The New York herald., 1876-11-13
ST. STEPHENS CHURCH.

CONTINUATION OF THE MIssIoN-FoRTx HOURS
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. By THE REV. FATHER
LILLY
At St. Stephens church, East Twenty eighth street.
yesterday morning. tho mission by the Dominican
Fathers attracted large numbers TO the service
Every available place in the spacious church was
filled. The service was very imposing. solemn
high mass was celebrated the pastor, Rev. Dr.
McGynn being celebrant, Rev. Father McCready,
dcacon Rev. DR.. Curran, subdeacon, and Rev. Father
Costgan master OF ceromonies within the sanctuary
we're several other clcrgymen. The high altar was
supcrbly decorated Flowers and lights profusely
arranged tho altar table and the slabs which form
tho background, and among the miniature marble
nace graceful ornamcntation was also prominently
noticeable.
Alter the first gospel the mission sermon OF the day
was preached by tho Rev. Father Lilly, OF the
eloquent preachers among the Catholic clergy Of
this CITY, His discourse the Eucharist and was
for the most part argumentative, The well know
texts upon which the Catholic Church has rested It's
In the verify OF the presence Of Christ under tho
appearance Of bread ana wine after the conservation
the sacrifice OF mass explained and all the
arguments adduced which that Church puts for
ward in support of Its teachinga Christ
said the preacher, spoke literally when He ut.
tered the words which give 10 His disciples His
body and blood under tho appearance of bread and
When there doubt expressed He showed them
that He had the power TO perform such miracle and
TO give to HIS SUCCESSORS earth the do the
The Jews believed that Christ spoke literally
and tho twelve chosen disciples believed, and the
belief has down TO to-day with force equal to
that which the disciples compelled receive tho
truth III the presence OF Christ himself Tho sermon
quite lengthy, and was listened 10 with marked
atten ton by tae large congregation.
Az the communion Of the mass tho ceremony attach
ing to the opening OF the forty hours' alteration was
commenced The priests chanted tho Litany of the
Saints, the blessed sacrament being exposed on the
high altar. procession then formed, and tho
Holy Eucharist borne around the church and back
to the nigh altar. The procession consisted of um-
bcr oil little Sunday school girls dressed in whto, who
strewed flowers along the asles advance and these
were preceded by the boys In cassock and sur.
plice. about twenty Of whom carried torches.
Immediately preceding these the priests IN cas-
sock and surplcc and then tho ceebrant OF the mass
either side OF him the deacon subdeacon ana I'M
mediatcy in front tho master OF ceremonies. The
ceebrant and his assistants walked beneath gorgeous
canopy, which was carried by eight gentlemen belong
ing so the congregation. Incense swung before
the Blessed Sacrament the procession slowly
around the aises Of the church, and the hymn
"Pdngc Lfngud'' was sung When the pro-
cession returned to the high altar tho sacrament
was placed Ia magnificent monstrancc and
placed the top OF the tabernacle where It will re-
main exposed Tor the alteration OF the faithful for
forty hours. On Tuesday another solemn high
mass Will be celebrated, with which this devotion Will
close. During the past week the mission py the Do
minican Fathers has attended great success
The church has been filled all thc services and de-
votonal exercises the Fathers conducting tho ms
sion express themselves as well satisfied with the result
OF their aburs so lar On next Sunday the mission
clusively for men will commence