The New York herald., 1876-02-28
ST. STEPHENS CHURCH.
SERMON BY THE REV. DR. MGLYNN-THE
LENTEN SEASON.

LENTEN SEASON.
At this church yesterday large congregation was
in attendance. The affairs had antependums OF pur-
pie color AS usual the singing by the choir was ex-
celent the solos being rendered with spirit and icel
ing Rossi's mass in minor was the selection Inn
mediately before the sermon Beni's "Veni CREATOR
was given. At the oGertory ono of Danforth's COM
positions pleasant sequence after the solemn
warnings of the sermon. In the afternoon the SER
vice OF the vespers was Mercadantes, with save
Regina" by Cerrati and ''Tantum Ergo by AssiolL
The mass was celebrated by the Rev. DR.. curran, the
sermon being preached by the PASTOR Rev. Dr.
McGlynn. The preacher delivered a most instructive
discourse on the observance OF Lent, exhortng his
parshoners TO avail themselves Of this time not only
TO approach the sacraments within the period pre-
scribed, but, in accordance with the spirit
OF the penitental season, TO deny themselves
many ordinary pleasures and above all not TO indulge
In ntemperance OF any sort Alter explaining the pas
toral letter OF the Cardinal and giving expression TO
some thoughts on the Lenten season, he showc1 how
necessary that should cooperate with Gods
will in our own regard how essential II was That we on
part should prove by good works our desire 10 save
our souls and to do all 10 our power 70 carry out me
plan OF our salvation which had dictated to US by
Christ Himself IL was idle for 10 so on believing
and hoping in eternal reward while we not only were
at with God, but knew that We we're sinners con-
nuing 10 live in sin, neither resolved upon penanee
Gods law, that as q consequence should follow. We
needed 10 please God by faith with good works,
and this season was preparatory TO
the great 4 festival OF the year when
the SON OF God was honored the triumphant
victim for mans salvation, when faith IN Him could
scarcely have been avoided the teachings He left us
should now be put in practice and the good works
lncucaed by HIM be performed IN order that we
cooperate with His mission for our redemption.
sELF-DENIAL-
Scfdenal was imposed by the Church at this season
that might penancc ms well as recall US TO
a contamination of subjects which concern immed-
atcly our immortal souls Especially would he (the
preacher) recommend utter abstinence during Lent
from intoxicating drink which the ruin Or so
many; which was cause leading 10 most heinous
crimes and which transmitted in its pernicous Ell
fects IRON parent child, its baneiulncss being most
deporable IN all its forms. Who could tell how
much was lost that might be gained; how
great the desolaton that existed how wide
spread the anguish and the mseres were on account
OF this vice As in past years, he now invited
:hc congregation to take the pledge against all ntoxt
eating liquors lie had reason to believe that large
number OF his parshoners had in former years fol-
lowed his advice In this regard with great advantage to
themselves aud he hoped this year for similar result
In concluding the preacher addressed some touching
words to the congregation as TO- his own responsible
ties as pastor OF their souls and tho obligations he
incurred before God by great burden; but he
trusted that their sakes we'll for his the
people OF his parish would render this great buruen
lighter by taking themselves the Church's invitation
TO approach the sacraments during this season, and
that when those who wandering away were
again received into the Shepherds they would
main within the fold TO the end