The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-23
ST. STEPHENS CHURCH.

Sermon by the Rev. DE-. McGlynn-The
Fast and Its Lcssons-Lenten Lecture
by the Rev. Father McCready.
large congregation attended the high mass al
this church yesterday The Lenten season always
brings TO ST. Stephens wOrshippers IRON all parts
OF the city. 1t would seem that the homes,
who ordinarily allow their souls to take OF
themselves, like to be religious fash0nably as
they can, and when guardian angels 40 far prevail
upon them as to go to church these good people
appear IN pews, looking as If they had done SER
vice to heaven and earth by their extraordinary
c0ndescension. Young people, who don't think
seriously about existence at ALL evidently feel In
this lasl-named sort OF way. and do, no doubt,
leave the church elate under the overwhelming re-
nection that they have been guilty OF the crime OF
having said their prayers, even in Lent.
The nigh mass was celebrated Oy the Rev. Father
Flynn and the sermon preached by the Rev. DR..
ncGlynn. The preacher before reading the Gospel
OF tue day, spoke OF the church debt, urging the
parisniOners to give generously towards the
liquidation OF the heavy debt which still hung
the church. He alluded in complimentary terms
to the prompt response that had been given by
some gentlemen who worshIpped in that church,
but he desired that all the pensioners, so Tar as
the payment OF the debt. The church edlfce
NOBLE one, and was something to hand down to
those VINO should come alter them and, consider
ing that this obligation the part OF the parish
toner's was so long pending he felt 1t TO be his duty
now to take up this burden and dispose OF 1t.
Or. McGlynn then read the Gospel OF the day.
from the fourth chapter OF Matthew, in which is
rected the lesson OF our Loras last OF forty days.
Taxing this story as his text ne went on to instruct
his hearers as to the Lenten fast should be OBJ
served Our Lords last was intended no doubt,
TO show us and all Christians the need there
OF seiEmortifcation The word and its vanties
were so aliuring and poor humanity was 80 weak
that 1t was necessary to suodue the carnal appe-
tite, SO that by Withdrawing the soul from earthly
things we should be reminded OF our duty to our
Creator. And thus in the wisdom of the Church
we were told, as all the teachings OF the Church
told US TO inmate the Master IN this self-denial,
just as the Church warmed our hearts with its per-
petual remindngs OF the love and Oh the mercy and
the affection Tor men OF Jesus
In the evening, at half-past seven O'Clock, the
Rev. Father McCready delivered the first Of the
series OF sunday Lenten sermons. The discourse
was upon penance, the preacher showing the ne
cessity there was OF atonement to the Almighty
for offences against Him. He explained the nature
OF penance, ITS necessity, The manner and form Of
it and its effects; and in so doing he drew vivid
pictures of the life Of q sinner whose remorse and
self-accusngs were in themselves conclusive
PROOFS OF the link that bound the human soul to It's
maker. In this season OF Lent especially we ought
to take to heart the duties we owe to God and to
seize upon this opportunity which The Church so
generously offered to those who were wandering,
great object Tor which they were created-that
they might love and serve God here and be happy
with him forever hereafter
ST. AIMS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The Nature and Uses OF Penance and
the Parable Of the PrOdigal Som
Lenten Musical Services.
Thomas s. Preston, pastor Of the above beautiful
little church, Twelfth street, preached at high
mass on "The Nature and Uses Of Penance." He
dwelt particularly on the holy sacrament Of PEN
ance as represented by confession, and cautioned
the congreg alton not to forget the Importance OF
seeking reconciliation with God and making atone
ment Tor past transgressons by means OF this
The . mornhcatlon Of the flesh during the
present penitential season Is special man.
Ia
disregard such commands. The mass sung on this
0ccasion--the "Glorian being, of course, omitted
was Haydn's First Mass. M. Dachauer, the organ
Vs. uaav ne Of aydns
tractive feature OF the first mass is the ''Agnus
Dei," q well spring OF melody and harmony. Mile.
"Veni Creator" by Wederlin and the entire
nrst movement OF ROssini's ''Stabat Mater" was
rendered with real devotional expression and
thorough musical effect at the Onertory by the
choir beautiful, unaccompanied quartet by
Auber, 40 Salutaris, " was an appropriate selec-
ton at the Elevation.
In the evening Rev. H. 8. Lake preached
the first of series Of six Lenten sermons
ON the parable OF the prodgal son. The subject
"Revot OF the Prodgal-Temptation 10 Sin ~
q Trial OF the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Of SIM"
g. "Fall OF the Prodiga-Slns OF the Wealthy"
L. Degradation of the Prodigai-Mortai SIM"
s. "Repentance OF the PrOdigal-Contrtion for
Sin - 6. forgiveness Of the Prodgai-Mercy Of
God Towards Sinners.n The "Stabat Mater'' OF
Gor0igani, or rather a collection of the best
sacred melodies and concerted pieces OF this
eminent composer, who has been termed the
Italian schubert, with the words OF the ''Stabat
Mater, substituted for the original prayers was
sung by the choir under the direction OF Nj. Louis
Dachauer, the solo quartet being Mile. octave
of remarkable power and It's now of melody and
contrapuntal effects possess irresistible attrac-
TONS 1t was given with rare effect. Gounod's
''Stabat Mater" Will be sung on next Sunday
evening.