The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-28

ZEAL AND DETERMINATION
these gentlemen displayed In pushing on toward
completion the church. am not fuls0me when
say they were examples OF superlative generosity
When leave You do not intend ever to return
to the pulpit, but my heart and oil my good wishes
Will forever be clustered In the church and It's con-
40 my snd may se 1d
future as He has on those OF the pasti M
ST. PETERS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Interesting and Impressive Services
Farewell Sermon by the Rev. Father
Quinn-The New Vicar Gcncral-Im-
posing Musical Exercises.
A more than usually large congregation assem-
bed yesterday morning at the well-known and
ancient tempe OF worship on Barclay street for the
purpose OF assisting at the farewell ceremonies
and listening to the farewell words OF the pastor,
who had during nearly quarter OF century,
presided over the flock at st. Peters. and also OF
his assistant, the amiabe young curate who,
from the time OF his ordination. some four years
ago, had won the love and had grown
in the estimation OF all who w0rshipped
at the time -honored shrine at which
he ministered. Some twenty-four years
ago the Rev. Father William Quinn was appointed
pastor OF st. Peters church. He was young active,
ambitious to do well the laborious duties which are
parts OF the lot of Catholic priest, and ninched
not at facing the responsibilities Of his new posi-
ton. Those responsibilities were by no means few
or slight The church was loaded down with debt;
the uptownward tendency OF business was forcing
residents OF means away from the lower wards;
commerce actually battered at the walls of the
church, and demanded its removal to make way
for warehouses, such as were sprnging up on
every side; the locality was too good to be over
looked If it could be secured; but the lamented
mad hat ~
should be left undone that would preserve intact
the church, which he proudly styled
'aTHE CRADLE OF CATHOLICITY
in the city OF New York" To carry out his idea the
Archbishop placed Father Quinn in charge of the
parish knowing that it required one who would
and could untiringly work to relieve the church
from Its embarrassments and, with his keen In
sight into human nature, knowing, also. that
Father Quinn was the man he wanted. Results
have shown the soundness OF the AIcn6lsnops
and yesterday he had the pardonably proud satis-
faction OF being able to state that OF peculiar
debt, amounting to 100000, not one dollar re-
NAMED unpaid Under his supervision the church
has been beauti1ed, the attendance at the schools,
ordinary indebtedness on the church building has
been largely diminished, on every hand there are
ened I the d dismemberment Of his nocK had not
frightened him away but that he had been
good shepherd" and not q "hrelng." The death
to I'LL which Archbishop McCloskey has appointed
Father Quinn. For the purpose OF attending to
the duties OF the Vicar Generalship Father Quinn
was obliged to retire from the pastOrship OF st.
Peters and yesterday he delivered his last sermon
The affairs were brilliant with numerous waxen
tapers and devices of natural flowers. The oflciat-
ing priests wore vestments OF gold cloth, heavily
and tastefully embroidered in bright golden
thread. The sprightly young acolytes wore snowy
surplices and crimson soutans. and all together
BRILLIANT AND IMPRESSIVE PICTURE.
The mass was celebrated by the Rev. M. c.
ss o the Res M pasa as
Rev. Father Valois, of Montreal, ofllciated as
master Of ceremonies and directed all the move
style. At the appropriate portion Of the mass the
new Vicar General assembled the pulpit, and alter
reading some ordinary notices proceeded to
deliver
He took as his text the gospel Of the dsy-JOhn
x, (which contains the parable OF the Good
Shepherd, who is ready, II necessary, to lay down
his life to protect his flock. The reverend gentleman
went on and explained the beautiful figure drawn
BY the Divine Redeemer In the parable, and how
fully the character OF Christ was exemphed in the
person of the good Shepherd at would be diff
cult to conceive any figure which would represent
so truly and beautifully the character OF Christ as
that OF the shepherd. 1t embraces in ITSELF as any
one can easily understand everything that i'm
plies great interest, great care great vigilance on
the part OF the shepherd. 1t implies the greatest
tenderness, the greatest interest In the welfare Of
the mock the greatest anxiety protect the iocks
from harm and danger and providing for them
Ss nome men t mao
from generation to generation, from cen
tSry to century. men uo turned away from
were buried In the depths Of inquity and sin.
He who presents Himself to-day as the Good
Shepherd comes into this world, is conceived and
born In miraculous manner Of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, and after some years OF retirement He APP
pears among the people IN the character t o.
fere with the discharge OF the solemn duties lie
had assumed No false representations, no
on Him, could deter Him or cause Him ever to de-
sert His nock, aud He proved His teaching by lay
ing down His lie for them"
lie then proceeded to show the delight our Di-
vine Redeemer took in using the simle of the shep
herd. That when He gave His command to Sc.
- SPEED MY SHEEP, FEED MY LAMBS"
He showed that the priests OF the Catholic Church,
having been ordained by the grace OF God to carry
on the work commenced by Christ on EARTH had
been faithful at all times. He appealed to history
to corroborate the assertion, and the countless
army or martyrs to demonstrate the fact that they
were ready at any time to lay down their lives in
the discharge OF their duty.
was given In few words lie said :-'To-day, be-
loved brethren, cannot leave the pulpit without
saying WORD or two more S itwsud look perhaps
announce to you that some changes have
been lately made BY the Archbishop Father
time OF his ordination, upwards OF i've years, and
who mas gained the esteem, the friendship and the
the duties been rewarded by a promotion TO the
pastoral charge OF the city OF Rondout. His pres
ence here prevents me from saying more about
him that i would like to say and which he
justly deserves; but can say that congratulate
the Catholics OF Rondout for having obtained
pastor so devoted and so capable. Another change
has been made, In my own case. 1t was not
matter OF command on the part OF the Archbishop;
but although leave you with regret could not
decline the offer that was made me under the cir
cumstances which surrounded 1t. My place will
be filed by Father O'Farrell, ST., who has been
here nearly three years. He will come here
during the present week and take charge Of the
congregation and the parish. ! know him very
WELL and think 1t would be difncult to find cler-
gyman who would be better calculated to give sat
isaction. When looked back twentythree or
twenty years thought 1t would be well to say
nothing. There have been many changes in that
time. Many who were 81 great aid have passed