National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-02-25
REMARKABLE EFFECTS OF A PULPIT ORATOR.
A Cool Dissection of Human Nature.
The Vice of MaIfce-It POIsOns Like
the Upas-Pride and Envy The
Value of Characteristic Mean
est DetractOr Charity
and il stice.

Three Of the Dominican Fathers from New
York, Revs. q. H. McKenns, II. F. Lilly and p.
A. Dinahan, are in the midst Of q most success
full mission at st. Matthew's church. From till
10 each morning the church is open Tor religious
instruction, and at 7:3O each evening one Of the
fathers named breaches q sermon. Last evening
the church was crowded, even to the occupancy Of
all the standing room, and while the great body
Of the congregation was composed Of Catholics
there were many present from other denomins-
tons and to state 1t squsrely out Of curiosity to
hear Father Dtnahan, for his fame as q pulpit
orator has penetrated every section OF the city,
and there is general desire to hear and see this
eloquent apostle OF the Catholic faith.
He is a young man, dark complexioned, black
hair and eyes, powerful in physique, and he has
a voice rich, full and sonorous, and his method as
and convincing, devoid Of 'tairy nothings," fancf
full rights, and all attempts to win applause He
is Straightforward, earnest and sincere, and with
a mind trained to severe logic and acute reason
ing he lays bare the imperfections OF human ma
tuTe in q way to make all hearers feel that they
preacher Of Courage, and While he would not in
dividually wound the feelings of any one he
seems to stand in the pulpit like a messenger Of
deliver 1t. In his white serge robe, black cape
and the insignia of his order he fairly reminds
one Of the descriptions giyeL Of some Of the elO-
quent fathers Of the Church who have COM
msnded the attention Of communities. His ser
mon last night embodied description
OF THE SIN OF DETRAcTIoN,
its nature, effects and enormity, and was accom-
panied by many sharp illustrations and merited
denunciatiOns He said the vice Of malice was more
prevalent now than in the past. The Pharisees
Of old were slaves TO 1t. In their jealousy they
endeavOred TO injure the character Of our Lord.
and aspersed the high motives which actuated him
in his divine mission. There is not a sphere or
state that does not suffer from it. Like the Upss
tree, the vice Of malice is deeprooted in our COM
mon humanity, and its branches shade all peo-
pie, blasting the hopes and destroying the pros
pects of all within the range of its damnabIe in
nuelce. IL DESTROYS the and nf
families and communities. Take the record Of
crimes committed in our day, and indirect inves-
lions prove that malice planted the venom which
led to their execution. Unravel the story OF all
THE CHILDREN OF MISERY
to-day and If their hearts are dead If their con-
hdence in God is destroyed, If they stand alOoF
in their unheppiness, you will find that they have
been forced into this morbid state of mind by the
tongue Of malice. Raise the veil from the sane
tuary Of the household once Joyous in love and
confidence, now theatre of pickering and strife
and dissipation, and you will see that this vile
enemy Of peace has been plying his nefarfous
work, kindling the fire Of Jealousy and devas-
Pride and envy are its bitter roots and they have
sturdy growth in our own nature Pride, blind
to our own faults, habitually considers
THE FEELINGS OF OTHERS,
and is disposed to condemn them, Envy and ieal-
ousy come in to do their work. They Turk in the
bosom Of all. We are no purer than the angels
who fell because they were Jealous of Gods
power, God rose in his majesty and hurled them
We can only tolerate equality and superiority
We are Jealous OF all beneath us, and enVious Of
all above us. As II was the case Of the angels so
It is Of man to-day. The idea holds good in all
things. You may stand high in the estimation Of
friends. Reports go forth from the detractor Of
manner IN which the monster comes into life d.
rect detraction is the taking away Of character
Calumny is the imputation upon an absent one OF
q crime or falling OF which he is not guilty. Ca
lumniators work behind their victims backs.
They are dark, aeep-dyed monsters. The venom
LOWER CLASS
Of detractors. They are friendly enough to a
friends face, but behind his back they allow blind
reports to pass which they know are not true.
They even add to them by sly wiIks fnnunedoes
and shrug2tngs of the shoulder. They are moral
assassins; they are actuated by the lowest I'm
pulses Of human nature. They are small little
men and women, scrupulous to fault, and yet
Will not resent an insult because invariably want
ing in courage. When they hear q friends char
scter essaled they careful not to utter a word
OF praise; they smile. They do more by their
mean, low acts than the open detractOr. They
are not worth despfsing. We would sin by 90
doing. Detrastion is grieVous crime.
DETRAcToBs ARE HATEFUL Tc GOD.
They will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
We were created for heaven. Think OF the gravity
is equal TO the first great crime. 1t is opposed to
charity. 1t is cardinal law to do unto others as
you would be done by. 1t is opposed to Justice.
There is q material and moral property The
most precious property is that of character The
detractor robs us Of 1t. He is most unjust. More
Is there anything more rare than making repara-
ton for the injury detractors do? II they die
without 1t they are excluded from heaven They
shSuId be denounced at ell times.