Year: 1871

Christ a G God of Love-Sermon by Rsv. J.. T.
Hecke2.


Father Hecker preached yesterday In this church.
taking for his text the last verse Of the Cos.
pei OF the day:-T am, who am amen, amen, before
Abraham was, l am.r When our Saviour said this
the Jews stoned him, for they satisfied that He
had been guilty OF blasphemy; and, with them, that
was the customary punishment for that crime.
Jesus Christ used the expression 81 am,' and not
81 was," because He wished them to understand
that He was eternal; In fine, God,


| There are two classes to be found among Chris.
tians; one being fearful timid and distrustful the
other. being presumptuous and too confident. 1
confess with the first l have no pa tience what
soever. Again and again ore they assured
that "God loves those who serve Him with
pure neart;" still they keep on doubling,
worrying and tormentng themselves because they
are not more perfect; fearing lest they may have
concealed some sin in confession; and, after the
performance OF their religious duties they 60 out In
the world, and instead OF appearing with illumined
countenances, as did Moses when he came down
from the mountain, they are morose and petulant
and their brows are darkened with scow 1t is not
unfortunately confined entirely the worlds people,
but we find them even among those who have re-
nounced the world and given themselves up wholly
70 tue service OF GOD. Did they but know II, THIS


NOT YET FULLY wEASED FROM THE WORLD


to the cause Of RELIGION because others Who are nc
religious, upon seeing how the practice Of religion
anects them. refuse to amend their ways, giving as
reason that II It makes persons so cross they would
rather let It alone. They insult God By their con-
duct, since they make Him appear as only God OF
and justice Deus ts God Se9 saith 3 bGye 81
John, Cnrlsts beloved Apostle: and He surely must
be God Of love, who mas said to Us. 'Oome unto
to me, all ye who are heavy laden, and will give you


e. sad q y'hs ssss ueen
that they are suffering from spiritual dyspepsia
On the other hand, those OF the second class insult
he is indeed God OF mercy, but they viii learn one
day to their regret when It is too Iate that lie Is
also God OF justice, who Will not always allow
divine commands and precepts. When they are
asked to go TO confession and become practical
Catholics, one Will tell you he Is


TOO BUSY JUST AT PRESENT.


put ne Will do SO by and by, Another IS working
nard TO acquire fortune upon which to retire. and
as soon as he succeeds he intends to give up bus
ness and devote the balance Of his life to God When
ne first started In business he was very careful 10
INVOKE @ Gods blessing upon his undertaking; but
now that success has crowned his efforts he says to
zoo, 'See here; can get along by myself now, and
cont need your help any longer" TINS Is not the
LANGUAGE Of his lips <but am Interpreting the lam
goage ,,,a o. ss heart on, how wish could make
of that little word "nowih Poor, presumptious
SINNER, what right have you to say you will repent
the timer Now, the present Is the only time Won
nave. Tor yesterday Is dead Is thing OF the past
ana tomorrow Is not yet come. No act OF thine can
morrow. Some object to going to confession on the
ground that the priest would lind them


RATHER A BIG JOB


Come along: do not allow that thought TO preyent
you Tor you Will ind that for big jobs make very
big discounts. certain Catholic priest some time
since was riding IN the Hudson River cars, when ne
was approached By man who had Just been ib.
Grated from Slug Sing. The man, having asked II
ne was not Father Soand-so entered into converse