Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-03-07
SERMON on PENANCE.
Rev. Father McEllgOtt Of GrahOn Preached to
an Immense Congregation at st. JO8eph'S
Cathedral Last Night.

Last night witnessed the largest
congregation ever gathered on a week
day night at the Cathedral. The oc-
casion was the sermon by Rev. Father
McElligott. now Rector of st. Angus
tines Church at Grafton, w. Va. me
reverend Father spent over eighteen
years in Wheeling, much of the time
as assistant at the Cathedral He was
very popular when residing here, and
! this. his first visit, to preach in the
| Cathedral since he left, created little
sensation among the Catholic portion
Of our community. Extra preparations
were made to accommodate the large
crowd which was expected, but 1t was
! found impossible.
The subject OF the reverend gentle
mans discourse was "Penance." His
text: UNLESS you do penance, youshall
all likewise perish. Luke xiii. ..
Some contend that the word pen
ance is a mere sorrow for past sins.
Scripture implies more. 1t is an earn
est sorrow which will manifest itself
in an eternal way. St Augustine says
that true sorrow for our sins Will be
manifested by works Of penance. Our
Lord says Of Tyre and Sidon that if
| His works were done among them they
would have done penance in sackcloth
and ashes.
The speaker then recalled the works
of penance which are recorded in the
! Old Testament. He quoted large
number of texts from various books Of
this part of the Bible He quoted
largely from the New Testament. Then
he took up the history Of the church,
the constant tradition concerning the
duty of doing works of penance.
From penance as a virtue, the rev.
erend speaker proceeded TO "Penance
as a Sacrament" He referred to the
severe ACCOMPLISHMENTS imposed on
themselves by the early Christians for
grievious offenses against God. He con-
trasted those with the relaxed spirit
of many Christians of to-day. He then
entered into detail concerning the var
ious works of penance. First, he
spoke of fasting, its relation to the
soul and body, showing how the spirit
is strengthened by the modification OF
the body. Then he spoke Of seli-de-
NAL as another means Of penance. How
pleasing it is to God and what good a
man who has the spirit Of selt-denlal
can do for society. The next means
of penance according TO the speaker
and on which he dwelt more fervently,
was TO accept with resignation such
crosses and Affections as are our por-
ton in this world, accepting them
from the hands of God as punishment
for orr sins. These. he affirmed. are
the most pleasing sacrifices we can
offer to God.
Father McElligott then showed the
effects of a penitential life on Chris
tian. proving that it is a potent factor
in securing perseverance in molly hIe.
Such a spirit makes us humble mind
ed keeps down our unruly passions,
keeps our minds on God. He showed
how easily man falls from grace. lie
smoke of st. Paul's warning to those
who stand to take heed less they fall.
A self-indulged Christian, who seeks
Injury. and knows not the cross OF
Christ walks in a dangerous roads liza
HE to fall and die in their sins. lie then
evplained the parable o. the barren
tree. from which he dwelt shortly on
Gods long forbearance and mercy, but
showed how that patience can be worn
out. The tree has its trial, it bears
not the fruit desired. Gods patience
is at an end. The tree is cut down and
thrown into the fire. Let us then not
be the barren tree, but let us bring
forth fruits worthy Of peHance.
After services a large number crowd
ed the parlors of the Cathedral to
shake hands with Father McElligott,
the reception lasting half an hour.