The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-03-15

Enc roses, trust, W1u return 70 IN, 49, cnSoN,
q know not Francis, what may b His de-
signs for my future, but Often feel whsn leok-
time for such blessings 10 short, and that ere
very long, I shall joip our beloved empress IN
another home. All, it is hard to Leave You,
though know that wherever 60, shall never
for love is tho only link in our earthly chain
that We take with Us into Heaven
Alas! his own fear had bat too often, OF late,
gradual decay Of thiA, Ms ons tic 10 earth. This
IDOL, then, must be hurled frem ifs shrone md
broken to piecea % &hes . fragment shosAd.
- But o short period Of happiness, and falla-
cious hopes for that dear lfe-a period haught
with earnest work and noble deeds, in the home
of his fathers, had passed, when All these fears
were realized, and he knelt in silent agony by
the dying bed of his wi. Human grief and
Christian resignation fought desperately for
the victory, but faith conqueredi and as her
li0ht radiated and iNumined the face of the
dead. and the sacramental JUNCTION Of her last
words, "ive for God" sank deep into his SOUL
he rose strong and comforted, for he knew
henceforth, he walked not alone but an angel
repose of grief but set himself steadily to work
work for his children, for his people, for tho
Church of God. Wherever was want, there
sped his sympathy, and to the ignorant was
granted the blessing of knowledge. The new
order of the Society of Jesus had for some time
Attracted his attention, and after much study
through which his future calling was made
manifest, he resigned his title in favor of his
son Charles, laid down, without sigh, the
pra Of M the ss "
sway of worldly grandeur, this handsome In
heritor of q proud title and princely fortune,
was content to merge all IN the simple name of
Father Francis Borgia-his title, servant OF
Jesus; his honors, unending labOrs, poverty. and
the road of the cross.
Upon the other personages Of our story, had
likewise fallen the inevitable changes and
vicissitsdes of time, the "vanity of vanities"
that knows no distinction between prince and
peasant. To the great emperor, Charles v,
whose name was associated with all the wis
dom, power, and rank that o kingly ancestry
and unlimited sway can give-to him, too, came
the unsatished longing inseparable from a life
of mere worldly toll and honor. Failing, then,
through these, to attain that perennial peace
years gathered upon him, he laid down his
sceptre and his CROWN and sought for the peace
that passeth understanding, in the cowl and
missal of poor monk of tho order of ST. Je-
rome thus giving the remnant of life, great
in the worlds historic renown, to the future
service of God alone.
Francis, king of France, had exchanged his
earthly crown fer bis heritage in eternity; gone
down to the grave a weary AM. conscience
stricken votary of pleasures to which he had
sacrificed all the brilliant promise of an early
life, rich in talents and deeds of heroism, which,
if properly garnered, would have left his name
a synonyme of honor and glory.
To our beautiful princess Catherine, fell. also,
far more of the shadows than the sunbeams of
life. Sacrificed, for purposes of state, to an
unhappy marriage, an early death released her
from n life wherein her diadem pressed an
aching head, and her royal robes proved only
the covering of a sorrowful heart. Thus, to
the great, as we'll to the lowly, to the prince,
born in the purple, as to tne peasant clothed
in serge-to both alike, descends the inevitable
heritage of earthly Moe-death and the grave.
Dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt re-
turn" but the sorrows of life bear no proper
ton to the joys that are to come.