The New York herald., 1876-08-14
ST. STEPHENS CHURCH.
THE PUBLICAN AND THE PHARIsEE-ExHORTA

THE PUBLICAN AND THE PHARIsEE-ExHoRrA-
TIoN BY THE REV. FATHER MCAULEY.
At this church yesterday morning tho Rev. Father
McCauley briefly commented the Gospel Of the SUM-
day. which was taken from ST. Luke xviii. OLA. Ho
said that the publican and the Pharsoe two oppo-
site characters being flied with tho spirit of prde
exclusvcness peculiar his Sect and the other an
from the religious society that surrounded him.
Our Lord, the great excnplur, tho meek and lowly
teacher, gave 10 this parable lesson Of numil-
ity, Of difdencs in ourselves especially when
entered on the holy work OF prayer Pride in =
certain a robbery from God Of what duo
TO Hm, appropratng ones self the and glory
which belonged to that God who has said, Without
you can do nothing" Humility the foundation OF all
the virtues 1t the distinguishing feature OF our
Lords career, and was strongly cxempllfed IN The
lives OF the saints OF Gods Church IN all ages We
might perhaps, think that WAS difficult to lind
who would boldly stand up and give expression his
of wOrthIness before God by exchimng, 40
God thank thee that am not as tho OF mon"
Yet there feelings Of the heart of like base
ture which many might not have the hardhood to
give expression to in words. We all loved the virtue
of humility as It was manifested IN the hc Of Christ
ana t in tho trials and labors Of
the holy men and women who devoted them.
selves all the ages to the service OF God: admired
1t in every who possessed ; but did make any
efforts ourselves to practise It, IT, DO 'docrs OF the
word ana not bearers ot II oniy' We should be
careful TO endeavor to cultivate this v'rtuo 10 Keep
before minds our utter dependence God and our
uRworthiness. We should always DO humble, aud
especially in proportion TO the dignity OF tho affairs
to which wo give our attention When We approached
the work OF prayer 1t should DO with hearts bowed
down before sod, Tor God resiseth the proud and
gveth grace to tnc humble" " Tho short but fervent
prayer of the publican was, 20 God be meciful ~
q sinner" We might well initiate tho publican
and go to that gracious God with the
confidence and contrition and the rcad-
and chastse offences
Our ingratitudc should be before minds always,
with N decp-olt consciousness OF crimes and OF
the infinite goodness ol God The Pharisee wholly
occupied with his own imaginary merits and never
thought OF pcon,ng God to grant the pardon OF his
tor perseverance, IN virtue. lie believed him.
self sed cminencc OF virtue above which
bc need seek 10 ascend from which he in
danger OF falling His pride blinded him to his
miserics and wants, aud rendered him inscnsibe OF
danger, realizing the declaration Of. the inspired
writer, "lIe tLat holdeth pride shall be filed with
mailed ictions, and II shall him the end" How
different the humble publican! His prayer asccnded
from humble heart. standing aiar of, no would
not much as lit his eyes toward heaven, but he
struck his breast saving, Oh God be mcrciiul to
a sinner" We were all debtors to the Divino justice
and should turn wish the publican 20 that asylum
OF mercy which would receive us. Pride shrunk IRON
tho Illuminating acknowledgment OF our weakness.
humility disclosed She hidden wounds In all their dc.
iormity