The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-06
ST. PATRIoK's CATHEDRAL

tho Festival or the Eptphany-The Ex-
ample OF Faith Presented by the Three
Wise Men-Thc Duties OF tho New Year.
The services at st. Patricks Cathedral yesterday
were attended by small congregation compared
with those that usually nock to its sacred and
memorable precincts. The mass was, however,
not less impressive and grand nor the music less
excellent and edifying. The very Rev. Vicar Gen.
eral STAIRS preached the sermon, and the Rev.
Father McNamee acted as celebrant. The Very
Reverend Archbishop was also present in his Pom
tical robes. After ascending the pulpit DR.. STAIRS
read the Gospel OF
THE Feast OF THE EPIPHANY.
which Is kept to-day, commencing with the begin.
ming OF the second chapter ofSt. Matthew and end
ing at the twelfth verse. He took his text from the
second verse-'"Where Is He that is born King OF
the Jews for we have seen His star in the east
and are come TO worship Him."
He then said of all the benefits conferred on
us by Creator the highest in Importance is the
manifestation Of Ills Divinity-of the knowledge Of
Himself Creation itself cannot be compared with
1t. For what benefit would 1t have been to have
enjoyed existence and not the means OF preparing
our souls for heaven Until the time of the incar
nation Of our Lord and Saviour this gift was I'M
parted only To one hati0n-the Jews. All others
death. At length the time Of mercy came-the
moment arrived when this glft was conferred
upon all the nations Of the earth. e.
THE FRINGE or PEACE -
desired OF all nations came down from heaven
and was born in Bethlehem Of judah. bright
glad tidfngs 70 the peoples in the East Of the COM
Ing Of a Saviour and to invite them to bring the
first fruits ofthe Gentiles to
THE CRIB OF BETHLEHEM.
This signal perhaps not understood by the multi.
tude, and only by the three who were called wise
during the festival Of the Epiphany tGat they
iourneyed to bethlehem to pay homage and to
make offerings to the Messiah.
dren should express gratitude to God for oil bless
ings such as this, seems to go in spirit with the
and make offerings. This feast Of the Epiphany is
q second Christmas tn 1t IS, properly speaking
The caurc always Celebrates Il WITH great soem
hIty and keeps it as one Of the principal holidays
q che year: few reneetions on the nature Of
this season. on that Christmas night when the
the astonished who rose from their sleep
%Ss s TSa WISE
inhabtants Of country east OF India probably Of
Arabia They men Of and SCI
tons OF their fOrefathers that
KING WAS TO BE BORN,
appearance OF an extraordinary star. Accordingly
they set out wishing to know the truth In obedience
st e na even in the cold winter season under
took a long Journey Their obedience was perfect,
and their courage and perseverance extraordinary.
At length they arrived at Jerusalem, and the star
disappeared: They then went to Herod the King
to inquire where the Saviour was to be born, and
HE CALLED THE HIGH PRIESTS
and they said that he was to be born In Bethlehem,
of judah. They resumed their journey, and soon
approached Bethlehem, led by the shining Of the
where the Saviour was. They locked at the house
a humble dwelling-and looked at each other. Was
1t possible that this was the birth place OF the great
KingP They looked then at the star, and saw that
where the Child was, and adored him, and offered
him
GIFTS OF GOLD. FRANKINCENsE AND MYRRH.
It Is astonishing with what devotion they adored
knowledge Of the true God. Perhaps they hal
heretofore only adored the sun, moon and stars or
some inferior creatures. Their faith was perfect.
by their gifts OF gold Is denoted charity and love
notifications by frankincense prayer. Such were
the things they offered; and 1t was the duty or
every Christian at this season to make to the oil.
vine Saviour the same offerings. You should ex-
anime yourselves and see II you have followed
TIVE EXAMPLE OF OUR SAVIOUR
during the past year and during the one that Is
opening you continue obedient and devoted to Him.
Now He Is a God OF mercy. After time He may be
God Of justice, and those two alternatives are
clearly displayed in the history OF the Epiphany
mercy and justice-mercy to the Gentiles and JUS
tlce to the Jews.
ON TIE WAY TO ANOTHER PLACE.
We are all on the way to another place-all in
search Of Jesus, and may our Bethlehem be heaven
and our guide the Catholic Church. We have had
trials. We may have more. Let us be faithful to
the teachings OF our guide. Cling to her, and to
show love for God let us be faithful to her In
every respect and then we will have the happiness
OF seeing another Bethlehem above and Will find
the Child with Mary His mother.