The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-12
SERMON BY FATHER DUNN.
Delivered st Lepten DevO,iOns in st.
Peters Cathedral.

Peters Cathedral.
Rev. NJ II. Dunn, OF Wilkes Barre.
formerly of this city, preached the sea-
mon of the Ienten devotions at st.
Peters cathedral last evening. The
church was filled Notwithstanding the
heavy snow storm. The reverend
speaker was eloquent and his discourse
was a most instructive one. His text
was from the Prophet Isaias. IF any
one will come after me, let him take up
his cross and deny himself and follow
me-"
Christ has placed cross on every
one, said Father Dunn, the rich and
poor, young and old. high and low, all
must bear the cross which He speaks
Of What is the nature of this cross!
The old must bear the weaknesses and
debilities of old age and. perhaps, the
disgrace of a child. or the cruel treat
ment OF sons or daughters. Man in
middle life has to bear the struggles
against the world. watching to avoid its
snares surrounding his footsteps; he
has to bear the treachery Of false
friends. of those who affect to befriend
him and on the contrary are ready to
drag him to disgrace and ruin.
The woman has to bear her crosses
when she looks back ON the children
whom she nourlshed and sees them led
astray by the temptations of the devil
and the allurements of false advisers.
The cross of the young man comes to
him. when, with bright prospects. he
enters upon a course, and of sudden
something occurs which blasts all his
hopes. This may come to him from
lurking enemies who seek his downfall,
or 1t may be in his attempt after popu
larity or In business pursuits. The
young woman bears her cross when she
is bowed down beneath some misfor-
tune.
CROSSES REFERRED TO.
These are the crosses that Jesus has
reference to. We behold Him on the
pathway through life from the cradle to
the grave. He was no sooner born into
the world than the edict of HerOd went
forth. Next He was prosecuted by the
Jews and the miracles He performed
were attributed to the power of Beelze-
bub. lie was spurned and rejected by
the people He came to save and was
finally crucitied on Calvary.
This Is an example for us to follow.
We are to bear our cross as He did
with patience and resignation. We
must follow after Him. each one in his
own condition. each one in his own
state. The young must be obedient to
their parents. Christ at the age of II
showed an example of obeying His par
ents. What about the young men and
young maidens who discard parental
control and follow In their evil ways,
knowing If they persevere that the
course Will lead to their destruction:
How many a young man who had good
prospects in life. diobeyed his parents
and accomplished his ruin here and his
doom hereafter?
WE FORGET THE SOUL.
The young girl who will give way to
her fancies and follow her own inclina-
tions. pursuing the path knowing that
the end will lead her to perdition, has
need to refiec. and take up her cross.
In the midst of our business affairs OF
life we are apt to forget the eternal in
terests of the soul. We are justified in
laboring for the body to keep it in
proper health, and we do this to accom-
plish temporal end Why not lay
aside some of our time in putting on
garments for the soul. which is eternal
and lives forever? The church tells us
how to walk the way of Christ the
Savior tells us that His cross Is not
heavy, that ii Is sweet and light. The
saints and the holy men and women
who devote their lives to the church
testify that the yoke is not heavy, for
their mind is contented We benefit
our souls by a little trouble, by little
penitcntial act. and amidst all our sor-
rows and tribulations to bear them with
fidelity and devotion. We must take
what comes and with the Savior, dying
ON the cross. repeat. Not My will, O
Lord. but Thine he done"