The New York herald., 1876-12-18
ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL.

THE DUTY or MAN TO THE cREAToR-sERMoN
by THE REV. FATHER HOGAN.
The services the Cathedral were very largely at
tended yesterday. The officiating clergyman at the
high the Rev. Father Kearncy. AT the con.
cusion OF the first gospel Rev. Father Hogan preached
tho Sermon taking his text from St. John l., xix
2S:-And he confessed and did not deny; and he con.
iesscd am no, the Christ" This was, he said, the
answer OF John the Baptist 10 the Jews inquring OF
him II he was the Messiah. In our time, when tho
learned OF the world in their intellectual researches
seek pierce the clouds OF heaven md venture into
tho mysterious caverns the that they might
move tho vci, which has concealed from rs knowledge
which an all-wse Providence did wish reveal to
our judgment, in this ago of inquiry and investiga-
tion how very few reflect what tEoy themselves
Tho greatest study for mankind was man. Far
better was u to appreciate the saying OF Nan' Know
thyscLo than TO be familiar with tho laws OF
nature to be master Oi every science. When tho
jews put to ST. John the question, "Who art thou r,
tho response which he gave them is applicable to all Of
us, 81 the voice OF crying In the wilderness" I"
Ho did say he Was tho precursor OF the Messiah
he did not say he was the herald OF the Lord he
merely proclaimed himself passing breath
Such is mana passing breath, worm wanderer on
the carh The royal prophet, inspired ny God styled
himself u wandcrer like his forelathers. Before God
he wandcrcr and a sojourner, and we could not
claim to be anything more. We ure but pilgrims
One by we passing through this lie pi ours
Whom we begin to live begin to de- Even tho
pagans OF old understood this when they compared
lite OF man to n traveicf--here tO-Quy auu gone
tomorrow. our creation rot necessary TO the
happiness of God that being already perfect. IL
was out OF the depths OF HIS love He called
us. by the power Of HIS word, into exist
cnce. He continued the work OF creation by
preserving us, ior wore He to abandon us moment
we would sink into insignncance. We have nothing
but what we receive from Him. Ho created u.s.
queny belong to Him. and lie is therefore our Sow
ercign Iord and Master and us such has right to de-
mand that our lives be spent in HIS interest. The
king has right the obedience Of his subjects; the
master had right the obedience OF hls servants;
and surely God, tho Supreme Mastcr, from whom we
receive all we possess, has right TO demand that tho
faculties with which we have been endowed be conse-
Grated Him. and exercised in His Cause and for His
honor and glory. His dominion must he universal.
sovereign absolute 1t rs irresistible 1t is not nec-
essary that be endowed with extraordinary facul
ties of mind and intellect necessary that VIC
have great wealth occupy exalted positions that we
have the respect OF fellow men. We were
created to know God and serve Him, and II we that
accomplish the end God had in view in giving
existence. and this is all our duty. In dong Gods
will consists our greatness, and II we strive to
please Him in this life He tells reward will
be great indeed We Gods creatures in land OF
pyrms-hcre for moment tending 10 distant
country, tho kingdom OF Heaven. where TO
enjoy the society OF Lord. In conclusion, the
ercnd gentleman urged the congregation TO bear in
mind the lesson which the gospel OF the day ncul-
Gated, .'What saycst thou Of thyseliy" What have
wo to cay Of oursclvcss Wo have received the bless
ings of God, We have received the light OF iah and
how have protitod by tho iavors wc have re-
cevedY Hc showed the necessity OF earnest prcpara-
tion, especially at this holy season.