The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-11
ST. STEPHENS CHURCH.

THE EEDEEMER Al THE GOOD PASTOR SEEKING
FOR THE LOST sHEEP-sERMoN By THE REV.
DE-. cURRAN.
AT ST. Stephens Church yesterday morning the high
celebrated by the Rev. Father Byron and tho
sermon preached by tho Rev. Dr. Curran Tho preacher
took his text from the Gospel OF the day-Luke, xv
1l0 The Pharsees, he said murmured against Christ
because He received sinners and eat with Ihcm and
Christ replied TO them by saying Ill any OF you had
hundred sheep and lost one Of them, would he not
the ninety in the desert go In search OF
the lost sheepY Would he not continue his search
until he found II. aud having found IT, would he
carry IL his shoulders and rejoicing say trends
and neghbors Rejoice with me, because have found
my sheep that l3st'" Finally He said IL say TO
you, there shall be JOY in heaven upon that
doth pcnanco more than upon ninetyn mine just that
need not pcnance" Then have an illustration OF
mercy Of God calling 10 repentance and
receiving them when they return. Notwithstanding
the refusal OF sinners 10 come to God He does not
to continue to call them by exterior inspira-
tions remorses OF conscience ind terrors Of chAstse
ments. God speaks 10 inviting US to make peace
with Him. 1t Is not He that acts IKE an enemy, but
Those refuse 10 be reconced Him. Con lessons
aud preachers are HIS ambassadors, exhortng the
erring 10 penancc anu the mis0runes OF life
10 lead 10 recall US to recollection oil the real
end Of hfc. But instead Of receiving Gods warnings
with the proper spirit and prontDg Ny them Tor our
souls advantage wc let them pass away without any
heed preicfring 10 contnuc IN and the danger VI
beng externally lost. The Gospel tells US now anx
lousy the Reueerner seeks alter those unfortunate
souls that thus wander away from tue fold aud OF til
Joy IN heaven when they return. the sinner banishes
Tod from Kim every time he sins, but instead vi God
punisnng these insults TO HIS majesty He entrcats
tic poor wanderer 10 return and PROMISES him mercy
and forgiveness. Tho Lord coulu have cnastsed for
every offence committed, but instead OF TINS He pa
tienty waits were, hoping that the love Hcs
santiy showing the rebeious soul may soften u into
an understanding ol ITS own fuol,shness and guilt
fhe LORD watcneih that he may have mercy on you"
lie watches that lie may pardon and save
cons GREAT MERCY.
81. Augustine goes to lay that tho Lord, II
He were not God should be unjust on account Of Has
excessive patience toward sinners BY waiting Tor
those VINO abuse HIS patience TO multiply their sins
God appears 70 do injustice TO the divine honor.
We ana God appear to be, ~ ~ were, engaged In
tcst IN winch we LABOR to provoke HIM 10 cuastise
gum and He invites Ills to paruon. But u in the end
not saved then the greatest torments we sha |
suffer In hell will be the great mcrces which God
not reject any one WHO returns TO Hm-"Hm that
cometn to me WIN not cast QUIZ With what tender
ness does tie Redeemcr embrace SINNER VINO returns
TO Hinl lie declares Himself that lie tho good pas.
VINO, lie hnds tic lost snccp, embraces
II and places Il on His own shoulders. This tender
also appears in the parable OF the proagal son.
winch Christ tells us that lie Is the good iatner,
who on bis sons return runs TO him and failing
his neck kisses him. God declares that
when sinners repent lie will forget tLoir sins. He
cannot despisc an humble aud contruc heart. The
preacher vent on TO speak " the precious blood OF
Christ as flowing or the OF ut the efficacy
OF the kea.emers sullerngs IN saving snnera While
the life oi Christ WIS offered Up tor men and u HIs
sorrows were borne TO The emu thai We might be
saved VIC should remember tnat His teachings should
not be lUrgvtien; ana heretp We hud the law laid
dowD which, NO are 10 ioow-ihe institution OF sacra-
ments when necessary US II we to continue
IN HIS lricbdshp aud be rcconccd 70 Hun alter wo
have lallen away. lie has placed abundant means
disposal by winch We may respond 20 HIS iDvta-
tons 10 return 10 HIM; and II we do hearRen 70
HIS voice, ~ We hear speaking 10 US Ia 50 mupy Ill.