Norwich bulletin., 1914-03-09
LENTEN SERMON BY
 NEW YORK PREACHER
Rev, J, T. McNicholss, o. P., at St.
 Patrick's Church.

4 large and appreciative congrega- ton listened to the forceful and in- structive sermon delivered by Rev. J. T. McNicboIas, o. P, of New York, at the Lenten service in St Patrick s church Sunday evening. Father Nc Nicholas spoke in brief as follows:
 There is between the Creator and preacher a relationship. We recognize the relationship between heaven and the child. Who will say the child knows no duty to the father and mother The relationship betwen the Creator and preacher brings forth ob- ligations which may be classified as natural and supernatural. From the dawn of creation there is something more than a natural religion. God could have created us with an im- mortal soul, and we could have lived on and on, forever and forever, in a holy and pure state. This was not the condition under which man was ere ated-
 We find there is an instinct and de- mand to pay tribute to Him. The un- civilized tribes, steeped in the great est ignorance, all respond to demand to pay tribute to some supreme being We find in ourselves that undehnable something that makes us pay tribute to our God.
 When God created Adam he mani fested certain truths that were be- yond his nature. This primitive re- ligion was handed down to the time of Christ. From the time of Christ on is the second period of supernatural re- Egion-
 Since the time of Christ supernatural religion Is governed by a fuller and more perfect revelation made to the world by the Son of God. You rernem Der how He said to his apostles: Go teach all nations" This teaching is definite It supposes a body to teach and a body with the obligation of be- ing taught We find a religion that teaches that there Is one person in God and another religion teaches that there are three persons in God. some teach that there are two Sacraments others that there are seven sacramentS Christ cannot be responsible for the contradictory teachings or absurditieS In this supernatural religion from the time of Christ to our own time we tno and will find contradictions and ab- surdities. Let us in a spirit of grad- tude ask God to make it possible fo1 those who are in the darkness to see the light and truth.
 If our citizenship and patriotism is not of the highest order we are lack ing in the supernatural order, because our religione demands 1t. The prac- tfcal question now is: Am l a Cath olis such as I should be? If you are not responsive to the demands of the supernatural religion. you are reflect ing discredtt upon yourself and youI church Other questions that arise are: Are you faithful in prayer? Are you faithful in justice? Are you faith ful in charity? Are you faithful to the obligations of the sacrament?
 Do not imagine or say to yourSeI I am not worthy to approach and par take of the sacrament, for 1t 1' through the sacrament that me may become worthy and find peace.
 Father McNichoias was to have beer the preacher also at the service here last Sunday evening, but because O. the big rain and windstorm that day he was held up for about three hours on the trolley between New London and Norwich and did not reach here until about g o'clock.