The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-03-01
WEEKS MISSION IS
 BEGUN AT ST. PAUL'S
Father Clarke Says War and Influ- enza Pestilence Reminders of De-
 pendence on God

The annual weeks mission at St.
 Paurs Church opened yesterday at the last mass with a sermon by the Rev. Father Clark, o. P. Despite the
 fact that very large attendances fea- tured the earlier masses at 6.30, 1889
 and g. the 10:30 service saw the church comfortably filled.
 After explaining the object and scope of the mission and announcing
 the order of services to be followed,
 the preacher. taking as his text, What
 doth it profit man if he gain the
 hole world and suffer the loss of
 lis soul" delivered sermon of dis
 tinct power that held the close atten-
 ton of his audience from the begin
 ming to the end.
 He reminded his hearers of the great
 principle that the first lesson in their
 little catechism inculcated. that we were created to know. love and serve God in this world and thereby to save cur souls. and that we should take more care of our souls than of our bodies. since losing our souls we lose
 God and everlasting happiness.
 DO such principles obtain in the world today?' inquired the preacher and he added that he was forced sadly to answer No" and for the same sea
 son that the old prophet in ante-Chris- tian days recognized when he saw Jerusalem, Gods chosen city, neglect ful of Jehovah. With desolation is the whole land made desolate for there is no man that considereth in his | feart."
 i Father Clark then dramatically de-
 clared that the great world war and the greater scourge, the influenza | pestilence, were reminders sent by God ! to bring man back to a realization oi l dependence on Him.
 Father Clark pointed out the false l standard set by the world when Il | considers successful the man and wo-
 man who attain earthly applause anl
 honor and goods: when the true test l Is otherwise. the keeping of Gods l law He urged finally his hearers to 1 one and all. during this mission, which 1 is a period of especial grace. to go ! back again to a realization of tho 1 truth of the great principles learned 1 as children from Chapter 1 of thf catechism that they should take more care of their souls than of theii | bodies. and that they were created by God Almighty to know, love and serve God and thereby save their souls. The services at 7:30 D. m. witnessed the church well filled. despite the cold weather. Father Clarke again occu- pied the pulpit. He gave a brief ex- p]anaticf of the devotion known as fha Rosary devotion. This ~svotior originated with St. Dominic, the founder of the Order of F'riar Preach CTS, S4 it is part of the rule that the 7 RoAAry be explained and recited be fore all services held by the Domi- tbiqi@Ys.
 r the recitation of five decades sf tae Rosary the sermon proper was iis. red The subject was Mortal sin and the preacher. after definine
 eie4 eIv mortal sin. went on to tell oi tx fleets in thesworld. esp~ciallv the effeat of death. the death Of the body tle aeath of the soul and the death ol christ on Calvary. He stroye tc excite sa hls hearers deep horror of mortal i ssa which he showed clearly is the rtsis real misfortune in the world :neeg what were usually called misfor. | sunas are betimes aipeit in disguise
 t3cdS choicest blessings
 l Alter the sermon an appropriate 1 Fre5lsh hymn was sung and the serv- ss Concluded with benediction of the i. Rl%s@ed Sacrament.
 Father Mayer. who yeste1day closed q weeks mission in Admission. will fill 1h~ brlrit toniGht at St. Paufa Tile body Of Father White lav in stats s1s s;sssv Saturday and Sunday al st. Paufs ifa ach. Guards of honor from the Yulsnn . ,sst and the Knishta If Columbus yer, s4a&3nt . tall times. dav and pisht TNe { fu'Sp4 Club, of which Father White wa' ehn} 5ain. asststed in body at the 7:yl sesas and an recefved holy eompunior {f the repose Of his soul
 <3 perlor said it Wae edifxinx to s9e
 crowds of young bows and eirls fl
 tltar Fails asnin and ae.in- han5