The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-10-12
ST. STEPHENS CHURCH.

Sermon by the Rev. DIR. 'McGIynn-An
Appeal i'm Aid OF st. Joseph's Semi
nary, Troy, N. Y.
large and respectable congregation assembled
in ST. Stephens church yesterday morning at the
high mass, which was celebrated by the Rev.
Father Fox, o. s. F. After the first gospel the
Rev. Or. McGlynn having announced that q
ladies' fair TO help to delray the debt OF the church.
would open IN the basement nall OF St. stephens
on the 20tn ms t., delivered an eloquent appeal in
aid OF the Provincial Seminary, at Troy, N. Y. He
spoke In feeling terms OF the vastness OF the
harvest In this country and tle iewness OF the
reapers. the discourse was listened to with the
attention which the pastor OF ST. Stephens
always commands. The following is synopsis OF
THE SERMON.
1t is not only a duty but high privilege for the
faithful to have o share in the grand and noble
work OF educating young men for the priesthood.
In the institution Of the sacraments and IN the
establishment OF q ministry to confer them Christ
plainly points out His plan for the redemption OF
man; and IL is the privilege OF the laity to help
the perfection Of that plan by contributing to the
establishment ana support of seminaries in which
the young Levites OF the New Law may acquire
ecclesiastical knowledge and form those habits OF
virtue so necessary for the conversion and the
edicatfon OF the world. In presenting ST. Joseph's
Seminary Iroy as ented 70 your most liberal
ing want OF more priests In this great city
and diocese no your ah pc gns
with generous hand to the education OF cand-
dates Tor the priesthood. II you really believe
grace, and that the blood or Jesus nOws as etii-
caciously through them as II did from the wounds
in His sacred hands and feet on the cross, you
Will need no appeal TO support the institution in
which those, who have been called as Aaron"
trained in the paths of virtue and qualified to
act as ministers of those sacraments
You should remember that are but the
stewards OF oil OF this worlds wealth that you
strict account OF how you have administered the
trust. You might well take a lesson from
our separated brethren, VINO support their theo-
logical semlnarles with no niggard hand ana en-
dow them with
PRINCELY MUNIFICENcE
n Catholics would initiate their good example
we would soon have not only sufncient NUMBER
OF priests in this archdiocese, but we could sup
port home missions, and even send apostles to
preach the truth and show the light to those "WhO
sit in darkness and In the shadow OF death.n
In to-day's gospel we read OF the ruler who had
travelled from Capernaum, city on the western
shore or the Lake OF Galilee to Cana for the pur-
pose OF asking Jesus Ito come down and heal MS
son; who was SICK at Capernaum." TINS mans
faith was ut first imperfect, for our Saviour adj
dresses him as one OF q class who always looked
for signs and wonders and yet did not believe the
characteristic OF the Jews to ask for
signs. Such wonders they sought eagerly,
partly through curiosity, partly through am
favored people OF God; not with view 70 repent
ance ana conversion. The rulers faith was gross,
but when his son was miraeuiously cured we are
told that he and his whole house amilyl believed.
Catholics who do not perform their duty In work
ing out the divine plan Of redemption by helping
TO educate ministers for Gods altar and Tor the adj
mnstratlon OF His sacraments, are not unlike the
ruler IN the grossness or their faith They, too,
seek signs and wonders and show the barrenness
OF their faith in their reluctance to contribute TO
the support or these institutions, which the
Church, under the Divine guidance. has established
rs nurseries OF her priest hood. Let your contri-
buttons to-day show the fruitf,ilness of your
faith IN Gods plan OF teaching and redeemlng
through the ministry OF His priesthood.