The New York herald., 1873-09-08
ST. FRANCIS XAvIBR's CHURCH.


Sermon by Rev. Father Gleason, 8. d.
Grand Musical Services.
The frst Sunday Of the fall, and the fourteenth
after Pentecost. was distinguished at the handsome
church Of the Jesuit Fathers in Sixteenth street by
q very eloquent sermon by Rev. Father Gleason,
9. j.. and supurb music by the full choir the men,
bers OF which had just returned from their summer
vacation. Rev. Father Gleason took his text from
the gospel Of the day, Matthew vi. 24-3S-''No man
can serve two masters for either he will hate the
one and love the other, he will sustain the one
and despise the other. You cannot serve God and
Mammon." The preacher spoke of three classes
OF men to whom this text is appli-
cable in different ways. There are some
who devote themselves exclusively to the service
of God, who obey His laws and finch not under
the righteous. whose lives are like sweet incense
before Heaven. The opposite class to them con-
duty and conscience are dead letters Between,
these two classes OF men there is a third, which
includes the lukewarm the time servers, who
PRETEND TO SERVE dOD,
while they are devoted in heart to everything that
tends to violate His commands. On this third class
ing texts that indicate the adherence with which
the Creator regards their dupncty.
the o. S9e
mass in b nat major, and the "Sanctusn and
"Agnus Del" from Alois F. .Lejeal's mass in D
Nine. Schultz, alti; Signor Tamaro and Herr
Huck tenori, and SignOr Bacelli and Mr.. -,
bassi-sung the highly dramatic music of Merca-
dante with spirit, finish and ensemble that lent a
bass solos in the "GlorIa" and "Cred0n were ao-
miraby given in the rich, full tones OF Signor Ba-
cell's voice. Leeal's work is musicianlv In every
respect and, particularly in the "Agnus, presents
features OF interest in the themes and harmony
that one would scarcely look for in mass OF the
present day by an American composer. The alto
solo, which forms the principal part OF the
"Agnus," was sung by Miss Mary Werneke with
rare ervOr and expression.
GREGORIAN MUSIC
being wisely banished from this church, the vespers
presented many choice works OF varied character.
They commenced with q "DOmine ad adurandum
ave festina," by Berge, which was followed
by 'Dixit D0minus," .Laudate" and "Magnifcat,n
by AsiOli. Both composers tend strongly towards
the brilliant and sparkling in style. and with
well trained choir their works never fail to produce
marked effect. After them came an save
Verum," by Tamaro, in an entirely dinerent style,
calm, devotional and beautiful In melody, in which
the composers highly cultivated tenor voice found
congenal subject. Miss Teresa Werneke sung
Bassni's "Save Regina" charming soprano
solo, and gave 1t all its wealth OF expression and
the vespers concluded, has some fine unison pas
sages for the chorus. Haydn's Mass No. will be
sung on next Sunday. It Is the intention OF the
year the best masses Of Haydn, Mozart, Gounod,
Donizetti, Zingarelli, Liszt and many masters OF
the French school. The financial condition OF af-
fairs In regard to the new church Is now 80 en-
couragng that before the lapse Of another year
the work Will be well under way. 1t will be one OF
the largest and most imposing churches In the me-
tropos, the dimensions being 200 feet by 100. It
will be house worthy OF che Jesuit Fathers.