The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1900-01-22
''SHOW THYSELF
TO THE PRIEST"
Rev. Father Cronin of Newport,
R. l., at St. PauIs.
.LEPROSY OF THE SOUL
Visiting Priest Discussed His Sub
iect in Lucid Manner, and Re-
ceived the Closest Attention
from the Congregation

The Rev. Father Cronin, of Newport, r.
l., who is the guest of the Rev. Father
O'Reilly. was the ceebrant and preacher at
high mass at St. Paul's yesterday
strong, vigorous man, physically and
intellectually graceful, polished man,
with a rich, sonorous voice, he made a
singularly fine impression both in the inton-
ing of the service and in the discourse
which he delivered
At the close of the mass, standing the
platform in front of the altar he read the
gospel of the day in English. found in the
eighth chapter of ST. Matthew, from the
first to the thirteenth verses, inclusive:
''When He was come down from the noun
tain, great multitudes followed him.
"And, behold, there came leper and wor-
shipped Him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt,
thou canst make me clean.
and Jesus put forth His hand, and
touched him, saying, l will; be thou clean,
and immedia tely the leprosy was cleansed.
and Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell
no man. but go thy way, show thysef to
the priest; and offer the gift which Moses
commanded. for testimony unto them.
And when Jesus was entered into Caper-
naum there came a centurion beseeching
him
"And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at
home sick of the palsy, grievously tor
mented." etc.
Father Cronin prefaced his sermon by
saying that he wished TO make acknowl-
edgement to Father O'Reilly for according
him the privilege of saying mass in his
church 81 have known Father O'Reily for
a long time" he said. "He is kind, char
liable and devoted priest, and you should
always respect him and be regardful OF
him. Come often to the priest-show your
self to the priest, as Christ bade the
cleansed leper to show himself to the
nriest. even under the old dispensation."
After these apt and kindly words, the
preacher discussed in a clear, edifying and
eloouent manner the lessons of the Scrip
| ture which he had read. He told of the
| loathsome character of leprosy and said
| that far worse than the leprosy of the body
| was the leprosy of the human hou But
even the soul covered with leprosy could
| be cleansed by the grace of God. 1t was
| nearly 1900 years ago that this act related
| by Matthew occurred, but the Savior today
through his ordained priests, is cleansing
| leprous souls.
| The preacher dwelt upon the efficacy of
| the sacraments of confession and absolu-
! ton. He told of poor wretched man
| who on his death bed, sent for him. Re-
| spending to the call, the priest found the
| man well nigh given over to despair. He
! had only few hours to live. 81 have been
| a very wicked mana wicked man all my
| life: so wicked that there can be no hope
| for my salvation. 1t is too late now to ex-
| pect forgiveness. I must die in my sins and
| be forever lost" said the wretched man
| to the priest
| But the priest told the poor fellow that
| there was forgiveness, even for him. He
| said to the dying man, make frank con-
fession of all your sins and come with a
| contrite heart to Christ and in Christ's
| name I will give you absolution, and you
will be saved" The man did make a frank
| confession and an act of contrition, and
| the priest gave him dissolution and admin
istered extreme JUNCTION.
"Then," said the preacher, "the face which
had little while before appeared so wretch
ed, for the man had been indeed a great
sinner, shone with heavenly light. Through
the grace of God despair had given place
to an assurance of salvation. And peace
fully, with a smile on his face, the man
died
eyes, my friends, come show yourselves
to the priest the preacher continued, land
if you make good confessions salvation
will be yours"
Father Cronns closing exhortation to the
congregation was full of tenderness and
beauty Throughout his discourse he was
listened to with closest attention.