The New York herald., 1874-11-30
ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL.
Sermon by the Rev. Father Damen-
The Prodiga1 Sons Return.

The mission for men was begun at the Cathedral
yesterday, that for the women having closed on
Saturday evening. The Rev. Father Damen
preached the sermon at the high mass yesterday.
He took his text from the parable of the Prodigal
Son. The sermon in its line OF argument and ex-
hortation was similar to that which lie delivered
last sunday. He showed how necessary 1t
was for mans salvation that he should
himself work to secure 1t. We were
all living in a world where everything and every
body went along in hurry-scurry sort Of way,
and we but seldom gave thought to our own
eternal future. We were said to be- wing in an
age OF great thought. This was true so far as
material things were concerned. We were living
in an age OF great research and INVENTION but the
man who invented the newest Improvements in
the telegraph, the newest kind OF sewing ma
chimes, the most admirable specimens OF time-sav
ing machines in all the departments OF labor was
not because OF that sure OF his souls salvation. 1t
was not he who made the greatest name for himself
IN this world soldier, statesman, an inventor,
q leader In politics IN the ream OF letters who
was the surest Of eternal happiness. 1t was too
often the case that the men who were the most
famous, VINO had seen success meet their every
worldly wish, were the least mindful that beyond
the dazzle OF this existence ere was something
to be gained or lost OF more value than all the
fame and wealth OF the earth combined. We
were ali living in wnirl of excitement every day,
and 1t behooved US all once In while 70 seriously
reflect upon our future the other side the grave.
1t would avail us nothing, no matter how great
we might make ourselves In this world, were we
TO die IN sn with souls hateful IN the s.ght OF
q God who is all purity. The irtenus OF the pollti-
clan, who had swayed thousands, and at whose
call men had crlnged and fawned, might, at his
death, hear it said on all sides that ne was
"a Goop-HEARTED FELLowo
ana all that; but IL his soul was burned In hell OF
what avail would be the blind judgment OF men;
OF what avail the wealth and power and renOwn
gained during few years OF lie on earth? The
Chief end man should ever have in view under
all circumstances was his souls salvation, for that
was really the only important thing worth strv
ing Ior. If that was gained everything else was
as pothing: that lost all was lost 1t was GER
tainly wonder that men VINO were so careful in
their business re atlons and who looked so
wisely to their gains should give no need to
the business OF eternity. None OF Us knew when
the dread angel would call for US. II might be at
the very moment when we believed ourselves
stronger and healthier than ever and with riches
and plenty IN store; and II might be- too. when
hall listening to the prompting OF our conscience
to return TO God we put the return of till the NOR
row which never came Referring TO the parable
OF the Prodlgal Son during his discourse the rever-
end father showed how good God was to sinners;
how His arms were ever open to receive
THE TRULY REPENTANT,
no matter how henous had been their SINS. He
was q loving ather that wished His children hap
piness and who could not bear to them suffer.
lie wished their eternal salvation, not their dam.
nation, and 1t depended therefore on all OF US TO
so live as to be worthy OF enjoying heaven with
Him for all eternity God gave every man grace
sufficient to save hts soul, and II that soul was
finally lost IL was because OF the abuse OF the
grace given.