The New York herald., 1874-09-28
ct. STEPHENS CHURCH.
Sermon by the Rev. Father McCauley-
The Necessity Of Prayer-The DispOsi.

Sermon by the Rev. Father McCauley-
The Necessity of Prayer-Tho DISPOSE
tions with which We Should Pray.
The return OF the 'Tashionables" from the sea-
side and country was evidenced by the well filed
pews and crowded galleries in st. Stephens yes
terday morning. The high mass was celebrated
by the Rev. Father McCready. At the conclusion
OF the first gospel the organ peaed forth the
touching strains OF the famous hymn, "ven Crea-
tor Spirtus.n When the choir had finished the
singing of the hymn the Rev. Father McCauley
ascended the pulpit and delivered aole discourse
on prayer. 1t was his first appearance in ST..
Stephens pulpit, and II one might judge from
the attention with which he was listened to, he
made most favorable impression on the congre-
cation. The sermon was carefully prepared, and
was rich in telling extracts from tue sacred
Scriptures. He selected as his text the consohng
passage Christs last discourse to His disciples,
John xvi, 23:-"Amen, amen, l say TO you: II you
ask the Father anything In my name he will give
1t yOu,u and said :-Such are the assuring words
In which our Lord extends to US the kindly Invita-
tion to have recourse to Him In all our troubles.
They were among the last which our blessed Re-
deemer addressed to His disciples before the COM
mencement OF His bitter passion. rhey were ad-
dressed to them; they were also addressed TO US.
They came warm rom
THAT LOVING HEART
which was then going 70 yield up for our sake the
last drop of It's most precious blood. The solemn
assurance contained In these words occurs In DIFF.
ferent parts OF the sacred writings. blessed be
GOd.n said David, "who hath not turned away
my prayer, nor his mercy from me-" The royal
prophet knew well that while the gilt OF prayer
was left him the bosom oil mercy continued open, all
the treasures OF divine grace were still within hfs
reach. We have that h0pe-giving promise to give
assurance to our confidence In Gods mercy. III
you ask the Father anything IN my name ne Will
give 1t to you" But we refuse 70 ask s relief vi ana
help, weak indeed are the grounds on whAcn rest
our hopes OF future happiness.
Our Lord, IN the Sermon ON the Mount, az the
request OF Hts disciples, "Lora, teacn ,is now 10
pray" composed prayer "Our fatnet,m &C.
tons OF religion and suppncati0ns ior Az our
needs, Doth spiritual and temporal. ne says, oy
the mouth Of st. James, "iou have not, because
ySa ASK n not" DANES w. ~ clearly % ,nslMaslns whcn n
cannot hope 10 receive. The Master again ana
again warns us OF the necessity OF prayer-"Watcn
ye and pray, lest you enter into temptation"
Epistle to the Thessaionians, enfvrces the press
ing and constant obligation OF this duty IN terms,
n possible more explicit-"PrAy without ceasng.
ia Gil things giving thanks. for this ls the will Of
God concerning you ALL" II. Thessalonians, w.,
our Lord came into this world not merely to
teach, but TO DO our exemplar and our model BE
ught;' therefore lie frequently prayed W. dad
HIN, Immediately before Els Introduction to pup-
Lo lie, spending forty days
IN PRAYER AND FASTING.
And on the eve OIL Ills passion we are told that He
retired 10 the Garden ol Gethsemxne. where the
provision OF His own fearful suierings and the
crushing weight OF the sins OF the world. whlcG He
hao taken upon Himself. wrung drops OF bloody
Hanging On the cross Christ prayed the Heav-
emily Father to forgive His executoners, Father,
forgive them they know not what they dou
Since. than vs fad that Christ not only nxhorA