The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-10

the promise OF = new ana better substitute they
sought TO make men believe IN what they termed the
doctrine Of common sense, which means nothing more
than that every belief which does conform 20 the
tests OF sense should be rejected. Mr. rockingham
remarked that common sense was not
many supposed and consequently much difference Of
opinion obtained concerning the tests These gentle
men OF the last century reasoned somewhat after this
pan-One Is not three and three rs not one therefore
the doctrine Of trinity is false God man is a contra
dicon OF terms; therefore Christ could not be God and
man
A DEFINITION
Az this point Mr. rockingham began explanation
OF what was meant by the word inndel The word, he
sara had been Variously and contradctory used AT the
beginning OF our era II applied TO the Christians;
IN the Middle Ages IL used against the Jews, and
then against the Pilgrims of New England From this
VIII be seen that many good people have been stg
matized with the name. For his part, Mr. Froth-
lngham said, he admired an nndel for to be one re-
quired much moral courage 1t was asserting con-
Wction against mighty odds Though not prepared by
any means TO accept all the enets laid down by the
eighteenth century, he still could not fail TO believe
that they had done humanity great benefit; they
spoke frankly when to speak the truth to be read
out of society and deprived OF preermenL In this
gard they had left conspicuous example of moral
courage worthy OF emulation
In Conclusion Mr. rockingham spoke in hopeful
terms Of the religious possibilities of the nhdeliiy Of
to-day. Religion, he said, eternal but creeds full
filed ends with the accomplishment OF which they
ceased 10 be OF avail
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER'S CHURCH
II always pleasure to attend the services al the
Roman Catholic Church of ST. Francis Xavier In Six
teenth street The congregation is Of the most
arstocratic and refined in the city; the music under
the leadership of Professor Berge intellectual feast
and the preaching usually of the eloquent ana
logical order.
The high mass at half past ten O'Clock yesterday
morning celebrated by the Rev. Father Frederick
and the sermon preached by the Rev Father H. Gack
meyer, Of the Society of Jesus After the usual an
nouucements from the pulpit Father Glackmeyer read
the gospel of the day-St Luke second chapter, from
the forty second verse.
The reverend preacher opened his discourse by say
ing that Il almost pity 10 leave the CRIB OF Bethle-
hem, where many prayers had been poured iorth
and consultations derived but we must follow Christ on
HIS saving mission. The lesson impaired In the gospel
read is very important II embraces the end Of
the whole mission OF Christ this earth The first
time Jesus Is missing from this house He is found
by his sorrowing mother in the temple There He is
busy, all absorbed in the affairs OF his heavenly
Father. There He was instructing mankind that the
all important duty OF life TO look after his eternal
ture which God had placed the earthhs chief duty
thai happiness which God had in for
him. Beside the almost infinite number of favors and
gr2ces which he has received from above obige him
sort remain close his heavenly Father. If
any reason should urge man TO initiate the divine
ample 1t would be to that real happiness which
he here earth and cannot find Near
his God he will begin enjoy that peace and blessed
which shall be his forever II faithful the
mands OF his heavenly Father.
The sermon listened to throughout with pro-
found attention. and the congregation appreciated the
words of wisdom which fell from the good fathers lips
all the from the fact that he seldom has oppor
tunity preach in the city his duty missionary
taking him away during NEST of the year.