The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-05-10
Anecdotes of an Eccentric Preacher.

Father Andre holds a distinguished place among
those original preachers, whose sermons are season
ed with bon aaotS and ingenious saliles. He generally
mingled pleasantly with instruction in order to
terrain his hearers. His family name was Boullan-
ger. He was born at Paris in 1882, of the
order OF reformed AugustlneS,. and died IN 1867.
Some anecdotes will serve to illustrate at once the
sngularlty of the man, and the license of the times.
Once while he was preaching in country church,
dpsck Of cards teW out Of has steeue andtell among
the audience. Every one began laughing. The
preacher, without being in the least disconnected,
called on the larger children that happened to be
there to collect them together; and as they brought
them inquired h0opthe different cards We're called.
The answers were all promptly given. He then put
some questions out Of has catechism, which, however,
they were Unable to reply to. Then addressing the
fathers and mothers is il thus said he, you
neglect the education of your children You inlro-
duce them into the vanities of life and by crimi-
nal carelessness permit them to lose their immortal
souls The impression produced was powerful,
and every perceived that the cards brought
purpOseIy to introduce this pathetic appeal
Declalming the same day against tie gallantry of
ladies', whose manners al that time We're very cor
rrpt, he said there one in the congregation
whose licentiousness known to him, and that
he was going to point her out, that she might be
covered with confusion for her SINS. = But no,
said he checking himself, 8 will not blame her
christian charity torbds. And yet, shall compro-
mise vice. No. What then shall do to remove
leaihen cap which was worn in his day. As he
said this, he suddenly raised as if aboutto throw,
and added Look look there she is just there ~
Ali the women in front of the pulpit lodged 10 es-
cape the threatened blows, when the preacher cried
out, - Goodness! | thought there was only one,
and there are more than hundred!''
Being requested to announce subscription in
order to raise sufficient sum to procure the nita
ton of a young woman into sisterhood, which
was then required of females taking the veil, he
commenced his sermon, Sirs, am instructed to
recommend to your charity maiden who has not
cash enough to take the vows of poverty"
The acelious monk once began a sermon with,
S1he pope is grass, the king is grass, the queen is
grass monsieur is grass, the cardinal is grass, you
are grass, am grass, all flesh is grass!'
Preaching in monastery which had recently
been struck with lightning, Father Andre expatal-
ed upon the goodness of God, who took as he would
show, special care of his children. " For,'' said he
among other evidences, consider what has hap
pened to this holy house in which am preaching.
The lightning struck the library and consumed it,
but in jared not single monk. IT, however, it had
unfortunately fallen upon the dining room OF but
tern, how many brethren would have been killed
how MANY tears shed what desoation would have
ensued! Thanks, O my God eternal thanks for
the regard which thou dost show to thy elect"