Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-04-02

ton, what could he do, if he spoke to him. |
point him to heaven awaiting him: According
he was silent and wept. ta-
: Calas, thanks to the perfect immobilitv of
Z I position, suffered less than at first He could n
see the window constantly, for fatigue forced hi
to let his head fall back, "his face upward;" as
sentence directed; but his features were again call
he prayed.
Twice had Father Catalogues again address
him, and twice had Father Bourges been obig'
to moderate the importunate zeal of his colleagrl
Catalogues was one of those priests who believe
the church more than in God, in the pardons
the church more than those of God. He aske
Calas neither to adjure nor to repent; if he Col
fessed,--no matter what,--that was all that wa
necessary. But Calas made no reply; he continue
to pray. He confessed to Him who is so grea
that ne knows all; all and so mighty that he ca
pardon all.
But from time to time the most agonizing pai,
interrupted his prayer. His features became con
tracted, and his eyes wild The body exercised it.
last right over the soul, and the soul murmured
that it could not yet be free
Once ne cried, consumed by a burning fever, his
eyes glazed and staring:
"What time is it?''
"My Brother" said Father Bourges, "you have
begun SO well, do not give way now Yes, it is
ong,-terribly long,-but eternity is far longer
apd eternity draws near,-it will soon be opened to
| you. In few hours, shall you remember little
more of little less suffering? No Do YOU ask
what time it isf 1t is the time to pray-the time
to offer to God,-if you are innocent"
| "Still J7' said Calas with reproachful look.
mo, not IT, resumed the priest. at is time to
offer to God, since you are innocent your suferngs
to cast yourself into his arms"
He stopped, as if alarmed at what he had Just
said A hereto received into the arms of God =
Was not the very thought itself heresy?
"Go on" said Calas, "your words do me good"
But he cast down his eyes and was silent He
was again the priest
"Yes," resumed Calas, "they do me good. |
asked what time it was, did not? / scarcely re-
collect suffered so much. But was wrong
was wrong,-it was murmur. God will forgive
me. o God, thy Son prayed that the bitter cup
might pass from him. But | did not pray-I muir
INJURED. Ah. l am punished. 1 asked the hour
hear it now
Two O'Clock struck from the tower Of neigh
boring church
Il hear it now, he continued. 81 thought had
but 8 little while vet to suffer. An hour yet-a
whole hour! But is it in reality but an hour since
! was placed here?"
Scarcely an hour said the priest
And as he spoke two o'clock sounded from an
other church.
Again. exclaimed Calas. "Well, II thank thee
God! There are many now in their grayes. who
would have been glad to be warned hour by hour
of the approach of their death. thank thee
God. But enable me at least to consecrate entire
y to thee that hour which thou dost still grant me
on earth. Let not pain take entire possession of if
and bewilder me, and shall feel that this time.
which my fellow men gave me from cruelty, thou
givest me from mercy"
Thus spoke and prayed Calas; and from that mo-
meut whether his suferings were really less acute,
or whether he had no more strength with which to
struggle against them his repose wos not again dis
turbed. Sometimes he was silent and his gaze was
fixed upon the heavens; sometimes, with his ewes
closed, he murmured long and fervent PRAYERS, and
then turning his head towards the window, he uni
ted his thoughts and petitions with those wSose
eyes he knew to be fixed upon him.
"Well my brother" said the priest at length, "is
your sacrifice now completes Is your resignation
entire and absolute?"
81 hope it is was the reply; al would willingly
be assured Of it."
"You may be-"
"How?"
Suppose you were suddenly told that you must
remain here two hours longer, what would you do"
Calas reflected moment
81 would submit" he replied.
"Entirely!"
entirely"
at is well, my brother. Thus God would have
you to feel The trial has brought forth its fruits
1t is now about to end"
1t was near its close, In fact The fire was light
ed, and Calas felt the cord move, which was around
his neck.
Then he turned towards the window The cur
tain moved. A hand, OF which the fingers alone
were visible prepared to draw it aside.
But suddenly the ladder leading to the scaffold
creaked hasty step was heard. Caas half turn
ed. 1t was the sheriff, pale, beside himself, abso-
lutey terrifying. He sprang towards the wheel,
thrust aside the priests, and with voice of thun-
der, cried
Unhappy wretch! the FIRE is prepared, "a few
moments more, and your body will be reduced to
ashes! In the name of God who is to Judge thee,
confess, confess"
The eyes Of the dying man sought the spot where
his heart was.
At the same moment, the cord was frightened
about his neck. A few seconds and he was no
more.
But the curtain had been half opened and he
bad again seen his pastor, with one hand on the
Bible and the other pointing to heaven The Priest
and the Hugueno
FAMILY Observation-Disclosures, says the excellent
Baxter, is never like to prosper, unless it be made
a family work II it be made the business of the
house, and done with reverent seriousness and con-
stancy, if magistracy and ministry should fall yet