The New York herald., 1874-08-31
ST. STEPHENS CHURCH.
Rev. DIR. McGlynn on the Ministry OF
Christ and the Priesthood.

Rev. DIR. McGlynn ON the Ministry of
Christ and the Priesthood.
very large congregation attended the services
at ST. Stephens Roman Catholic church, on
Twenty eighth street, at eleven A. NJ. yesterday.
The singing and the music were exceptionally
fine. High mass was celebrated by Rev. Father
McCauley, and Rev. DR.. McGlynn the pastor,
preached an interesting discourse from st. Luke,
VIII. $3.50. The text, be said, was beautiful illus
tration OF a true conversion. in which are joined
faith hope, love and sorrow for sin. The lesson
fnds it's appropriate Interpretation in the won.
drous monument Of the wisdom and goodness OF
God our Saviour which He left with His Church.
1t was necessary for our salvation that He should
supply an all sufficient ministry for our salvation
This ministry We find exercised in this Cos
pei. 1t is not necessary for US to question
the wisdom OF God. When God first came
upon earth and planted His ministry, and
Himself taught it TO mankind, lie met with oppos-
ton. He found murmurers and opposers on all
sides. When the poor sinful woman, spoken OF in
the text came to Him in the house OF Simon, the
Pharsee, and anointed His feet with precious
ointment, and kissed them, the Pharlsee said,
"This man, II he were prophet, would know
surely who and what manner of woman this ls
that toucheth him, that she Is sinner.'
The Pharlsee was surprised that Jesus did not
spurn the poor creature that had prostrated her
self before Him. But what did Christ 90? He was
some thing more than prophet, and not only
knew what manner OF woman she was, but OF
what clay He had made her. He did not drive her
from His presence. lie forgave her sins and bade
her 60 IN peace. He taught by this ministry that
His mission earth was not to call the righteous
but Sinners to repentance. He would leave the
ninety and nine sheep to seek the one that was
lost. This sinful woman rushed into His presence
rnadmitted, in spite OF all lmprOpretes and found
HIM whom her soul sought and she asked no
more. She kissed His feet, anointed them with
her precious ointment and with tears, and these
actions told Him or her perfect repentance ana
wondrous love, and He vindicated His right TO
admit her to His presence and 10 forgive her past
wrongs. lie tells these Pharisees-"li sne has
slnned much, yet many SINS are forgiven her be-
cause she has loved mucn." Let those who would
love Christ and serve Him best put on spirit
OF gentieness and humility. Let HIS ministers
learn to exercise this doctrine OF humility; to be
kind, patient, loving, as Christ has been. Our
! Saviour indicated TO Himself the right OF ad-
mitting this woman to His presence and iorglvlng
sins. He has lett HIS apostles TO do the same
work. He has said to them, "As the Father hath
sent me, also send you.r To His priests He has
! impaired TO them the Holy Ghost and delegated
| to them the same power to exercise His ministry
faithful, loving spouse Of Christ, mindful OF It's
| Master. He says to her, "Do TINS in remem-
brance OF me-" Whenever she can gather together
! lew willing hands and hearts she erects to Him
an altar, and TO TINS altar the prodigal may come,
clad in MS unseemly rags, and PROSTATE before
| Him, say, "Father l have slnned," and
be forgiven. Our Saviour did not alone
consider II sum cent TO come on earth and
die and thus make q sacrifice lot the sins OF man
kind but He instituted the priesthood, by which
TO apply to individual hearts the graces He pur
chased by shedding His blood on the cross. This
woman He iorgave recognized, as did the prophet
OF old how beautiful upon the mountains are the
! feet OF Him that brngeth good tldlngs, that pub
lisneth peace; that pubsheth salvation. This is
! the philosophy Of the tribunal OF penance. The
Church OF Christ has stood in every age and stands
to-day in spite OF the murmurngs ana the mis-
| representations and prosecutions OF ScrDes and
! Pharsees. With hearts ali withered, prOGigas and
sinners OF every degree may come to Christ and
| seek His forgiveness in the tribunal OF penance.
/ Look at the parable OF the prodlgaI son. 1t pre-
sents most touching picture OF the SOU that SINS
You know that the prodgal son, when he
came TO himself, said, II Will arise and
20 unto my rather and Will say unto
him. rather, l have sinned against heaven
and before thee, and am no more worthy to be
called thy son." He was but preparing to go to
confession. IL is the blessed ministry OF the priest
that he is the father TO the prodiga and while the
prodgal is aSgreat way off he sees and has COM
passion on him. The tribunal OF penance is the
very door By which we enter into close CON-
munion with God our Father. 1t is His command
that through this sacrament OF reconciliation we
NAV become purified and fitted to SIT at His table.
1t is here the new ana the clean garment is put
on Here we are permitted TO come at the very
feet OF Jesus; to kiss His feet and annoint them
witt