Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-07-22
LAYING CORNER STONE N
AST. PATMck'S CHURCH.
Dean MuIligan's Sermon.

bury last SUNDAY was laying the COR
ner stone of the new Catholic Church
in this city. A large concourse of peo
pie was assembled, variously esti-
mated at from one to two thousand.
The service began promptly at 3.15,
and assisting Bishop McFaul in the
ceremonies were the Very Rev. Dean
B. ]. Mulligan, of Camden; the Rev.
Michael Dolan, rector of st. Patrick's
Church, Woodbury.; the Rev. Maurice
Cric, of Camden; the Rev. Alfred 3.
Scully, of Gloucester; William Fitz-
gerald, of Millville; and Michael c.
McCorrister, of Swedesboro.
After the cornerstone was laid Dean
Mulligan delivered the sermon which
we publish in full He said:
60 ye thereforefAnd teach all ma
tfons, baptising them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Ghost. Teaching them to OBJ
serve all things I have commanded
you, and behold | am with you all
days, even to the consummation of the
world" Matt. XVIII, 1920.
These words were uttered by the
Saviour of mankind after his ressur-
rection and before He had ascended
into heaven Never had words more
important and far reaching been spok-
en- go We into the whole world and
carry My gospel to every creature. :
How necessary was such a commission
the history of the human race at that
time clearly proved. Thoughtful
men-men who had character enough
and intelligence enough to stand
aside and contemplate the seething
moral and religious corruption that
abounded on all sides were crying out
for a Saviour-for the One whom tra-
dition assured them would come to
restore the world to the golden age.
At the time Christianity appeared So
ciety presented a dark picture-cov-
cred with fine appearances, but infect
ed to the core with mortal maIady,
it presented an image of most repug-
nant corruption yelled by the brill
liant garb of ostentation and Opu-
lence, Morality" says celebrated
writer, was without reality, manners
without modesty, passions without re-
straint, laws without authority, re-
ligion without God" Ideas were at
the mercy Of prejudice, of religious
fanaticism and of philosophical sub
tilities Man wastaa profound nys-
terry to himself; he did not know how
to estimate his own dignity, for ne
reduced it to the level of brutes, and
when he attempted to exaggerate its
Importance he did not know how to
confine it within the limits marked
out by reason and nature, and it is
well worth observation that while the
greater part of the human race groan-
ed in the midst of abject servitude,
heroes representing even the most
abominal monsters were elevated to
the dignity of gods.
Such in word was the state of So
ciety and of religion at the advent of
Christianity. The coming of the Mes
siah though clearly foretold by the
prophets, and expected by the nations,
though by far the most important
event since the creation of the world,
was unknown to or unheaded by the
greater part of men. Poor shepherds,
who were keeping the night watches
over their focks, were alone worthy
to receive visit from the heavenly
messengers, and to hear from the
angelic choir the beautiful and heaven
sent hymn Glory to God in the high
est, for to-day is born to you Saw
Jour, Christ the Lord, in the City OF
David pa light to the revelation of
the Gentiles and the glory of thy peo-
pie Israel Luke. Rising up they
said let us go down to Bethlehem and
see this wonder that is accomplished
Not in pomp and splendor did they
find Him, but with Mary his mother
and Joseph, his foster-father, in a
grotto or stable near Bethlehem, be-
cause there was no room for them In
the inn. Divine infant born of vir-
gin amid these humble surroundings
the beginning of his earthly career
was an object lesson in opposition tc
the prevailing sins of the age-pride
and RIGHTEOUSNESS. Ever gentle in
his manner, sweet in his intercourse
he grew to mans estate, but firm in
his teaching, he proclaimed doc
trine unheard of, and He spoke with
an authority that God alone could
assume, and he proved His right tC
such assumption of authority by the
performance of acts that were alone
possible to divine being. TO the
school of pagan philosophy and false
morality he opposed the sermon Oh
the mount Blessed are the poor II
SPIRIT Blessed are the clean o.
heart >. blessed are they that hunger
ana tnlTSt dltGI JlStlCS titus AdJ All
the foundation for the social, religious
and moral regeneration Of society
In the establishment of His church
and in the institution of the sacra
ments, he provided for the attainment
~ eternal felicity, and, in elevatins
Broad wavering Simon to the dignity O.
'alehief of the apostles and in bestowint
y on him the exercise of His own di
vine prerogative of infallability. hi
established His church on the Petra
the rock against which the gates o
hell the powers of darkness would no
prevail for He himself would be will
His church "all days, even to the con
summation of the world" He woult
live in His church by the Spirit o
Truth, the Paraclete whom He woult
send to abide with her for all time
The life of our Divine Saviour OF
earth, how fruitful in divine works
How rich in precept and doctrine
Having concluded His mission, having