The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-07-05
CHATTER 1x.-coNcLusIoN.

CHATTER 1X.-CONCLCSION. o..
Again the glorious June roses gladdened tn
earth; again came the might 81 their lowell
ness, and the perfume of their breath in ioyfu
greeting to her who but year gone, had haile
their presence with delight but neither thei
beauty nor their fragrance could elicit one lool
Of admiration, one throb of pleasure from tina
now slowly beating heart. At length the fear
full hour of dissolution had arrived and Mrs
Stewart lay painting in her death agony, in full
consciousness of her state. She tossed rcstlessl.
from side to side, crying, from time to time, il
piteous tones: "Oh, Jesus"' Lost! lost =
"Who will save me 7" until one of her friends
impelled by an agony of terror too great t.
bear, left the room and went in search of Mrs
Field in hopes that her words or prayers might
sOOthe this distracted soul. This lady felt that
she had no right to refuse the appeal, but sh,
went reluctantly; for what her cntreaties hat
failed to accomplish under more propitious cir
cumstances, she knew could scarcely be real
lied now. Still, with an earnest PRAYER, SHE
approached the bed and said
Mrs. Stewart, will you let ME read some OF
the old, familiar prayers to yous Will you now
ere too late, consent to see the bishopf But
she only received for reply: I" 1t is too late
the powers of hell are around me, and ar
lost, lost"
In vain Mrs. Field spoke to her of the infinite
mercies of God-of the power wrought by the
Last appeal of the dying thief; in vain she
urged her to make only one act of contriton
one act of the love Of God. To all she received
with suspended agitation, she left the room
and went, like the wind, for the bishop, trust
ing that he might be able to save her ere too
late. Arrived at the house, she stated breath
lessly her GRAND, and entreated him to lose no
time in coming to the aid of the perishing soul
cannot, my child, !" said the bishop, am
grieved to say, comply With your pious wish
sent you for me. have never forgotten the
scene of her sisters death-bed, though SO many
years have passed and can never again sub
ject my ministratiOns my own person to the
insult that met me OH that occasion. If you can
send me even one word of encouragement from
either party empowered to call me, will gladl!
go. But alas my child, after all the frutles
efforts that have been made, fear that he
poor soul has lost the only chance for externa
reunion with the Church. For the rest, W.
the searcher of the heart and reins.' I will
however, await here in prayer for any message
of the least encouragement that you can send
me-"
Mrs. Field hurried back, but found Mrs
Stewart too far gone for further words, per
| ceiving at glance that ere a messenger could
go and return from the bishop, her soul would
! have gone to it's final account.
The day was beginning to wane, and gather
ing clouds had added to the already darkenet
room sombre shadows like the fitting of NOV
| ing lights. The dying woman still tossed hel
arms wildly about, as if striving to graspstht
| air; and through tie deep silence of the room
and between the ominous death rattle, rang the
| an expression of the most woful agony ant
narrowing fear convulsed her livid face, from
which was now gone all the placid beauty fol
which 1t had once been 80 nlucn admired.
| Mr. Stewart knelt at the foot of the bed, hit
| face buried in the covering, and his whole
| frame shaking with an agony that seemed one
more of terror than of grief. Darker grew the
| full sound of the deatl.-:attIe filed the room
| and the once beautiful eyes became fixed, as il
| beholding some phantom of terror.
The ladies kneeing about the chamber in
| voluntarily closed their own, and sank theil
faces their folded hrII1ts silent prayer
when suddenly one wild, convulsive cry d
| " ooh, Jesusw broke the spell, and sent n thrill
of horror through each soul. Looking up, they
saw that Nellie Stewart had uttered her last
Words and had gone far, far beyond the power
of all mortal aid. There, before the throne OF
| God we leave her soul, for no finite judgment
dare thrust itself between Him and the Sou
| which awaits his infinite decree.
"Never, never" said lady who had witnessed
this scene, lean forget the fearful impressions
| of those moments Day and night for weeks ha'
that agonized face and those desPairing words
haunted my bfain, and ! feel that 1 have
realized only too truly what it is to be aban
| doned of God in the fearful hour of DEATH"
| For many DAYS Mrs. Field could not rally from
| the same influence, and her tender conscience
| furnished her with occasions of reproach TO
emit efforts to recall Mrs. Stewart back to tn
saving power of her carly faith Her husband
| combated these scruples, and finally consolet
her by announcing, to her great surprise, tn
of which he had been pursuing without he
4 knowledge for several months, making himsel
perfectly familiar with every phase Of Cathoh
doctrine.
az have you, Ella he said, d" under God, t
\ thank for this great grace 1t was your firm
j ness, your heroic courage in clinging, throug
even your deepest love and strongest interest
, to your creed that first led me to believe tina
there must be some absorbing attraction, som
vital principle of more binding force than ex
lists among the Protestant sects. They ca
change their form of worship as easily thei
| gloves, and neither ministers nor the laity hav
any hesitation in partakiug of the services q
communion in churches of the most opposit
Q tenets, should their own doors by any chanc
be closed. My inquiries, my conversation
r with Father b have all resulted to my flu
4 and perfect satisfaction. SO, henceforth, IN
dear love- nothing can divide u.s. and the OH
: golden link which has been the only thin
1 wanting to perfect our union, now gathers u
t the broken chain of our joys and sorrows, al
9 YIELDS them into one strong bond which deaf
, lnl.,.