The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-06-20
IN o,e-rullag Proridence.


sermons, had drawn together a oonsiderabl
crowd of auditors. Upon returning home, h
had just disrobcd himself in order to rest ate
bis extreme fatigue, when stranger was an
nounced, desirOus to see him. Taking time onl,
to change his dress, he at once presented him
self to the unknown visitor, whose manners an,
appearance denoted him to be an artisan.
"What do you wish, sirg" said the venerabl
speaker.
''To speak with you moment" replied tn
stranger in manner so agitated as at once t
arrest the attention ofFather Beauregard
''Most willingly" said the preacher. II an
ready TO listen. itdown."
81 have just heard your sermon" said the ar
tisan.
''Well am glad of it, for have said som,
things which should not be lost upon either 0
US"
''Ohl sir, you have certainly spoken beauti
fully. Nobody could have done hottor, Yor
have extolled the benefits of an overruling Prov
idence But sir, | do not believe in Providence
There IS no Providence forme Wait minute
and judge for yourself have wife and three
children. We are honest working people who
never wronged any one. Inquire about me in
my neighborhood, and everybody will tell you
that y. is an honest man, getting his living by
the sweat Of his brow; that he pays his debts;
that he does not drink; that he does not play;
and that he takes good care of his family"
81 can easily believe all this, my friend" in
terrupted Father Bauregard, much touched by
the heartfelt words of his visitor, "but to what
does all this lead, and what connection is there
between these details and your unbelief in Prov
idenceg'
"You shall hear: You see before you a man
resolved to throw himself in the river"
Good heavens" cried Father Beaurcgard
Justly alarmed at his acknowledgement God
preserve you from such fatal step You not
only kill body, hut you peril the salvation of
your soul. What has given rise to such dread
ful thoughtg'
"Sr, have Just met with heavy loss by the
failure ola debtor. / have liabilities which be-
come due on the 30th of this month, and can
not meet them 1t will be the first time my sig
nature has been dishonorcd, and cannot bear
the idea Of this disgrace. IL is after having in
vain solicited assistance from my friends, who
would be glad to help me il they could, that
determined to drown laysclfn
"But, my friend what will become of your
wife, who loves you, your children who need
you, IL you drown yourselfy' The poor mans
tears answered to these interrogatories, but he
replied, after moments pause. "Whcn am
dead, the world will take pity on them; cannot
live to sec them dishonorcd, to sec them bear the
burden of my shamea
"IIow was it, then, with such frightfh plan
as this in contemplation, you came to hear me
preachy'
sit was only by chance sir; hadno intention
ofdoing 50. was in the ncighborhood of the
church and noticed the crowd entering; mechan,
icaly, ash were, went in with the rest; asked
whowas going to preach; they told me celebrated
priest. 1 remained, and hoard you through: all
you said was very good, very fine, but it was
still in the dark could see no Providence for
me-"
"What, to hear my sermon, to como and see
me, to coniide in me, and yet in all this you do
not recognize a Providence"
Fora moment the man was silent, and then |
replied; 'Ttis strange, sir, very strange, still
see no way for me to pay my debts"
During this interview, the heart of the good
priest was deeply moved; he had heard the I'M
happy mans story, whose manners and language /
sufficiently attcsted its veracity. Without fur /
thcr investigation lre resolved at once to act in
his behalf
Listen my friend" said he to him. 81 be-
ievc you to be an honest man, unfortunate
through the agency ofothers, and wish to help
YOU out Of your trouble. How much money will
cover your debts? am notrich, still can con-
tribute something towards making up the
sam"
Oh sir, you arc to good Less than three
thousand francs will suffice me-"
Father Beauregard rose, opened his secretary,
md taking thercfom hundred louis, returned
10 the poor artisan, and said: my friend, here
arc hundred louis should not have been
,blc to have done this myself but few days
since the princess Clotilde, after having heard
me preach on Charity, sent mea large sum Of
money, begging me to use it for the benefit of
he unfortunate and to distribute it to any one
whom should Judge worthy Of assistance. 1t
las already done much good, softencd the ills Of
many; but my friend your visit here, at This
,ritical juncturc Of affairs, is inmy view stream
# light, upon The ways ofGod to man. Take
his money, pay your debts, and believe in an
,vcrruling Providence"
Full of surprise, and overwhelming gratitude,
he poor carpenter fell on his knees at the feet
# the good father; he couldnot speak word, but
aising his streaming eyes to heaven, in Ian
ruarc more powerful than words, expressed the
ov ofhis deiiycrance.
ABeaurc2ard was French Jesuit preacher,
yho died in Germany in 1904.
4 RAILROAD TRAM CHANGING EYGIEEs
yuEx At HEIGur OF SPEED.-The lightning
rain which carried the New York delegates
rom Detroit to Chicago, on MONDAY, says /