The age-herald., 1901-02-11
BISHOP ALLEN AT ST. PAUL'S CHURCH Eloquent Sermon Preached at
 Mass Yesterday TOOK HIS TEXT FROM LUKE The Word of God Teaches the Faithful to Live Righteously-Faith Nee
 essary to Clear Under
 standing.
TOOK HIS TEXT FROM l LUKE

was the preacher.
 The music under the direction of Phil Memol, was of the usual choice order the solo parts being particularly well rendered. The choir sung the beautiful Kyrie from | Farmers Mass and the Credo, Sanctus l Benedictus and Agnus Del from Emerson's. l While the bishop knelt before the high altar in silent prayer just before his ser l mon the veni Creator, music by Willard, | was sung by Mrs. Satterfield Frank Al l rico and Frank P. O'Brien, and for the 1 offertory Mrs. M J. Hurley of Cleveland, l O., sang an Ave Maria, by Willard. Mrs. l Hurley has a strong, rich voice and she l sings with fine religious expression. Her solo was much complimented.
 l The Bishops Discourse. l Bishop Allen, upon entering the pulpit, l read in English the gospel of the day and then delivered lucid and eloquent dis | course from the text, "The Seed Is the Word of God" St. Luke S11. He said in | part:
 There are three places in every Catholic | church which are held in deep reverence l by all the faithful. First there Is the altar upon which the adorable sacrifice of mass Is offered. Here the priest of God stands each day and offers to the Eternal Father a spotless victim for the sins of men and here he prays for his people and begs God to bless and sanctify them. Secondly there is the pulpit, from which the chosen min ister of God delivers to the people the or | dinances of Gods holy law that are to guide and regulate their lives. Thirdly, there is the confessional-that holy tri- bunal where the secret failings of our weak and struggling nature are made known, and where we receive that guidance and direction which is absolutely necessary for us If we would walk steadfastly in the path of virtue and obey Gods holy law.
 "Todays gospel brings before the | parable of the sower who went out to scat ter seed over his field, and it teaches us aptly the respect and reverence due to Gods word delivered each Sunday from this pull pit
 "As seed can take root only in fertile, we'll 1 titled soil, so the word of God can produce good only in those hearts prepared for its reception. In some it will produce more, in others less, according to the disposition of each. It is particularly in the laws of Gods saints that the power of his sacred word is made manifest
 '.The edifying and self-sacrifcing lives of holy martyrs noble confessors, spotless vir- gins and many others who have led hidden lives with God and whose virtues are an- nually commemerated in the church feasts, show us the power of Gods word. But why is not the same effect produced on all our lives? Every adult Catholic has heard in- structlons on all moral and dogmatic sub- jeets which a priest deems it wise and pru- dent to speak upon. He has heard vice wig orously denounced; he has heard the evils Of worldly living and indifference placed before him continually. He has had the du- ties obligations and responsibilities of a Christian life and the power and efficacy of the sacraments explained to him so often that he begins to complain of the sameness O. tone and the monotony of the expression Why, then have these sermons failed tc accomplish their purpose. It is, fear, be- cause the seed of Gods word did not fal on good ground.
 Condition of Heart.
 "Certain considerations must exist in the soil before 1t can be made to yield harvest and certain dispositions must be found in our own hearts if the word of God is to dc good there. First, we must have pro- found respect and venelation loE God' holy word. Had we been present when oul Divine Lord delivered that sublime discourse called The Sermon on the Mount, we would doubtless have listened eagerly to all HC had to say and would have felt justly in dignant at those who lent only careless and indifferent ear to the sound of Hi voice. In this case the word of God was delivered by the man-God Himself; but k it any less worthy of our respect or homage because it is delivered to us from the altal or pulpit by one of Gods accredited min isters? Did He not say to them, As tho !; Father hath sent Me- 1 also send you? And again, He that heareth you, hearetl Me, and he that despiseth you, despisetl Me
 '.It is true the one who delivers 1t may not use the persuasive words of human wisdom and his language may demonstrate his own weakness and want of cultivation, but nevertheless 1t Is as worthy of our re- spect and homage as if it were delivered to us in the magnificent ornate periods in which the genius of Father Burke, a Bossuet or a I.acordaire could cl0 he it
 "The word of God should be listened to not only with respect and attention, but il should also be applied to ourselves and our own condition. Many apply what they hear to their nelghbor and never think of ap. plying 1t to themselves. Alas! we are toe well versed in our neighbours shortcomings and think too little of our own. The word of God, to be effective, must make us think must make us look deep down into our hearts and enable us to see the secret pas sions unholy affections and deliberate sins that deform our lives It must make us see the remedies necessary to correct our | lives and make us willing to apply these remedies.
 "One reason, perhaps, why the word of God does not have the proper effect on our lives Is because of our lack of faith. Many listen to a sermon in much the same curi- ous and indifferent spirit in which they lis- ten to political haransue or scientific lecture They listen as critics, and of course the sermon fails to move them to