The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-10
ST. FRANCIS xAvIEg's CHURCH.

Sermon by tho Row. Father Ronayne,
s. 1.-THE Phases Of Gods Dealings with
Mcn-The Distribution OF Graces-God
Wishes that All Should Know the
Truth and BE Saved.
The Church OF st. FIR ncis Xavier, West Sixteenth
street. was densely crowded yesterday at last mass.
The members OF the congregation appeared entirely
aristocratic and Intelligent The beautiful cere-
monies OF the mass were rendered magnihcently
impressive by the presence of number OF the young
students acting as acoytes by the grand appealing
music OF the choristers, and by the soft streams
OF sunshine which poured In at intervals through
the stained windows.
THE SERMON
was preached by the Rev. Father Ronayne, OF the
Order Of the Society OF Jesus The reverend Father
chose his text from portion of the Sundays Cos
pel-St. Matthew Xxx, Is and It's IL not lawful
for me to do what will with mine own Is thine
eye evil because mine ls go0ds so the last shall be
FIRST and the FIRST last; for many are called. but few
are chosen"
The preacher said the text was one which onered
to all subject for the deepest thought and most
earnest consideration. God had entire and sole
dominion over His own gifts, and He can, In the
depths OF the secrets Of His wisdom, make any
division Of them which seems best to His omnisci-
ent mind. When He bargains with his servants for
denarius, OR penny, day, He rewards them
justly according to the contract-that Is for the
homage they have rendered to Him. He bestows
them Again, He very often gives to those who
labor in His vineyard during the eleventh hour as
who have labored the whole day-that is, through
lifetime. 10 some enviOus and selfish minds this
appears an unfair dealing. But
THE EYE OF CHARITY
can never see 1t in that light The intensity OF that
love which one truly cOntrite heart may pour forth
towards its Creator in one hour may be more &C
CeOtaDl0
homage than the selfish, but necessary services Of
yon or nae IN HIS vineyard Tor lifetime Hence IT
the evangelist, "Is it not lawful for me to do what
m wy VIE s6d SSRs own is thine eye evil because
The reverend preacher continued to extend the
application q the text to the numerous examples
error, on the one hand, become Immediately and
etfectuay converted to o knowledge OF the truth
and life of perfection, while on the other many
in receipt OF Gods graces, abuse them perhaps In
simultaneously and become rebellious and Proni-
dealings with men, and served as an Introductory
illustration OF
'he first shall be last and the last first for many
are called but few are chosen" Here the rever
end Father explained In touching language which
the meaning Of the text he had repeated. All had
been called to knowledge OF the truth, and the
w % a ea De
human being existed, whether he may be Christian,
pagan or idOlatOr, but felt In some manner the
mysterious workings Of Divine grace. The whis-
perings of His voice penetrate and search the inc
nations Of every heart, like rays OF sunshine pene
rate the and distant corners OF the universe.
Some hear His voice and misinterpret its mean
ing. Idolators know Him by His works, but
are blind to OF va HIS =, majesty tnay
knowledge Of the truth but truth is one and in
Invisible, and to know it you must know 1t In its
entirety and unity, otherwise You cannot know it.
Hence those outside the true Church often seek
the truth perseyeringly and 1t is only after long
study and experience they at length find 1t.
To those within the pale OF catholicity Gods
grace Is ever within reach. Some grasp 1t because
their minds are stamped with the golden gildings
OF divine faith. Others waive this grace because
they regard the teachings OF the Church with in
difference. The FIRST whisperings Of divine grace
may be the last chance Of vocation and the first
conviction OF living well the last gilt OF Divine
grace The reverend preacher concluded by beg
ging all to avail themselves OF the special gifts Of
grace frequently sent to them.