National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-10
A PRELATE'S TALK.
ARCHBISHOP GIBBONS SERMON.
The Event at st. Dominic's Church Yesterday Morn
ing-A Grand Service Of Music by the Choir
and Most Eloquent Address from
Baltimore's Noted Prelate.

Notwithstanding the driving rain and sleet St
Dominic's Church was largely attended at eleven
o'clock yesterday, to hear the sermon of his Grace
Archbishop Gibbons, of Baltimore.
| The mass selected for the occasion was Hayden's
| third Rev. Father J. " Edeline ceebrant, Father
| w. ii. Morgan, deacon and Father F. Spencer, SUD-
| deacon, and was rendered by choir of thirty
voices, with full orchestral accompaniment OF
twenty-eight pieces under the leadership of Mr. S.
J. Rubel. The quartettes were supported by Miss
Blanche Robinson Miss Mae Rogers, and Miss Josie
Fesan, SOPRANO Mrs Newton, Mrs Ryan, and Miss
Miller, alti; Messrs. King, Yeatman, and Daniel,
| tenori; and Messrs. Keochling, HickOx, Ieatman,
| Riley and Mawdsley, basSi. The solos were all
exquisitey rendered, the most noticeable, perhaps,
being Hunmels Alma Virgo" sung by Mrs
| Cecilia Young Smith
The sermon of the arch bishop was based upon
the thoughts suggested by the first chapter OF the
lniIlity of God, and said Before this earth had
received form or had assumed its present shape,
when all was chaos and darkness Gods light and
spirit moved over the face of the waters, and His
power shaped the future habitation of man. Con-
template man and mark what a strange contrast Is
presented. What marvellous combinations OF cor
ruption and interruption, ignOminy and glory, and
weakness and strength are presented. The most
marked feature of his existence is his constant
struggle and desire for perfect happiness. All
have this desire, and none can control it. 1t forms
the central point of their very being is the main
81 ring OF all our good actions and keeps IN mar
over.
Take the various sources of mans happiness,
look at them one by one, and we will discover
they are not capable of making us happy. Can
wealth riches satisfy us? No; their ineffi-
cacy has been fully demonstrated. The riches
of CrCesus, Aston or Vanderbilt would not suffice
to bring us perfect happiness, for we would still
want something more. HonOrs and dgnities Will
not do it, for, though man sit upon the throne of
the greatest earthly principalty he still longs like
Alexander for other conquests. Then too, digni-
ties and honors always bring sense of response
bility, and the more brilliant the crown the more
heavily does it press upon the brow of him who
wears it. Can social pleasures do it? Those who
have INDUCED i'll them the most deeply tell us that
safety quickly duls the edge of desire, and with
qualification comes again the longing for better
and more perfect degree of happiness. Another
source from which this happiness is sought is
lasting, perhaps, than any earthly sensual gratif
cation, in that it is nearer the type of Gods love
for His children
But, my brethren, the. greatest source of sman's
happiness has always been in the pursuit and prac
ticc of virtue. There is solid tranquility of mind
serene JOY of soul that dwells with him who thus
lives that can never be derived from riches, digni
ties sensual joys, the fleeing passions of hui
man love. Besides, he who walks i'll this pathway
is sustained by the hope of future reward which
God has given his promise to pay. Resting upon
this hope ana this promise, there comes to man
that perfect happiness which can nowhere else be
found. Reflect, brethren, this day upon this
promise and this perfect peace, and when tempta-
lions aSsil YOU or the waves of adversely and sut
trrlng roll over you, Gods assurance will sustain
and comfort you, and at the end of lifes struggles
and trials you can say with the Apostle: "All
these shall work for us far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory"