The New York herald., 1874-09-07
The Returning Pastors and Iheir
Discourses Yesterday.
PROFIT AND LOSS OF RELIGION.
Plymouth Church EXhOrted to Duty by
Brother Halliday.
FORTY HOURS ADORATION.
ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL.

ST. PAThlUA'S UATdEUhAL.
Opening Sermon of the Fall Season by
the Very Rev. Vicar General Quinn,
on Death.
AT halfpast ten O'Clock mass yesterday the
Cathedral was well filed with the old occupants OF
Its pews the greater number OF whom have been
absent from the city during the past month. Pro-
fessor Gustavus Schmitz presided at the organ
with his usual skill. The mass was by Tuziani, in
G major, and the choir consisted OF the following
solo singers Mr.. Urths, Mr.. BersIn, Mrs. Giles
and Miss Beekman. The Rev. Father Kearney
acted as celebrant OF the mass-a missa can
tata"-and the Rev. Fathers Kane and McNamee,
with about twenty neatly attired AGO.
lytes, assisted in the sanctuary. At the ap-
propriate time the Very Rev. Vicar General
QUINN ascended the pulpit TO preach the first SER
mon since the beginning OF the hot weather. He
chose his text from st. Luke, VIII, 1lls, which re-
lates the miracle performed by Christ our Lord by
restoring life the of the desolate widow be-
lore the people Of Capernaum. The very reyer-
End preacher spoke as follows:-
The gospel which l have read, as prescribed
by the Church for this Sunday, presents TO our
minds one OF the most touching incidents con-
uected with the life and labors OF our blessed Lord
upon earth. This incident was nothing less re-
marKable nothing less striking, than the raising
Of the dead TO life Some time previously thou
and the deaf and DUMB and lame cured; but to
behold this wonderful miracle multitude
Of persons had come from Capernaum, where
they had seen Jesus perform miracles before.
This multitude had been moved by public report
TO the scene OF the miracle, and now not only they,
but also the multitude following the bier OF the
widows only son, became also witnesses OF this
wonderful mlracle-restoring lie TO the dead.
rney were first dlled with great fear and dread,
md naturally SO, considering that they were be-
o,,1,, nh fhnu hnd drny
witnessed before, but their fear was soon turned
INTO great joy|oy TO mothers heart Joy in
gratitude to God Tor permitting them to become
sttnesses OF so great miracle; JOY because God
human hesh, but as aprophet, had condescended
& Vs has Sor @ but one Subject m n
,artlc1ar-namely,
It's subject which unfortunately does not interest
hose too much engaged In worldly occupations
is subject, also, winch mas few attractive fea-
lures for those who give themselves up 10 the de-
i9nts and pleasures and enjoyments and 1rivoli-
les OF the word-a subject rom which they turn
lway in disgust lest 1t should disturb their peace
" mind, and one which the sinner contemplaLes
or a second only with dread and ALARM looking
,pon 1t not as the END OF life, but that which is
a introduce MIN to a lie OF eternal woe. Not
outstanding all this 1t Is subject well worthy of
,ur consideration. IL s not speculative subject,
,ut one which ntans in itself something OF real
interest ior US all; for all Things else are uncertain
Except DEATH "a and the an apostle tells aus u.s.
md after that the judgment" Oh how foolish,
hen to 5nas we can escape pf mat %hich
the policy OF true wisdom, and has been the
,oncy OF the saints not only to mediate upon
teath, but TO approach 1t, so that when 1t came
hey were not to be alarmed or taken unawares.
sut what Is deatnS 1t Is the end OF our existence
he gate by which we enter into eternity-the
boundary line which separates tue temporal from
he eternal; 1t ls that which causes US to part
rom our nearest and dearest-irom relatives and
riends; from the pleasures, riches and posses
hons OF earth, which men so anxlousy sacrifice
heir lives for; 1t is. in fine, that which compels
is to close our eyes for the last time upon the
hings OF earth to open them in eternity 1t IS also,
ay,d irrAU hfa Nnf btnh
luminous US before God Tor Judgment for our good
,r evil works, and punishment according to our
leserts This Is, indeed, death But there are
,ther aspects Of DEATH and the most impressive Is
hat by which our bodies are reduced TO viler
Soa 5s Of snSH Wors S! But it is its uncertainty that
makes death so horrible In the eyes OF mortals.
S6en sha d die Shall i be IN the summer or in
he winter, IN my house. on =, my couch or In q the
eIdY or shall have my ghostiy iatnea BY my SIDE
Iope OF all this l uncertain, but still
know must die." If faults are committed dur
ng lie they can be easily corrected and repaired.
Sut death cannot be rejected when IL comes. Its
.dvance is irresistible and its uncertainty certain.
rms one consideration alone should move us IRE.
Iuenty 70 think OF death. "Be not deceived, "
lays 81. Paul; God is not mocked; TOR whatsoever
man sows these things also shall he reap.'
me end OF our lives generally betokens how we
laye spent them deaihbed repentance is very
s's doa a1p on s the aS sinner Those '''0wSe wSe
on vaV aadg Zone SIN o to ase n Of Gay ae1
4 M the qs hour % Of death They nave no right TO ex
pect There Is one illustration in the scriptures
IS true but this the exception, not the rule
which says, LAS men live, so snail they de,n lo
1t last hour 1t Is not likely they can turn away
Iheir eyes from those idois which they adore(
aurng life. This thought will nave wonderlu
:fect In controlling the actions Of our lie
putting a restraint upon our passions
ana implanting humility in SOUS
which Is the foundation OF all grac
and virtue; Tor how can we be elated with prld
and boast Of our position and lamily. when by tn
consideration OF death we perceive that we sha
not be distinguished from the meanest OF the cart
on the last day? This consideration Will ais
strengthen IN our souls the virtues OF iaith, hop
and charity, ana help 70 reform our lives II W.
have hved IN SIN. The reverend preacher Hnall
exhorted the congregation to permit no day Il
pass until death without aiming at a more perfec
state, so that their last hours may be ike untt
those Of the saints
The Rev Father Farrely will lecture in tn,
Cathedral on sunday, the 9th inst, on ''Rome
Its Relics and Ruins.