New-York tribune., 1898-12-26
BISHOP POTTER AT ST. N4RT'S.
he SPEAKS OF FATHER BROWNS NOBLE
LIFE NOBLY LIVED AND
NOBLN ENDED"

There were the usual masses yesterday ut the
Church of 81 Mary the Virgin. in Wes, seventy
s1,h-st.. the services being conducted by the
errates Of the parish Fathers Upjohn and Wallis.
The sanctuary was decorated with evergreens. and
on the high altar Gala lilies and many additional
,apers indicated that It was a Nigh feast day, but
the sombre crepe on the pulpit. and Father
Browns stall and confessional a reminder OF
;he recent death Of the rector of the parish.
B.shoN Potter present at the solemn high
mass which uns at lc45 a.. m, and preached
the sermon. taking as his text St Luke II. 34-95.
He said in part:
I; belongs to us this morning to remember that
he law Of JOY in human life is that i forever
sorrov. No JOY comes into your life. or mine.
apart from these conditions. and no human ex.
Il; This is pre-eminently true. as think you will
agree with nc this morning. in those personal re-
most remarkable degree We are reminded by the
service and sorrow Of this day. 49,.
see II that which true of Mary and Of the
heart Of Mary has not been essentially true OF
you. hat was the meaning Of the words. Yea. q
sword shall pierce through thine own soul also :?
We are wont hink to asroGi9ts this this pr9pheGy
which came to Mary when her Son hung on
is life for men: but believe the sorrow she had
mind was something more and larger even
IN her human experience series of facts which
aade her realize the nature co of her relqtl9n ion 20 20
precious 10 her. which bound Him and her to-
sether
Bishop Potter contrasted the earthly relations Of
the mother Mary with the son Jesus. and the di-
vine relation OF the woman with the Christ He
could understand her heart. but It was only az
times that she could understand Him. In ex-
planning what he meant he said, There came
70 Mary first the piercing the heart. which cuts
slvays when one finds in the relation of profound
affection that another has ascended Up outside the
realn Of mutual intelligence
nfM MAJ "
seeing the death Of Jesus the cross, and realiz-
Ing tina, it meant the severance OF all earthly rela-
tons With her SON with the sorrows of the con-
rreratlon OF the Church Of St Mary the Virgin In
realizing that tbs earthly relations with their be-
loyed pastor were at an end. These are the
thoughts" Bishop Potter continued. which come
70 one on such day and on such feast as THIS.
/. such a place as this. and with such sorrow a..
yours How hard II is TO reconcile the feast OF
Christmas and the grief that bows you and me to-
esy In our common sorrow ,.. ~
Bishop Potter spoke of the dead priests excep-
tonal gifts as pastor. which brought him INTO
;he spiritual consciousness OF his peoples lVes.
and declared that il was not reasonable 70 eyre!
Re said who /. worth following is always inte :
Lgibe Is II your ate pastor could , speaK aS.
be would tell you 10 take up your burden. your
Of life your discourasement IN ~ [he 1 race 10
taken away with the consciousness that When
the Babe was born IN Bethlehem the parting, fne fa
SEPARATION In its extreme and nnal sense. so iat
as Gods children were concerned was Forever d'
an end . 49,,
Bishop Potter advised the congregation 10 take
up the toys Of the day with remembrance OF tNe
sorroWs OF Mary and all that they meant. ana
said: "As YOU bless God for all that he that was
your pastor and priest was and did here IN thls
how house lei us take away with US to-day most
Q. all amid our human grief that we shall see ms
human face no more. the supreme JOY that IN IN
fellowship with Gods elect with you and me ne
IS one. that in that fellowship his heart. as ms
eyne Masters heart. enwraps you al ana iT.- t
you here Keep close 10 your spiritual conscious,
nsss the sense OF that noble life. nopiy hVeo anu
r0bly ended"