The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-19
ST. STEPHENS CHURCH.

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THE REV. FATHER M'cAULEY.
AT st. stephens church yesterday morning the
high mass celebrated by the Rev. Father Costigan
and tho sermon preached by the Rev. Father Nc
Cauley. The preacher took his text from the gospel
OF the day, which treated OF the fast and the tcmpta
lions Of Christ in the DESERT Ho gave explanation
the SOURCES Of temptation and thor influence upon
tho spiritual life. He dsting ushed between tho two
classes OF tcmptations-those from without and those
from within. To tho latter he referred by saying
that Christ not subject 10 temptations arising
from any conflict between the inferior and superior
natures In the SOUL because His human nature was in
perfect subsection HIS divine. With regard TO the
other class Of temptations, Christ equally en-
lowed with Immunity from them. He was us
little affected by temptations Of this class as
Incapable OF SHINING as He was, He was
susceptible Of being moved by sinful Influences. ~
the apostle expressed "being In all things like unto
u.s. sin excepted" He, however. permitted Himself to
be tempted Tor instruction, IN order that we might
learn by HIS example how 70 prepare ourselves ior
temptation how TO cruelty flesh and how to ovor.
come the enemy oil our salvation. AS gold was tried
by the furnace was tho just man tried by tempta-
tlon
Temptation meant tho proving. the trying OF mans
ndenty-as for example, IN the case Of Abraham, when
commanded by tho Lord to sacrifice his only son,
Isaac; Of the good aud pous man Tobias; OF Job,
who severely tested in tho crucibe Of suffer-
sense temptation was understood 10 mean an
enticcment and aurEg to sin; tho placing
before the mind Of the atractiveness Of object
c0mplacency IN which was q violation OF the law OF
God All the temptations Of life were used by God Tor
two purposes First, 70 try US and TO increase our
merit and therefore reward second. 10 sanctify
the soul out OF the very temptations themselves.
When we resisted made deliberate choice between
God and tho temptation Every single act OF resisting
temptation obtained merit aud reward in the sight OF
God, and they who were most tempted obtained the
most mort II they faithfully resisted Until man
triod he did not know HIMSELF Tor temptations and
trials made him understand his own nature, and,
Ing his own weakness aud dependence upon God, he
became humber and therefore hoer every DAY.
God made OF temptations 10 chastise US aud
10 awaken IN our hearts hatred OF Sin. The
ways OF God were mysterious IN His dealing with His
people. No doubt there many SOUS high in
heaven to-day who would not be there but for tho
temptations tho Lord In His mercy sent them. Our
Father In heaven twill not permit US to be tempted
beyond that winch we Gun bear, but will make with
The temptation issue that may not be overcome
The preacher then went on to show that the three
temptations OF our Lord related in the gospel of the
day. embraced tho various classes OF temptations 10
James-th0se OF the esh OF the eyes and the pride of
lie In battling against tho aurements of the temp.
ter said the preacher We must have the same
that Lord employed in overcoming and rcpelling
tho enemy OF our salvation. II the flesh rebeed
against the spirit then We should cry out with our
Lord, mot by bread alone doth man live
mouth OF God" II we should be tempted by pride
presumption In Gods mercy let remember the
OF Christ, 'Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy
God" Finally, five felt ourselves influenced by the
poinp ana vanity OF the world, by its absorbing de-
mands our best thoughts anu aspirations, let US
fortiiy ourselves with the divine counsel, 'rho Lord
thy God shalt thou adore and Him only shalt thou
servc.'
In tho evening" at half-past seven O'clock the
Lentcn sermon preached by the Rev. Father
McCready, who discoursed "Ihc Causes OF the
Saviour's Suiierings" Tho congregations that attend
these extra Lentcn services arc unusually large
this and include pooplo from all sections Of the
CITY.