The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-18
CHURCH DEDICATION AT ASTORIA.

DeOlcat1On OF the Church OF Sts Mary,
Of Mount CarmeI-sermon by Bishop
Loughiln-Thc Mission OF the Church.
Yesterday marks an epoch in the history OF AS
toria, for 1t will long be memorable for the dedica-
ton OF the first Catholic church in the town. True,
there has been church In the place heretofore,
but It's holy uses, and not Its appearance, entitled
1t to the name. 1t was small, low wooden
building, which barely sheltered the devoted
heads Of the worshppers from the Indictment
weather. Father Phealan, knowing the fact,
and conscious that such was not 1T
place for such numerous and in some respects,
wealthy congregation to worship began to advo-
cate the necessity of new building and his efforts
were crowned by the good work Of yesterday. The
laying OF the corner stone, some time since, was
noticed at length in the HERALD. and on thaS occa
sion the question was asked when the church
would be finished. prominent member said all
would be satisfied II Ii was finished IN the winter
OF 1873. From this 1t Will be seen that the most
sangune hopes of the good wishers OF the church
have been surpassed.
At ten O'Clock the procession was formed in the
vestry room, and the solemn march around the
tapers, preceded Father Phealan, VINO walked i'm
mediately In front of Bishop Loughlin, to whose
prayers he chanted the responses. The procession
across the front to the centre entrance, through
when they filed up the middle aisle to the altar
across the church to the right aisle, up the right
aisle to the altar again. where the Bishop cAanted
the Of s Sc 1Ss y the
quartet from Brooklyn that had volunteered
to sing. They arrived at eleven O'Clock,
mass was celebrated, and Bishop Loughn preached
ue Rad g. paps II nnisIe to- the Oor,ntnans
1--WE preach Christ cruc.ded-a stumbling block to
the Jews.' Before speaklngoi the text the Bishop
on sno o e ee 10
speaks well for your zeal in the cause of Catholi
city. Its beauty and symmetry WILL as all things
beautiful do, increase devotion or your inclination
towards 1t. hope 1t ID the f0rerunner OF many
moro, larger and more beautiful, which hope soon
to see rise up in the midst Of your pretty little
In speaking Of the text. his reverence said:-
Preaching Christ cruc1ed was not alone the work
of the Apostles, but or their successors Tor the
Divine injunction was, go forth and preach the
Word to oil nations and every creature" This
to transmit to their successors, as Christ
had given 1t to them as His successors.
The Church was not made for any special age or
any particular people; IL was to be immortal and
universal, and to fulfil these requirements it must
Of necessity be handed down from generation to
generation, or else lost to the great masses OF the
people who have not the education to discover its
grand truths and maxms and live up to them.
THE WORK OF PREACHING
is not alone with the priest minister, for with
out auditors there Is no preaching They must be
there to hear and receive the lessons OF Divine love
and justice and to profit by them. 10 pay the
tithes and build churches is an essential part Of
the work of Christian laymen, for without them
Tie SUU6CuHtldi, Ut TuJNcT ulaterldl, HlOuuIQcutS
OF Christianity could not be raised We build
churches In which to 'preach Christ crucined o
stumbling block to the Jews" but to you q mani
festation OK the wisdom, power ana glory Of God.
You see and recognize In the Church the hand Of
God, SO mcrcifuliy extended to support the grand
truths Of religion and to afford the means OF trans
hitting them to the rcmotest posteritY; for says
Christ Himself, go preach and am with you, even
unto the contamination OF the world"
The work which Christ handed to the Apostles Is
now being done for you. Profit by the lessons
which the work contains. Cherish them in social
hpr IN n M tran fhnu tn
your children, whom you hope to meet in heaven,
as priceless bo0n-a princey patrimony.