Year: 1870

Sermon by Rev. III. s. Lake the Love OF


the Blessed Virgin.


1t would seem to persons visiting the above-named
edlfce on Sundays that it stands pre-eminently
above others of the same denomination throughoue
the city in point of attractiveness. From oil parts
OF the metropolis and from the cities across the
river numbers of the devoted sons OF mother Church
flock to the splendid temple of the Paulist Fathers
in Fifyninth street, pay their tribute of homage
to the living God with all the Tever.
ence and solemnity which this church and its sur.
roundngs are well calculated to excite. Yesterday
the feast of the patronage of the Mother of God
and the decoration Of the interior OF the building
was all that could be desired. The altar was pro-
fusely adorned with flowers and candles while the
nave and spacious aisle were illumned by gas jets
projecting in the form OF crosses from the columns,
'casting dim, religious lght.' The high mass
commenced at halCpast ten and was celebrated Dy
Rev. A. Spencer. After the chanting of the first
gospel Father Lake ascended the ALTAR and, having
read the gospel OF the day. he took his text from the
book Of Ecclesiastes, XIV, 24-.'I am


"THE MOTHER OF FAIR Love-


the festival They were honorlng the Blessed Virgin
Mary under the ue OF her patronage, thereby giving
Love dwells in each OF our hearts. 1t is divine
sentiment which even the lower creation seems to
share. The worst thing that can be said OF the devil
Is that he Is being without love. And In accord
ance with all tnls are we enc not told that God





Queen OF Heaven approaches nearer to God than
any other created beng, she must possess love
with love. II we wish confirmation OF this truth
we have only to unfold the pages OF the Divine Book
now yellow with age Therein we behold the record
OF the inspired evangelist concerning the visitation
of the Virgin Mother often pOndered on by
devout Catholics when counting their beads. BY
means OF that visit the child of Elizabeth was
| sancthed. 1t was an auspicious moment. The
Son of Man had begun to drink life from the blood
ia her VEINS and Mary's longing for silence must





rally arises III mothers breast ut the period.
Nevertheless, she departed in haste, though the
! unborn Saviour had impaired TO her the desire
| Now, since


JESUS CHOSE MARY


| to sanctify the Baptist may conclude thatyHe
| will do the same In our regard. Another heavenly
picture OF her love is shown the marriage feast
at Cana more touching instance OF her affection 10t
her friends can hardly be found than this which
the queen OF Gods paradise is unwilling see the
| guests without wine. She successful suppl
eating her Divine Son and her love was again
| less examples Of her ardent love Is that Of
| her presence at the foot Of the cross.
rows and her heart-rending anguish because OF His
torments that led her sobbing to the heights Of Oa
vary. Her presence there would rather intensity
His sufierings and her own. But 1t must needs be
that her love became triumphant over her woes, AZ
IL was the glory OF her Joys Why, thcn did she 60
to view His bleeding sides II was that she might
PROVE HER LOVE FOR US


by sacrifice OF unmeasured trlbulation, whlcn, IN
deed, she nobly made when she was witness 70
to place our happiness in the happiness
| of another. Love, therefore, may at times demand
sacrifice. Even though It never demand one we we
! make requlstion 1t Is seen most visiby. Never
| does the heroic soldier become more patriotic and
endearing than when, facing death upon the battle
/ field, he receives the fatal wound and fetches MS
last sigh on the threshold Of eternity. 1t was such
love that stimulated the Christian martyrs to with.
stand the menaces OF their torturers and to lay them
down ON couches OF tOrments. We know how
much one loves W. when we are aware Of that which