing no dangers, and even praying for pcrse.
cutions that he might become some what like our
saviour lie announced the truths Of divine
revelation to the inhabitants OF Ethiopia, lie
sealed the teachings OF his mission with miracles,
and so great were these that the King and court
OF Ethiopia fell down In alteration OF the true
God. lie saw his labOrs blessed by the conver-
sion OF an empire. and suffered martyrdom for
tue faith. Than this no higher proof OF love can
De given, and this was the reward OF the ala.-
rity with which he rose up and followed the Sa-
viour.
Comparatively few are called to the altar, bu,
al are called to serve God, no matter how hum
Bile or what worldly circumstances surround
them; Our Lord came not for tho great and
wealthy, but he came for all, and the APOSTLES
went to all parts OF the earth. SO we should
never hesitate To follow Jesus. Those who wor-
ship In this venerable temple should ever he
faithful to the teachings OF st. Matthew. Thus
Church and initiate the virtues OF the saints. Let
this be the proof OF our love, ever raising our
hearts above earthly pleasures, lifting them up
" the saints and invoking their blessings upon
ourselves, otir families ani friends, and begging
Of the patron saint of this church that
with Alactity, that we may one day hear his
ilvine voice welcoming US TO the mansions OF
,ternai bliss.