The Irish standard., 1894-03-31
DEATH AND LIFE.
The Resurrection Ably Viewed
From the Standpoint Of
Biblical Criticism.
SERMON BY REV. FIR. BYRNE,

SERMON BY REV. FIR. BYRNE.
The Doctrine Of Christ Solves the.
Problem of Our Being and
Of Our Destiny.
The comemoration Of Easter Sunday
at the Church of st. Anthony Of Padua1
was made this year with more than ordi !.
nary solemnity. The ladiesof the parish
put forth every effort to make the affairs
reflect the beauty and the joyousness OF
the occasion. A profuslon OF cut flo" era
and lights tastetully arranged on baek41
ground of white and gold had most
pleasing effect: In the sanctuary we're
Rev. Fathers O'Reilly, Moore and Byrne
and Father Malloy, who in a sweet voice
chanted the beautiful liturgy OF the
church. The large church was crowded
to It's utmost capacity with devout wor-
shippers Father Byrne, of St. Thomas
Seminary, pronounced beautiful dis
course OF which we give an abstract be-
low. He was listened to throughout
with rapt attention;
And behe1d and heard the voice OF zaanys
angels around about the throne and the living
creatures 81 thousands of thousands
saying: "The Lamb that was slain Ia worthy
to receive power and divinity and wisdom and
strength and honor and glory and benediction.
Apoc. ", II 49, l
Ny dear Brethren: Our life lis but
one and it is all-important that thai one
should be guided Alright Were itgiyen
to us to rise again from the dead and re-
tracing our steps on this earth to read
just our opinions if incorrect, to amend
our conduct, if wrong, experiences might
be our safe guide. We're our reason
never beolonded by the foul yapors OF
sense, it's light might fash out clearly
oar path to destiny. Were true senti
ment and right instinct tunshakable in.
the manifold vioissitudes of life, night
sentiment might securely guide le to e.
haven of peace. But because reason is
faltering, and experience comes too late,
and sentiment is Unstable we necessarily
require light from above to guide us in
our pilgrimage here below That light
is Revelation disclosing the underlying
truths of mans being, his purpose here
on earth, his destiny hereafter. 1t is the
voice of God speaking through wonder
worker and seer; it is the power Of God
confirming by miracle and prophecy and
lastly, most incomprehensible Of all, 1t is
the bounty of God sending us in His
only -begotten Son model and q guide.
II this be true then perplexed and wear
led man has but to receive the light from
the God man and his appointed Witnesses
and with it strength to work out his
destiny secure. But is it true? Thes
fact that Revelation was good or necee-
sary or that what is claimed as Revela-
ton from God has immensely benefited
the world merely commends but does
not establish it's truth. On what then
does it's truth hinge? Have we to verify
every statement? Is there no keystone
to this arch, no corner stone to this edi-
fee? Yes, God in His goodness has
simplified our research after truth and
has made the truth OF all depend upon
the truth of one event-an event to which
all preceding looked forward, and all
succeeding facts of Revelation look back,
VIZ: that glorious mystery of the Resur-
reotion of Christ from the dead which
this day we commemorate. "1t Christ"
says the apostle, "be not risen, then is
our preaching vain and your faith is
vain" Il Cor. XIV, 11-14.) And before
the apostle the Saviour, being asked for
q sign that he was truly the Messias,
said, ssdestroy this temple and in three
days will build it up again. You will
permit me then this morning to put be-
fore You clearly and succinctly this all
important truth of Christ's resurrection
and to so fortify it with the arguments
Of biblical science that you in this age
may be able to give the reasons for the
Faith that Is in you and rising on the in
epiration OF that Faith you may say with
the thousands and thousands above,
.aThe Lamb that was slain is worthy to
receive power and divinity
No man who speaks Of the Resurrec-
tion can ignore scientific criticism.
Science has too often raised her torch
aloft and flashed light on the obscure
recesses in which the records Of the past
rested, she has too often conyerted what
was history into legend and myth to be
set aside ID eonside d this inn
portance. Now there are two clements
ID the idea Of tho Resurrectio namely,
Death and LifA g Unless the grain Ct
wheat falline . the ground disth, said
the ssyiiour HIiinsell Sc II renalneth
slons = IS 'i .oiienDe i iit not