The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1909-02-08
MISSION IN EAST
ORANGE DRAWS
IMMENSE CROWD
"The Race of Life," Subject of.
Interesting Sermon by the
Rev. Father Brown.
MARATHON RUN USED
FOR TIMELY ILLUSTRATION
Need of Self Denial and Hard
Work in Training for
Goal OF Religion.

The mission in Our Lady Help of
Christians Church, East Orange, con-
Quoted by the Rev. Father Brown, S,
j.. and the Rev. Father Jansen, S. J.,
vas attended last night by about 1900
persons. Every pew was occupied,
seats were placed two rows deep near
the altar and in the choir loft. and the
assemblage overlooked into the three
aisles. 1t was one of the largest as
semblages ever gathered in the big
edifce. The 5 and 9 o'clock masses to-
day were also attended by hundreds,
n special arrangements have been
made to accommodate the large throng
expected each night during the two
weeks the mission is in pogress.
Besides the services in the church an
instruction will be given in the parish
hall each night, Father Brown making
the following announcement concern
ing It:
There will be a special course of in
struction given during the mission for
non-Catholics. This course will be held
in the parish hall every evening at $50,
and will last during the entire two
weeks. II is for all those who wish to
be prepared for reception into the
church. or who may desire to hear a
satisfactory explanation Of the truths
Of the Catholic faith
The Race of Life.p
The opening sermon was preached by
Father Brown. who had for his topic.
The Race Il Life" Father Brown
took as his text the words of st. Paul
in the first epistle to the Corinthians;
Brethren. know ye not that they that
run in the race. all run indeed, but one
rsceiveth the prize? So run that you
may obtain" He drew attention TO the
fact that ST Paul. TO illustrate his
subject. used figures that are as ia
miiar 10 the people of today as they
were TO the ancient Greeks in the time
of the apostles. ST. Paul, as we'll as
the Greeks, was fond of athletics, and
he held the attention of his listeners
by his frequent references to their
manly sports.
1T is the same todav.'' he said.
Americans as a people are interested
in athletics. Witness the widespread
interest taken in the recent Marathon
races. which had their inception in
early Greece. So st. Paul's language
appeals to us as much as it did to
people of former days"
Father Brown then proceeded to
develop st. Paul's idea. He spoke of
the necessity of winning in the race for
heaven. which is just as much a race
as that for an earthly reward. He re-
minded his hearers. as st. Paul did,
that the runners prize is only a small,
insignificant triie in comparison with
the reward God holds out to the i'm
mortal soul. God offers the infinite,
everlasting riches of heaven-"an in
corruptible crown'-the athlete can
gain only a very limited prize-a cor
ruptible crown.
; A COrruptlblc Crown.
And yet for that corruptible crown
the athlete viii endure severe training
and practise much se~lf-denial; other
wise he would be sure of losing in the
trial. The severe strain of the race de-
mands careful preparation and a most
well-regulated life. The athlete is will
Ing to put up with all this. because he
desires to win. God asks of the Catho-
lie the same thing, seIf-denial and "a
well-ordered elife. How many look at
it in this light? How many are will
ing to forego the sinful pleasures of
this world to gain everlasting happi-
ness in the next?'
The sermon at night was preached
by Father Jansen, who i'll the cours of
bis remarks said:
The man possessed of great wealth
is not entirely happy; he wants more.
Did you ever see a millionaire who
would not accept 81, 900 more if II
were offered him. We cannot find a
man who is completely happy. Com
piete happiness is heaven, and reach
ing that goal is no mere formality;
II requires work to save you soul, for
II is an earnest business, and n thing
needed Is a firm determination"