The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-01-12
MISSION OF THE JESUITS.
INAUGURATION OF THEIR WORK
AT ST PAfhICK's CHURCH. o

Father McKiniry's Opsning Sermon
on "Penance"-A Necessary step to
Eternal salvation-Too Little Atten-
ton Paid to God and Too Much to
Worldly Authorization Powers Ser
mon on THE End OF Man"
The mission Of the Jesuits at st. Patrick's
church opened yesterday morning at 1870
O'Clock under the most favorabls auspices.
The church was crowded, every seat being
occupied and many people standing.
Father McKiAir y, who Is an eloquent
preacher, opened the exercises with a pow
erful sermon on "Penance." He wen. into
his subject at once. without any Introductory
remarks, and for three-quarters of an
hour hell the closest attention Of the
congregation. "Ws are all sinners" said
the preacher. land he who dares assert that
he is not sinner, according t. st. Paul, is
liar A sinner, to save his soul, must do
penance, and those who fail to do penance
in conformity with the laws OF God, will be
lost" Father McKiniry then detailed how
God had sent down his wrath on sinners 10
the early ages for falling to do penance and
ask forgiveness for their offences. He said
that they had beel warned time and
again that fearful retributon would he
meted out to them unless they repented and
asked forgiveness, and at last, when his
patience was exhausted, ne had or
dered the hoodgates Of heaven to
be let loose, aad washed them off the
face Of the earth.
PENANCE NECESSARY TO SALVATION.
Father McKlniry said that God is both
mercitul and just, but he who failed to do
penance can never gain salvation. Look
at the penances imposed under the old
| sail hn n.sx
read OF where persons were compelled to
undergo punishments for seven, four
teen and twenty-one years before
they sufficiently atoned for their
crimes against God. Many people
lead sinful lives while young, and say that
when they become old they will be better
christians and try and walk in the paths Of
righteousness. They give up their best days
to Satan, and when at last they have satIs-
fed their passions they 20 to their God with
the wreck and leavings of a shattered and
corrupt remnant Of their former self
1t is q dangerous practice TO wait
until one becomes old to serve
God. Many times they are disappointed
and death strikes them down, aud they 60
before their maker to reader an account Of
a misspent life."
Father McKniry spoke of how men hest
tate at committing acts which would give
offense to tueir fellow men, and
at the same time never hesitate
| at committing offenses which are
abominations IN tho sight Of God. He
warned sinners not to presume too much on
| Gods mercy, and closed with an eloquent
appeal to all to take advantage of the OPP
portunity offered by the mission to repent
| 81 their sins ana endeavor to live better
lives in the future.
FATHER POWERS SERMON.
| hOttt am vaoy,Ia I;et,noI - ..n,.a,.
| of Father Powers at the evening service at
| o'clock. The preachers theme was, THE
End of Man" and it was handled in eloquent
and mastery style. Father Powers opened
his sermon by saying that God created
every man to one day enjoy the joys of
heaven, and it was the fault of man him
self if he lost his soul This life is short a {
its best, said he, but if well spent will give
| us passport to a celestial kingdom, whose
| joys are everlasting and whose happiness
is beyond description. All our trials and
| tribulations while on earth are put upon
| us to chasten and prepare us for a better re-
/ ward which is To come hereafter, and
| glory which God reserves for all, without
| exception, who live up to his command
ments and do his bidding.
| TOO LITTLE ATTENTION TO GOD.
People are too solicitous about worldly
affairs, and pay TOO little attention to serv-
to save their souls The end
Of man is life everlasting, and
it lies entirely with himself whether he
enters into the joys Of heaven or consigns
his soul to torment for eternity. God does
not demand adj our time: only what is re-
quired to serve and honor him in proper
manner
Father Powers closed by appealing to
every one to strive to gain that end for
which God created them, and which re-
quired but little effort to accomplish.
The music at both the mass aud vespers
was excellent, particularly Miss Josie
Kings rendition of Ave Maria" at the
offertory. The mission services will con.
tinue every day, morning and evening,
until Jan. 81.