The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-02

scarcely could bring more pleasant weather, and
IL Is to be presumed that the absentees from
church felt that they were performing some glori-
GUS or national or most responsible duty In look
ing out New YEARS. festivities instead OF heark
ening to Holy Mother Church's voice and observ-
ing the holiday as Sunday is generally observed.
At the Cathedral masses were celebrated the
same as on Sundays, and in the afternoon vespers
were sung the same usual ON Sundays
At st. Stephens church the high mass was cele-
brated by the Rev. Father McCready who, after
the second Gospel. delivered q short discourse on
the festival OF the day. The year has passed, he
said, with all It's pleasures, trials, dangers, woes
and viclsstudes. Not one of US but has seen some
thing to remind him how brief life Is and how sud
den may be the termination to the ideal projects
and plans we may form as to the future. kind
times. In our neglectfuness OF Gods providence
and OF his great good nature to us we continue to
lead lives offensive to Him. showing in every par
ticular action defiance OF our dependence upon
our Lord and our God We can look back at the
past year and there Is not one OF us but can see
which we have committed. The tender heart VIII
feel the record Of many unkind things said about
neighbOr which are displeasing to God Each and
every one OF US has something or other to accuse
ourselves Of God speaks to our hearts in mystic
rious ways.-sometimes In tribulatlons, sometimes
In joys. Yet If we look back at the past
year we shall find the heavy clouds OF our indi-
vidua lie with thick silver Innings, bearing in their
brightness hopeful and cheering signs OF the
Saviour's mercy We have all had something to
be thankful for. The Creators mercy to the crea-
ture has everywhere 80 ab0unded that 1t must
strike the most Obdurate heart In Its efficacy. 1t
is mistake to think that hard hearts do not &C
knowledge the goodness OF God. Christ is so good,
so kind, gentle, so loving, so inviting that His
sunerings, If not His voice, appeal even uncon-
sciOusly to the greatest unbeIlever. And on day
like this we cannot wish better than TO ask OF God
to give to those who are separated from Him In
faith the grace OF faith, that they may know Him
and love Him, and, in Knowing Him
and loving Him. serve Him as the honest servant
serves the master For all OF u.s. the best as well as
duplication on the beginning Of this New Year
first, thanking God for His mercies OF the past
year. and, secondly, beseechng of Him to pour
down upon us such graces as may enable US to
overcome temptation in the year to come This is
for us time OF grace, gathered we are here to-
gether on this New Years Day. There are periods
In our lives which seem to strike apt and good
to make resolutions and surely the beginning OF
the new year ought to be OF all times the choicest
on which to begin to repair defects and to do deeds
but He gives 1t. We cannot ask 1t now, but He
Will give it, There ought to be the more reason
for thinking that He VIII give it now
because with the beginning Of the New
Year we are more, or ought to be,
bless in the future with special lavOrs; that He
shall not withdraw from us His mercy and His
love- but that He shall continue day after day, to
bless us and insA INTO our hearts the graceS that
will lead US to salvation.
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
At old Trinity yesterday the day was observed
with all the religious sOemnity which the Epis-
cOpallan service so admirably makes pertinent
to festival occasions, The chimes rang out,
usual, calling the people to church, and, in their
joyous tones, telling OF q general holiday.
At Grace church and AT all the other Protestant
Episcopal churches in the city services apprO-
PIRATE to the occasion were held.