The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-09-03
The Pastor of st. Agathy.

Of the Departement DIES Deur .Sevrcs,
there existed in 1892 a little village Of
poor peasants, under the name and pat
ronage Of St. Agathy. 1t contained a
bout forty houses, which might more
properly be called huts, for their roofs
were composed of reeds and straw, and
their walls but a miserable union of
woodwork and clay. There lived here,
however,a "a community distinguished both
for simplicity of manners and frmness
of religious principle Its pastor had
taken his post here at the age Of twenty
FIVE, and had ever since shared the Joys
and sorrows Of his flock, living like
themselves in a miserable hut, satisfied
with the same meagre fare, and doing
lis duty in every respect with that faith
ful zeal which only deep inward piety
can stimulate. Thus he had spent fifty
years, and had won the hearts of all his
parishioners, who loved and reverenced
him as father. He had during this lime
declined all propositions for betering
his position; partly from love for those
under his charge, partly from fear that
no other pastor would remain long in
such poor parish: and therefore he be-
came old on the same spot, amid the
same poverty, doing all the good he
could in his narrow sphere, for which he
felt himself richly rewarded by the child
like love of his little flock.
As the French Revolution broke out,
the Pastor of 81. Agathy began to fear
that neither he, nor his little parish
would he spared from the al-vlsitng
storm. One day he received orders from
the chief place of the Department to
swear to what was then called the civil
of the clergy, or give up
Immediately his post and quit his parish,
The good man was SO little acquainted
with political matters, that he did not
at frs, know what was required of him
but as copy of the constitution accom-
panied the orders, he lost no time in
studying its contents, and came to the
conviction that he could neither ac-
knowledge nor swear to it. Still less
did he think himself bound TO obey or
ders by leaving the parish. lie con,in.
ued, therefore, to remain at St. Aga,hy,
and TO perform his clerical Offices as if
nothing uncommon had happened, be-
Iieving himself acting according to his
duty and conscience.
Meanwhile this measure,to which ma
ny other clergymen also refused to con-
form, beg an to create troubles, partic-
ularly in the Departments Of the West.
After the authorities had forcibly remov-
ed many of the opposing clergyman, the
disconienied parishes united themselves
in formal alliance, and prepared to de-
lend themselves by arms against all vio-
lence. Thus was developed by degrees
an insurrection, which from mere spark
became raging flame. The National
e. e n
things ordered out troops to restore tran
guilty wherever it was disturbed. Com
missaries were appointed, with full pow
ers. Such'a Commissary came to Mort,
the chief place of the Department in
which St. Agathy was situated.
This man was of a cruel nature, and
believed himself bound to act with sever.
i,y against all who resisted. He order
ed all insubordinate clergymen to be ta>
ken prisoners. putting a price upon the
head of such as could not be found
The pastor ofSt. Agathy could evident-
ly not escape the prosecution, and one
evening accordingly the news spread that
the next day a company of soldiers was
TO come from Mort, TO take him prison.
er. The Communal Council immedi-
ately assembled. OF resistance there
could be 10 question, as it would have
been useless. Yet the worthy pastor.
whose safety was the subject of univcr>
sal anxiety, could not be forsaken. 1t
was therefore resolved to bring him to a
place Of safety, which had already been
found out. lie opposed at first, and
SAID he would willingly endure whatev-
er Heaven ordained for him. He sul-
leered himself, however, finally 10 be
led by by his faithful parshioners to a
coal hut in the forest, where four armed
men remained with him, both 10 prevent
him from delivering himself up voun-
tariy, and to Gefend him in case of ne
cessily.
The following day, eighty soldiers,
with two cannon, made their appearance
at the village, to get possession of the
weak old man. The leader Of the
troop made the inhabitants acquainted
with the object Of his visit, and demand
ed Of them, in the name of the law, to
deliver up their pastor, without hesita-