The Washington times., 1901-09-23
RECTOR'S FIRST SERMON.
DR.. Stafford breaches as the New
Head of st. Patrick's Church.
Greeted by Large Congregations at
Each Mass Yesterday - No Formal
Installation Intended "A Sermon
ON the Simplicity of Christianity.

The first sermon delivered by the Rev
DIR. D. ]. Stafford as rector of St
Patrick's Church was preached at the
early mass yesterday morning before a
large congregation. 1t was a short dis
course treating ON Christian love. but its
forcefuI arguments. blended with the most
tender appeals. made genuine impress
sion on the attentive congregation. 1t
was indeed a fitting theme for DIR. Staf-
| ford's first sermon as rector and brought
| the members of the congregation at once
nearer their new shepherd
After each of the masses there was an
| incessant stream Of callers at the par
sonage offering DR.. Stafford their hearty
congratulations on his elevation to the
rectorship and their sincere wishes for a
| happy and bright future. DR.. Stafford
was very much moved by the demonstra-
tion of love and esteem in which he is
held by his congregation, and could
| scarcely muster words in response to the
good wishes of his friends.
On account of the mourning into which
| the country has been planged by the sad
death of President Mckinley, there were
no attempts at decorating the interior of
! the edifice in honor of the new rector
appointment. All that was to be seen OF
| bright colors were a few cut glass vases
| filed with roses, carnations and asters,
| on the main altar.
| The Rev. Thomas Dolan. assistant
priest at st. Patricks, celebrate
| mass, and DIR. Stafford .e'-- a'hei oas
nor occupied s~-ss "ithii inc ai'af iai'-
| in. uarore opening his sermon DR..
stafford announced to the congregation
that the schools Of the parish are open.
\ .rI ratatc fc,h n yaa moi
children attend. In speaking of his ap-
pointment as rector of st. Patricks, Dr.
Stafford said in part:
IT have an announcement to make. my
dear brethren, and am sure it will make
you as happy to hear it as II makes me
| happy to announce II to you. 1t is my
appointment as permanent rector of this
church, which was made last Friday by
his Eminence the Cardinal. 1 beg to take
this opportunity to thank you for the as
sistance which you have rendered TO me
perienced at your hands
In referring to his assistants. DR.. Staf-
ford said: We are co-partners in GER
tain sense, there is no distinction to be
made in the household or as far as the
priest is concerned. I feel thankful to
| my congregation and / am sure that with
and Father Gaynor we will all be happy
and gain the blessings Of the Lord. 1t
has been suggested that there should be
an installation ceremony, but the pres
ent hour is not fitting for such an occa-
sion. and my inclination is not in that dl-
rection- ! will celebrate high mass next
Sunday and in that manner will l inaug-
urate my pastorate."
DIR. Stafford then preached the sermon,
which was founded on st. Matthew
xxii:3545 He said in part: christianity,
like all great things, is absolutely simple.
The religion instituted by God in order
| to be understood and accommodated to
all men must be simple. There may be a
great elaboration of the doctrinai law and
the canons Of the Church. but it is alb
solutely possible that the essence of the
Christian religion can be grasped by
everybody. irrespective of education, or
station in life. There are great events of
history. of dogma. and theological dis
cussions. but no such things are necessary
to salvation.
''Whosoever loves God and his neigh
Dor with all his soul and observes the
commands of God and the Church is a per-
feet Christian. If we love God and our
neighbor we put the sublimest principle
of Christianity into execution, and we are
surely in the way of salvation. 1t is pos
sible for the savage Christian as well as
for the philosopher Christian to under
stand the Christian religion 1t is possible
for the simple and ignorant as well as for
the learned. Who loves God and his
neighbor is a good Christian, and all the
blessings of peace will come to him in