The New York herald., 1874-09-21
ST. TEEEsA's ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The Mission of the Church.

ST. TERESA'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The Mission OF the Church.
Notwithstanding the threatening aspect OF the
weather yesterday morning large congregation
gathered IN ST. Teresas church, corner OF Rutgers
and Henry streets. to listen to Rev. Father Mac
donald. d. d., young priest from the American
College at Rome. The affairs OF the church were
brilliantly Illuminated and the music mot by any
means the least attractive feature OF the servlce)
was OF the highest order. Rev. Father ward cele-
brated high mass and at the conclusion of the
gospel Father Macdonald ascendcd the pulpit. In
the beginning of the discourse the manner OF the
youthful preacher was strained and his gesticula-
ton rather unnatural and forced but as his ner-
vousness wore on his delivery became free and
smooth and at times he was almost eloquent The
subject OF the sermon was 1.-THE Mission OF the
Church." the text being taken from st.
Matthew, xviii, 20-"Teachlng them to observe
all things whatsoever l have commanded you;
and 10 am with you always, even to the con-
summation Of the world. Amen" The original
condition OF Adam was one OF physical perfection.
The trials and tribuations OF ordinary mortals did
not fail to his lot To make his joy the more COM
plete, II possible God formed helpmate. THIS
man ana woman, placed in the Garden OF Eden,
were possessed OF every pleasure that could charm
the senses. Sorrow pain, hunger or fatigue,
they never knew. The liveong day was but one
round OF new delights. In q word all the pleas
ures OF sense and intellect which We must labor so
asslduously for were theirs, unailoyed. They
walked with God and where God Is there must
be perfect peace and bliss Does 1t not seem
strange, then, that man should by his own
deliberate act deprive himself OF all these bless
1ngs and become sinner? Yet TINS was so.
Strong and wise as Adam WAS he fell, and 1t was
only through Gods mercy that he could be saved
from eternal condemnation. The question natu-
rally arises,
WHAT Is TO BECOME OF Us.
who, inheriung Adams siaiul nature are still
shOrn Of the buwarks OF defence he was possessed
OF? Let US rejoice that God has opened IA way for
us to gain heaven aud escape the terrible eonse-
Guences ol SIN through Jesus Christ, our Lord and
ard helper is the Church. 4 beautiful type OF the
the history OF the Children OF Israel God gave them
pillar Of cloud by day anda pillar OF fire by night,
and favor was ever vita them, and When they
were ia need OF food He sent them mama from
heaven Truly most beautiful figure OF the molly
Church. Man Is born IN complete ignorance, hut
Is endowed with mind capable OF cultivation and
the reception or truth. de Is surrounded by
objects which stimulate his curiosity, out IN order
to avoid ialiing INTO error lie must find a
teacher. At first the simple lessons OF child
hood, learned at mothers knee, are suf-
clent Later on he is sent to school
and college and culls from the wisdom which has
been accumuiatlng tor ares such portions as it is
deemed rlgnt and proper he should extract. But
the urther he advances into the realms and ND
den mysteries OF knowledge the harder becomes
the all-important questions which arise. Whence
am WHAT am | destined Tor? How came l
mere what am to do in thsworld These are
momentous questions, and il the theory OF immor-
taty be not laIse, lifetime even is all too short
science is not infallible, neither are the opinions
OF man. 1t was Tor this then, tnat IN the good
ness and mercy OF God the Church was established.
IL was TO prevent humanity IRON beng harassed
with doubts or deceived by plausible theories.
Christ has revealed 'the way, the truth'' and .the
llght' to the Church, and all things else necessary.
To the Church IN the person OF the apostles was
issued her broad commission. He that believeth
the Church beleveth Christ, and ne that refuses
to listen to her teachings wanting In his duty to
God, because the Church mas been
AUTHORIZED TO TEACH
by Christ himself. It is the province OF the Church
to teach. How well she has performed her duty
hlstory VIII bear witness. She has educated the
not as much OF g ID as the chic who has mastered
his catechsm. Her learning has in truth been the
bore witness to this fact when he proclaimed
Christianity has marched at the head OF civiliza-
probationary stare. 1t decreed that all of us
must nave u trial of some KIND. To some is sent
wealth to others power, talent, sickness pow
erty, as the case may be. The destinations OF the
worl4 are tempting, but If We only resist and are
faithful our reward VIII be so much the greater.
Tue world is The great enemy OF God and OF man,
and the Church IS the enemy OF the word. Is il
not glorious thing to feel and know that the
Church is rich in everything we need. She is by
the grace OF God all potent, IAN ever present hep
in trouble" She takes the little chld It's soul
tainted tna so, with oriyinai sin, in her bosom
OF baptism. Later on is administered the sacra-
ment OF confirmation. When more mature and
the soul Is capable OF greater glory then Is given
the precious sacrament OF the body and blood OF
Christ, than which even the Eternal Father him.
self mas nothing more precious to besLow. And IT.
after all these, man sbouid still ial for the battle
OF lie Is . severe conflict, relief can be found
III confession and absouuon. When death ap-
proache5 and eternity looms up In all its
VAST AND sHADOwY GRANDEUR
then comes the priest OF God to anoint with holy
Oil and whisper words OF peace and comfort to
the soul waiting TO be lerried across the rushing
river. And even when the body is laid in the
tomb the Church does not desert her charge.
Millions daily kneei before the altar OF God and
beg for mercy from the Most High for those souls
wao nave gone before. such, then, Is the true
mission OF the Church. She receives us as little
Children strengthens MS through life, and when
death comes provides US with a passport TO ever
lasting life ana glory Have we not o right, then,
TO devote our lives TO her ServlceY ONLY devils
nate her and those who love her. Let us glory
her ID our speecn ana actions. Let us make use
OF her help Let US cast ourselves on her and
trust her and then snail we be SAFE"
ST. MARKS CHURCH.