The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-26
ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL.

THE COMPANY WE KEEP AND HOW WE SHOULD
AcT--sERMoN BY THE REV. FATHER oNEnI.
There was fair congregation at St. Patrck's Cathe-
dral yesterday morning
The sermon was preached by the Rev Father ONein
ono OF the recently ordained priests He his text
from tho last gospel Of the third Sunday after
Pentccost--"Thls man roceivcth sinners and cateth
with them" We do not need, said the preacher, an
interpreter explain 10 the moaning OF those worda
when the Scribes Pharisccs them against
our Lord they had nothing to say, and
they intended to convey the idea that be.
cause Christ was in tho company Of sinners
lie was a sinner Himself But Il possible to be In
bad company without being contaminated by the
associations. Chemists have discovered substance
which, when II envclops the hand, protects from hurt
even when the midst OF flames and So also is there
protection from the soil OF sin even when we in
the midst of danger God has appointed the means by
which preserve ourselves unharmcd II we
adopt His commandment and follow the wise rules the
Church lays down for our guidance under every poss
bic necessity 1t not TO be understood that
encouraged TO form bad associations. but that must
selves in order to perform dnty, TO do what little
may by example or by precept, or TO avert by tho
absence OF acquiescencc sinful incentives or contcm
plated wrong. Not always by words argument by
irowns or open condemnation, Is the bad deed thus
acted tho evil motive frustrated Great should
the snulness Of our neishSor As rule we arc IN too
great a hurry TO condemn. There very few Of us
who have not some time or other In our own expert
ourselves by atrouting to tho head and
not to tho heart The recollection OF our weak
ought TO mako us judge lenicnty OF neghboE
Many people seem TO have mama 10 discover to
pronounce upon other peoples faults. God says,
sJudge not lest you be judged" Neither good COM
pany nor bad Is safe criterion by which you form
Judgment about others In the interest OF charity
VIC should pause before passing sentence upon our
ncishbor and procouncing him enemy OF the Al
mighty, especially God has reserved 10 Himself the
right OF passing judgment Hts creatures He alone
understands the hidden heart, and those who under
~~t~
meet with the reward that justly belongs 10 them.
swoo 10 you who are clean without and
foul Within But IL 10 necessary for us al
ways 10 be guard against The evil
He who keeps his eye open dangers has the best
chance to escape thcni. Tho only sure principle by
which guide ourselves Is 70 follow constantly in
the path oil virtue There Ia . light always shining
that VIII lead securely along tho to the end
only wish not to wander away from L. But while we
thus charitably view the associations around we
must fail to remember tho evil which may como
bad company, and especially when those tcner
age exposed TO the danger How many young
people have TO ascrbc their ruin 10 companions who
nrst nstilcd INTO their minds the poison that
ruptcd them. Fathers and mothers have grave
rcspons bilty In this regard and their part
be too great IN watching over their children and
guarding them against temptation The economy of
God in governing tho world has thrown tho bad and
good together and while every reasonable
means to allow virtue 10 appear IN beautiful and at
tractive FORM must be careful that hearts
get tarnisncd by effort In seeking to promote
the advancement OF others We always have az our
disposal Offering up OF prayers TO God In behalf Of
those who In tho hra OF SIM and 10 this we should
have recourse The blind cannot lead the blind. In
our own souls destroyed and rendered powcrcss for
GOOD.