The New York herald., 1876-11-20
ST. STEPHENS CHURCH.

THE ONE THING NKEDFUI-sERMoN By THE
REV. FATHER DALEY.
At ST. Stephens church yesterday morning the high
mass attended by large congregation, despite the
rain storm solemn high mass celebrated, the
mission by tho Dominican Fathers still continuing,
tho Rev. Dr. Curran being celebrant, Rev. Father
Byron deacon, and Rev. Father Coulter sub odcacon.
During past weeks the OF the mission
were chiefly for women, but for the next two weeks
the exhortations and other exercises will be for mon,
and the fathers will hear the confessions OF mon only.
The sermon yesterday was preached by the Rev.
Father Daley. who spoke Of ''the thing needfup
in this life, making his theme an eloquent invitation
10 all those who might have been remiss hitherto
attending to thor religious duties, to return to God
and TO prepare for the judgment which awaited them
in the next world. Tho real object OF lie, said the
preacher. was 10 serve God here below that might
enjoy HIM forever hereafter. IT. then, neglected
TO obey Gods andmcnts and abandoned ourselves
10 the things OF this world had failed TO perform
that God required Of ALI things In this
world should be made subseryient TO tho great
leading cnd-he enjoyment OF God Tor eternity ltwas
this that crested and endowed with all tho
faculties possess. God was Creator, and Hc held
our existence In His breath, being nothings,
possessed OF nothing but what led from Him
who created us There lcat the tree, hot
blade OF grass in tho field, not grain OF sand the
ocean that could DO there without Gods will Ii was
He who made the ea the blade OF grass ihc grain Of
sand. None else could have created anything To us
He had given evcryth thing, making the world obcdi
ent instrument in the carrying out OF His divine will
From ourselves have nothing II followed, then,
that every day OF our lives VIC should raiso
up our hearts Creator and thank Him Tor
having SO long preserved us In this ifc, so long
watched over with tender care and having afforded
us many chances be forgiven amor mad turned
backs upon Him and offended Him. With what
gratitude ought We to thank our Heavenly Father Tor
His inanitc bcne1cencc toward us How lowy
shuald become In our own estimation when
mcmbcred that such poor dependent creatures
are have the presumption to raise our voice and
strength against HIS omnpotcnt goodness and
Insult Him! What was there that lie had not done
Tor usg The lie OF our blessed Rcdcemcr
infinite God to man. There was not bus
Jesus knew, and all this TO secure for his rcdc,np
ton; yet the commandments which Tho Saviour
brought from hcavcn Tor our guidance wcrc spurned
and contcmned by u.s. We give ourselves all to the
world insteud OF to God. Ambition Was grxtifed
al tho expense Of fatigue and strenuous
labor; We pursued wealth position or iano
with never ccasing avidty. But when II
TO the labor to our immortal souls TO preserve
them unsullicd the reward God intended for thom
then altercd, retreatcd and deferred the struggle
always promising but never fulfilling How weak
this conduct, ami how really senscless was the man
who riskcd immortal glory, eternal JOY, for the fcw
fleeing pleasures OF this world few hours sick
would rcndor useless and even painful 10
TEN plato the hardest won worldly honors; and yct
men went on srccdy seeking Tor tho things
OF this world and unblushingy prcsrming upon
Gods goodness for unccasing mercy. God
was infinitely good doubt; but lie also infinitely
Just and which OF could tell when tho measure or
our SINS ilied, and that moro chances TO bc-
come reconccd would be offered us our hearts
might have grown so hard in worldly pursuits as
not to be longer troubled whom Gods merciful
warning should bo gvon to us.
Tho preacher then went on to say that 10 those to
whom God accorded the privilege OF attending this
mission tncrc great mercy shown and ono which
should received as special grace IRON heaven Hc
then cxhorcd the malc portion OF the congregation to
approach tho sacramenis during tho ensuing two
weeks.