Description

Published 1901: First St. Paul's Library Edition / Hardcover / Very Good Condition / Illustrated throughout

Original black cloth with gilt titles on the spine. 611 very clean and bright pages, separation showing on inner hinges could be readdressed with some glue, text block not affected. Boards are slightly rubbed with time, bumped on the corners and frayed along the spine tips and edge consistent with age but they remain firm and intact. A very scarce original publication. (GT601)

Postage €6.95 including any additional books ordered.
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Contains a collection of sermons and discourses by Reverend John McGuirk.

The book explores various topics related to religion and spirituality, making it a valuable addition to any collection of antiquarian and collectable books. [Google Books]

New York Times - the article in its original context from, December 14, 1901

It will be a relief to many to find the printed sermons and discourses of a Roman Catholic clergyman, which, while more or less doctrinal, are far from being devoid of general and human interest, and which withal may be taken as suggestive and even inspiring rules of conduct by persons who, while having no particular belief, would nevertheless, live the lives of honest upright citizens and charitable neighbours. Such a collection is offered by the second volume of "Sermons and Discourses by the Rev. Dr. McQuirk. And the illustrations of the volume drawn from the paintings of the masters give a poetic and artistic value to the text which it might not otherwise possess.

Although such topics are discussed entirely from a churchman's point of view, as "God's Calls to Repentance," "On the Duty of Confession," "The Unity of the Church," "The Divinity of Jesus Christ," "The Resurrection of Jesus Christ," &c we also have The Vanity-of-the World," "The Sacrament of Matrimony," which cannot fail to be of general interest, while the discourse on "The Infallibility of the Pope" contains much information which will enlighten Protestants as well as agnostics upon a certain important yet little understood, claim of the Roman Catholic Church of the Twentieth Century. Concerning this subject Dr. McQuirk boldly writes:

Papal infallibility does not imply the sin-liness of the Pope. It is a gift which belongs to him, not in his personal, but in his official character as the head of the Church and universal teacher of the faithful. As the infallibility of the Church does not extend beyond matters of faith and morals, and what has a necessary connection therewith, so the infallibility of the head of the Church goes not beyond the same limits. It is not claimed that his infallibility is the result of any inspiration or special illumination. It is the ordering of Divine Providence over him in his teaching capacity guarding him against error, and insuring to him knowledge of the truth. This does not mean that he receives any new revelation. All truth necessary for the enlightenment and redemption of the world was once delivered to the apostles; hence there is no need of any further revelation.

And again, still more to the point, he writes:

We dismiss, as unworthy of our attention, what is sometimes urged from the exceptional character or morals of some of the Popes. It should be unnecessary to remind any intelligent person that such objections can in no wise militate against their official acts and utterances. If these depended for their value upon private integrity there would have been long ago an end to all authority and law and justice in the State, no less than in the Church.

SERMONS AND DISCOURSES. By the Rev. Dr. John McQuirk. Vol. II. Pp. 612. Illustrated. New York: St. Paul's Library.

https://www.nytimes.com/1901/12/14/archives/sermons-dogmatic-and-popular.html