The New York herald., 1874-11-30
ST. STEPHENS CHURCH.
The Rev. Father Carroll on the Incar-
nation.

The Rev. Father Carroll on the Incar-
nation.
Yesterday being the nrst Sunday OF Advent the
seven masses celebrated In st. Stephens were at
tended by large congregations. The last mass
was sung by the Rev. Father McCready. Meiner's
mass No. 8 was rendered by the CHOIR in pleasing
and creditable manner. In the afternoon the spa
cious church was thronged to It's fullest capacity
by fashionable audience. Asiohs vespers and
Traegers alma Redemptorisn we're given in good
style, while Nava's "Tantum Ergo' gave Mlle
Munler an admirable opportunity TO display her
cultivated voice. Immediately alter the first
gospel the Rev. Father Carroll ascended
the pulpit and delivered an instructive
discourse the mystery OF the incarnation.
Having announced that the ladies' fair In AID OF
the church would close on next Tuesday, he said -
We shall dwell Lhts morning the meaning OF the
following words OF st. John the Evangelist-"And
the word was made flesh and dwelt among u.s."
Thus briefly ana simply, does the beloved disciple
speak OF the mystery OF the incarnation. The
same inspired writer had seen in vision,
broke lorth In rapturous praises OF It's magnih-
cence; but when he came TO contemplate this
blending OF the divine and human natures the
hypostatical union. overwhelmed with its
grandeur, he used the plainest terms, as II fear
ing he should, In description, lail IN fitting rever-
ence.
The fact announced in such simple language by
ST. John Is mighty that 1t crusnes ana COM
plete,y prostrates the natural intelligence o1 man.
For, now can unregenercte reason comprehend
that the Lord OF immensely, OF all PURIFY attached
to Himself a nature that was finite, mat had out
raged His majesty 1t IL only TO those to whom
the divine mercy has cOndescenaed 10 communl-
cate the Illuminating ray oil faith that this mystery
appears Possibility and a Iact. Many are the
thoughts that arise from general view OF the in
carnatioD. 1t can pe considered as tne foundation
OF all science and its ultimate explanation, IL Is the
completeness OF all true philosophy. IL Is the
point OF arrival and departure to all history. Tue
destnies OF nations, as well as OF individuals
groups around IL. 1t Is
THE GRAND CENTRAL FACT
both OF life and immortality, outside ofwhlch mans
intellect wanders IN darkness and the light OF
divine faith falls not on his footsteps. Consider
tor q moment the cOndescension and owliness he
Son OF God displays in THIS mystery. But the JUS
tice OF God demanded an infinite atOnement Tor
SIN, and His love supplied 1t.
Like children standing In the presence OF the
vast, rolling ocean, we are awed with amaZement
as we strive TO contemplate tue nef1aole love that
Is revealed in this great act OF the divine power.
IL Is the thought OF this admirable mystery that
the Church places before US during this holy
season. The penltentlal preparation of Advent
WILL procure for US participation IN the blessings
OF the coming festival OF His birth. We will then
better understand what the f0liies or the world
are trying to maze us forget and which Christ has
come to teach us, that lie here below Is truly an
adyent-a waiting Tor His coming. We will be I'M
pressed that we merely vending our way,
through crosses ana troubles, to our real home be-
yond the grave.