The sun., 1900-12-26
PONTF|CAL MASS
Celebrated IN
REM0DELED CHURCH J
Right Rev. Alfred A. Curtis, Of
Baltimore, Celebrant at
Reopening.
SERMON BY REV. DR.. TIERNEY
Large Congregation Filled ST.
Peters Pro-CathedraI to
Hear the Eloquent
Talker.

The Rt. Rev. Alfred A. Curtis, former
ly bishop of Wilmington, but now of
Cardinal Gibbons household in Balti-
more, celebrated pontifcial mass on the
Feast of Christmas, before congrega-
ton which filled the handsome new edi-
fee into which old ST. Peters at Sixth
and West streets has been transformed.
Too much praise cannot be given the pas
tor, the architect and the builder for the
marvel of beauty in which the congrega-
tion of st. Peters may now worship.
Bishop Curtis preached at the vesper
service at 4.30 o'clock last evening.
The Rev. John j. Tierney, ID. d.,
professor at Mount st. Mary's College,
Emmitsburg, Md, preached a forcibie
sermon on the lessons of the Nativity"
DR.. Tierney's residence in the Holy
Land, wnere he spent several years in the
tudy of Biblical science, enables him to
peak with authority on the life of
jhrlst in the world. On the Feast-day
If Christmas, he said, the preacher is
disturbed not so much by what to say as
what not to soy. We are filled with
admiration and gratitude because of the
power and the love of God. He out of
nothing created man and out of love
pursued him that through the minis
tration of His divine Son man might be
restored to the favor of the God-head
Forfeited by the sin of dis0bedience. The
| first striking lesson Of the nativity is
obedience. Man lost the favor of God
| by disobedience; he is restored to Gods
| favor by the Divine Infant, from whose
manger-crib at Bethlehem shines the
virtue of obedience to enlighten the
world. Why did the Divinity come to
the world in so humble a guise? He
could have descended from his high
| throne in Heaven surrounded by His
Heavenly cohorts. He could have pro-
mulgated his gospel from another Sinai.
Such pagentry would have passed with
a day. His was no theatrical display.
In contrast with the pomp and glory of
the world is childhood's sweetest sim
plicity breathing from the Babe of Beth
ehem. 1t is this simplicity, this single
ness of character, this humility of life
which must be acquired il we are to
enjoy the beautific vision promised only
to those who are meek and lowly of
lheart.
"The lowliness of the Messiah was a
disappointment to the Jews. Their
fancy had fed upon the dream of great
world power to work the redemption of
Israel. But God designed to give the
Jews not what they liked, but what they
| needed. They desired the panoply Of
glory; they needed the strengthening
grace of virtue. They expected Christ
as a King; He came a helpless babe.
3hrist strove to teach them by example.
" act and deed the virtues of the Christ
an life. Never did the earth hear a
greater teacher than Jesus Christ. His
sermon on the Mount and his PARALLELS
Ire unsurpassed for their literary charm
and force. But the efficiency of Christ's
teachings lies not in their literary charm,
but in the life He led illustrating his
doctrines. He constantly appealed to His
works as proof of His divine mission:
and to the messengers of John the Bap-
tlst the proof he gave of his Messiah
ship was the good works which He had
performed and the fact that the poor
had the gospel preached to them
"The charm of letters was ais much in
the grasp of Christ as the power Of
Kingdoms; but neither the charm Of
letters nor the power of Kingdoms was
selected by him to regenerate man
,, kind. His obedient, simple and sincere
life abounding in good deeds was the
, lever with which Christ raised a fallen
world. And every follower of the Christ
is hedged around with this same power.
Whether ne wish it or not our example
, is potent pr good or evil; and on each
, of us res the heavy responsibility of
helping or hindering some observing soul
! in its search for truth.
'How important is, it then for us to
learn the lessons of Ahe Master that
others may by our example be brought
: to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. The
. world has gone astray. 1t is following
after false Gods. Wars dread alarms
. in the camps of christian wofId are
turning into mockery the teachings Of TN
, gentle Christ. Today our anthems siel
1 for the reign of peace, but our armies
. are reeking in the lust of war. Man vii
i not be saved through conquest of man
: No system of philosophy will satisfy the
soul. There is no name but that o,
: Jesus Christ through which man can b,
1 saved. To Him must man return and il
= he desires eternal salvation he mus
a closely initiate the obedience, the sim
q plicity, and the sincerity of the Christ
:. child of Bethlehem