The New York herald., 1876-10-23
ST. STEPHENS CATHOLIC CHURCH.
THE VALUE OF PRAyx1-sERMoN By TEE REV.

THE VALUE OF PRAYxx-sERMoH By TEE REV.
yATBYR COTTON.
ST. Stephens Roman Catholic church was crowded
yesterday with large and fashionable congregation.
The sermon delivered BY the Row. Father Cotton.
who took Tor his text that portion OF tho Scriptures
which tells OF she healing OF the sick daughter OF
Jairus
The reverend gentleman said that in this gospel We
had An illustration Of the goodness, mercy ane om-
impotence OF God He had been mans friend from the
bcginning, and He would remain to the end. ever
Exercising Hts bounty his behalf The life OF
Lord had spent in good deeds done
for man; He had made the blind to see the deaf TO
hear the lame 70 walk, and even the very dead 70
come 10 life again. Yet mono OF the blessings had
been performed out ~ tho instigatoA Of Mary 40 in
tho related the gospel OF the day. Nary thcn,
being SO powerful . mediator, why should mon net
address themselves oftsner than they do in prayer
God through herr II was either because they knew
not the power OF prayer or, knowing IL neglected 70
mako Oft 1t would bs weil then, he thought, to
give the subject OF prayer some confederation, as
he proposed to do IN the sermon. Prayer was, he
said, an
ELEVATION THE SOUL TO GOD,
whereby brought into eonnunion with our
Creator II the language Of the faithful 70 God
II certain sign Of salvation for ho who vas In
the enjoyment OF Gods friendship through prayer
earth would certainly enjoy His friendship in the Ifo
70 come Prayer oe,ained Tor the soul AL ne xsaces
body what gave II protection aud strength. II
argument against its efficacy that our prayers were
bersd that God was all wise A. we'll all good Ho
often deferred the giving Of what was asked at the
II il was mot given as All IL was because Hs knew that
what asked for Was not for good. Our prayers
often lacked ne me- Deesss.ry conditions las. an and 70
ing but and, II not answered At snee ccasng
ask again wo should keep asking If any one
consu(t the Scriptures What do they say 'Ask
and ys shall receive" And again, Pray always"
man 70 pray aiwayG" These were
cons own WORDS
but the example OF God the Son when on earth illus.
rated thsr Iorce He prayed often though He needed
mot 70 pray. simple exercise OF His will would have
been enough for al HIS requirements. II evident
He prayed thas We might have example to fol-
Low. The apostles were strong advocates OF prayer;
81 Paul sad 70 ..pray in the name OF the Lord ST.
James 70 pray fer another for the prayer Of the
inst man prevaiieth with the Lord" The Church
which knew our necessities 20 we'll commended US to
holding converse with God hnssif ). prayer v. were
letting Him know our wansa This required NO great
effort OF strength part; no great oppsr,sn,sy
was uoeded no specified time % call IL out All that
disposi.isn f.i.h and perseverance. HumiIisy Was
also necessary; for We were told BY God that He
A T We: IS
Deu .eA.u - yes - 'vcs :" NV "Sso
veto pray forY First. for what would conduee TO
spiritual good next tho nscssstiss Of liis-for any
temporal blessing long nos with
With spiritual welfare Prayers Tor useless things
we're never heard. For whom should we pray? For
ourselves the hrst place TO obtain own sal
walton q duty owed TO ourselves before work
ing for that OF othsra This done we could BY word
and example sndeavor 70 save the souls OF our friends
asd Of those who needed 70 be helped
Tho reverend gentleman c.oscd with ~ earnest
oxhortatcn his hsxrers 70 take advantage OF lhs
opportunity God afforded to us ALL through prayer, to
OBTAIN me precious blessings which souls stood
need Of As God had given rs The assurance that
asked him IN true spirit for anything that
nssdfui TO him He would grant IT, the indeed
would be iooiish man who would refuse 70 ask that
his needs might be supplied.
The prsee Of the HxaALD today aud Aescetbv will Be
Gycs eeaks.