THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 911, 31 January 1882, Page 3

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Mass was celebrated- in the above church last Sunday at 8.30 and 10,10. a.in. At (he end of the second mass, the Right Rev Dr Redwood, Roman Bishop of the Diocese, administered the Sicrament of Confirmation to about 20 chilclren, after having preached a most eloquent and impressive sermon, explanatory of the sacrament, taking his text from the Bth Chapter of the Acts of the .Apostles* verses. 14 and 17. In the evening after vespers he again preached on faith, taking his text from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews, Chapter 9. In the space at our disposal we cannot give more than a mere outline of one of the most louical, and eloquent sermons we have ever heard. His Lordship commenced his sermon by instancing the words used by our Lord Jesus Christ, when in,the ship in (he tempest. “ Why are ye so fearful, O. ye of little faith?’ and reminded his hearers that a lively faith was necessary for them to go through the storm s and tempests of this world. There were two kinds of taiih, the natural, and supernatural. • Natural faith was a belief, founded on the testimon} 7 of men, in the existence of natural objects, withou r ever having actually seen thorn. As an instance few, if any, present had seen the city of Pekin, yet all of them believed in its existence. Supernatural faith was a belief in the existence of God. It was supernatural virtue, because it was the gift of God, and could only come from God. One error with regard to faith was that it was a degradation to our intelle"t because the existence of the supernatural could net be proved by reason. There were a groat many truths which could never be proved by the light of reason. It could naver be shown by the light of reason, where man came from, what he is, what is to become of him, and if an intermediary could be found that would explain these mysteries ought it not to be welcomed with delight. That intermediary was faith. It was the demonstration of things we know but cannot see. Faith is no degradation to the intellect. As it is an instrument which reveals to it things that cannot be seen, A leL’scope revealed to the human eye the Heavenly bodies, a microscope the minutest objects, and what would be thought of the man who would break these instruments on the plea that they were a degradation of the human eye. It was the same with faith. It extended the light of the intellect, and gave it immense power; Some hole that to lead a good life and be guided by reason was sufficient but this was contradicted byJpsus Christ when he said “Go ye and pi each to all nations. He that believeth not shall bebe condemned. He that believeth ■shall be saved.” Some held that faith alone was neccessary unto salvation, bub St James said that “ Faith, without good works, is death.” “ Believe in (he Lord Jesus Christ and you are saved,” was to be found in the Scriptures, hut there were many passages also which showed that that was not sufficient A man may have a very lively faith and still be steeped in sin. Charity was sufficient unto salvation, because that embraced faith and hope and the keeping of the commandments. He had now to congratulate the people on the church they had built. It was a glorious monument of their faith. He had spoken in London of the manner in which they had carted the stones which went to build the Church, and it was received with great approbation. He thanked them most cordially for what they had dene and exhorted them to build up now the temples of their souls. On the previous day he had consecrated their beautiful peal of bells, and he hoped that every time they 'heard them they would remind them of the goodness and mercy of God, and inspire them with renewed faith. This being his Lordship’s farst visit to the parish since his return from Rome he gave the congregation the Popes blessing, stating that he bad been commissioned to do so .. by His Holiness the Pope, A great many came out from Timaru to be present at the ceremonies, and the Church was filled on ; each occasion many members of the various other churches being present. A few of i the Timaru choir assisted the Temuka ; choir and, considering they had no prac-

tice together, the singing was very good, especially the solos of a Timaru young I lady.