New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-26
THE LESSON OF BETHLEHEM.
me ReU. FafAsr McKlnnon, at me Cdthedral


A pontifcal mass was celebrated by Cardinal
McClosk~y yesterday the cathedral IN Fh-aye. The
high altar was decorated with eight large bouquets aud
in front OF the reredos each side golden candle
labra crib exposed 10 view front OF OF the
sido affairs aud by IL figures representing Mary
aud Joseph aud angels. The church was crowd'd.
many persons being compelled To stand IN the ases.
Fathers Mcmahon and McQurk deacons OF
honors, and assisted the Cardinal There were
also eight little boys who acted pages and waited
on the Cardinal. When the flushed the
Cardinal bestowed the Papal benedcton the cOngre
CATION
At the end Of the Gospel Father McKinnon. a Jesuit
from Fordham College, preached. He took his tex,
from ST. Lake H. Is: And It to pass, after tho
angels departed from them heaven, the shepherds
said 10 another Let go over % Bethlehem, and
let us word that has to pass which the
Lord hath showed u.s." lie spoke substantially M
follows;
In compliance with this simple and urgent request
which the Church OF God addresses to-day 20 her chill
dren let go in spirit 10 Bethlehem. We must
first prepare our minds for the 10 Wit
chcrc by dsabnsng them OF previous notions OF
this mystery, for these simply conclusions OF
human wisdom. while here divine fact-ihe
most stupendOus event that has ever been
recorded in the history Of the world. We
VIII hnl there a child. o. all appearances or lin
ary cnild wrapped in swadding clothes manger in
common stable. Let Us be ashamed 20 enIrr that
stable hallowel ty the presence OF Jcsvs, Mary and
Jos H. The chd is the Of God the Lord and abso-
master OF all things. lie came unto His own and
His own received Him Let try TO real tho
causes Of this wonderful manifestation OF the word
made flesh.
We have 10 remember that during the preceding 1000
years the condition OF mankind was one OF sin, misery
and degradation. From the day Adam brought death
into the world the whole human race had forgotten
ia duties 10 God Virtue ceased to have It's
,HTV ffnug and Vlrp W "A
mans fail that he placed idols the altar Of the
living God ana ipped tue work. OF HIS hand.
Man was n, able TO ask Tor RELIEF He was even unable
desire his recovery. WAT was to become OF the
human in this deplorabe condition IL required
suoh interference part OF God Himself would
save man. Consequently the second person of the
order that lie might suffer IN our stead
Bethlehem. II we nave any hopes. as We certainly
have. OF seeing God face TO face II We have any
hopes Of living FOR MI eternity In HIS vision,
them a. The merits and mercy o the infant No Betbe-
nem. Our Lord only considered his task partially fu
filed by delivering Us from The consequences Of The fist
sin He well knew The perveFsty OF the human heart
He knew that When we atran"d the use Of reason we
~ I ' again., oar Now we are Se 10
fulfil all the conmandmens OF God which We could not
tools act without the grace 81 Col This grace We b
tanned by Gods saerlhce; We do not sum-
eyi baS,f hoceyer " dae,ly roo,ed tS; u" ~
cannot he eIadicated. No matter how deep In I'm Ws
are, Gods wash MS clean. All have share in
IT, There IS no place or time when grace cannot work
Besides superabuudauce Of helm from above eur
salvation wanted one thug more-a model and guide
10 show what Ought 10 seek and what TO avoid.
We hnd this guide In the Goldman. There
three evils which beset the human 10 which
other msfOriuncs all attributable. Trey
honor wealth and selfinduigence He calls us around
the crib TO-DAY and seems say, see how low have
had TO sfoop in order e. reach your level have been
forced 10 be born in a stable You proud OF your
knowledge /. wisdom itself, have been forced 10 be-
born in stable for YOU You are proud Of honor
and gory-,ee what bumui8On | have suffered
for YOU Poverty ;he si-n by which the shepherds
told 10 find the child. There must be- charm IN poverty
which the world cannot Self-in ulg fatal
wee which holds captive Great many sous He teaches
a lesson Dy his silent suierings IN the body.
THO utter ind n renee win which the world received
Hm.Wa- a great suffering. While we are thinking on
these virtues, let ne remind sou OF the cuy 10
those whose condition in life resembles His closely
the Orphans There are 100 Of them who appeal TO
generosity to-day. We thus perform portion
the duties He asks ofucOnstant, practical love- We
cannot he asray IN following ann. because we follow an
infslllble guide. He our love- lie drew forth
from nothing by His power We cannot give Him power
for power He gave all We have by His wisdom. but
too GRANT 10 render wisdom for wisdom. But
give Him love for love by following ia His foot
afsn