The New York herald., 1873-09-01
Sin Pronounced a LeprOsy OF
the Soul.
TRUE FAITH MUST BE DEFINITE.
Interesting Discourses by the Rev. Messrs
Kearney, Fulton, Chaplin, Free
man, Booth and Others.
LONG BRANCH DEvOTIONS.
ST. STEPHENS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.


Sermon by the Rev. DIR. McGlynn-Sin
Lcpr0sy Of the SouI-Penance Typi-
fed In the Gospcl-The Necessity Of
Frequentinx the Sacra aments.
The high mass at st. Stephens yesterday morn
Ing was celebrated by the Rev. Father Power with
all the pomp and grandeur OF the Roman ritual.
The high altar was decorated with flowers, Sc
lected and arranged with exquisite taste. During
the services Mr. Danorth, the Organst, performed
some selections with artistic skill and finish. I'm
mediatey after the first Gospel the Rev. Dr. Nc
clynn ascended the pulpit and preached an earnest
and eloquent discourse on the necessity OF ap-
preaching the sacraments, basing his argument on
the historical narrative OF the miraculous cure OF
the ten epers, contained in the Gospel Of the
6unday-Luke xviii, II, 49,
The historical parts Of the Scriptures do not con-
Hist Of o mere narration Of facts; they include
"A sYMBoLIcAL MEANING,
havIuy special reference TO the plan Of mans re-
demption and the channels through which the
merits of Christ are to be applied to the soul.
.sThey shall be taught OF Cod" Thus, in this days
Gospel the healing OF the lepers s typical Of the
far greater miracle of cleansing mems souls from
the leprosy OF sin in the sacrament OF penance.
We know from the old law that persons affected
with that loathsome disease were segregated from
the people, and not permitted to re-enter society
until they became convaescent and personally
received permission from the priests to minge
with their friends The ten lepers thus separated
met Jesus on His Journey through Samara and
Galilee, and, standing aiar off, called out 'Jesus
master, have mercy on u.s." They did well
to call Him by that sacred name which
means Saviour, and add the title Master in respect
for His almighty power. The heart Of Jesus was
moved at the poor wretches prayer; yet he did no
at once cure them, but told them to go and show
fhnU lVAl tn mas
as they went they were made clean" OF the ten
only one returned TO give thanks "Were there
not ten made cleanY where are the ninef The
stranger, the Samaritan was
THE GRATEFUL ONE,
who came back and, falling at the feet Of Jesus,
gave glory to God: And SO it happens but too ire
Quently with US. When our souls are sick to
TO death with the leprosy OF sin we show ourselves
to those to whom Christ has said whatsoever We
shall bind upon earth shall be bound also in heaven,
and whatsoever ye shall loose upon earth shall
be loosed also in heaven" The priests to whom we
show ourselves are gifted with the pow er bestowed
by the Christ when ''He breathed upon them and
said Receive ye the Holy Ghost whose sins We shall
forgive they are forgiven them, and whose SINS We
shall retain they are retained" Many seek the
remedy, many are healed but comparatively few
are grateful Some come at stated times, at Easter
or the occasions or other great festivals; others
when they feel the weight of sin and the degrada-
Just But how few return ike the stranger in the
Gospel and fall at the feet Of Jesus How few
imltate the example OF
THAT IILUsTKIous PENIrENr
who after she had "washed His feet with her tears"
and received an assurance OF pardon sat at the
feet of the Master looking up to His face and hear
ing His words Let US revive the faith that we
have in the sacrament OF penance and come as
near to the feet Of Jesus as Gid Mary, who slowed
much.n We can do so. II is no nIght OF imagna-
ton, IL 10 plain Catholic doctrine, that when we
receive the sacrament OF penance the merits OF
Christ's passion and death are applied TO SOULS
In that wondrous tribunal Is done over again the
scene on Calvary Angels bear beavenward our sor-
row for SIN, Christ presents His wounds to His
Father in favor Of the penitent heavenly mes
sengers bear back the pardon, which ls pro-
nOunced 10y the dvtnely commissioned priest when
he says, " l absolve you in the name Of the
Father,n &c. We should bear IN mind
THE TERRIBLE PRICE
It cost Jesus TO merit for US the graces which now
through the channels OF the sacraments. There
are IN every age some who hear the Word OF God
and keep it-grateful souls, who, once they have
turn with hearts overnowing with gratitude and
sit at the feet OF Jesus and look up In His sweet
lace aud hear His words.
All the doctors and the best approved theologians
Vf the Church advise the
PREQuENTATIoS THE sAcRAMHNTs.
SI Aphonsus recommends q weekly approach,
and by weekly ne does not mean frequent. In eX.
nov urge 10 sudden perfection. II is a simple
Canonc truth that II having once found grace and
PARDON We DO not return at short intery Ais to the
tnrone OF Gous grace we will inialbly become cold
II our devonons and 1nally relapse There are
nanyiKnown as Christians who II Christ were TO
70 Goo appear to-day as lie did more than
trine He then preached, would revile Him and pro.
claim Him fanatic, lunatic But thank God
there are others reverence Ms name and His
teachings who desire TO sit at His feet ike the
Magdalen and listen 10 HIS words.