The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-05-31

nave the whole field to work his plots to him
To be Continued
ST. JOHN AND TIE I0HHEK
After the death of our Divine Lord. tho
apostle st. John retired to Ephesus, where
he fixed his abode. While passing throusA
certain town in Asia, he observed, among
the crowd who were listening to his dis
course, young man of fair stature and pro-
possessing appearance for whom he CON-
ceived go deep an interest, that he con-
signed him to the especial care of the bishop
OF the place, saying: I'm the presence q
Christ, and before this congregation, ear
nestly recommend this young man to your
care" The bishop undertook the charge :
and in fulfillment of his promise took tho
young man into his own house, and in
of the love of God and, when he consideroa
him sufficiently prepared, he first baptized
and then confirmed him. Believing him "a
be now capable of self guidance, the bishop
relaxed his watchfulness over him, and Left
him more to his own devices, But The
was placed in him, and falling into tn
company of idle youths of his own age, was
induced to lead q dissipated and 1awlea
life until at length, despairing Of his sal-
Walton, he set no bounds to his excuses.
but gloried in SURPRISING all his companies
most reckless and abandoned among thcza.
he became u protested bandit, and was rb-
nowned for his violence and cruelty. Soma
time afterward,- St. John again passed.
through the same town and after other af.
fairs were concluded, he said to the b;shoDe-
" Restore me that which Jesus Christ and \
committed to your keeping in presence If
the Church." The bishop at first thou0hH
the apostles inquiry had reference to soIo@
money which had been entrusted to him.
a nd GDf Vnoo &<N1 H.
til st. John added: "Give me back ~,
young man whom l solemnly delivered to
your charge: it is his soul l ask of you.r
Then the bishop, with downcast eyes and
is dead"
he die 7" inquired the apostle.
"He is dead to God, replied the bishops
i" he is a profigate, an outcast, u robber
he has forsaken the Church, and taken to
the mountain with companions as wicked
as himself."e
garments, uttered an exceeding bitter cryS
and striking his hand upon his brow,
" Truly" he exclaimed, a trusty guardian
have l provided for the soul Ofmy brother ~
Then, calling instantly for a horse and y
guide, he rode away, attired as he was, to
the haunt of the robbers, when he was
seized by the sentine]s, who were struck
with establishment when, instead of attempt
ing to fly, or begging for his life, he cried:
" 1t is for this that l am come lead me to
your captain" No sooner, however, did
the young man recognize the apostle than
he fled from his face with shame and con-
fusion. UnmiHdful of his age and infirmi-
ties, the saint pursued him, crying after him
again and again My son, why do you fy7
Why fly from your father, a helpless
Fear nothing, o my child! There is yet
place for repentance; there is yet hope of
will answer for you to Jesus
Christ; | will willingly give my life for You,
as He gave His for all. Only come back
it is Jesus Christ who sends me to you.o
Hearing himself thus addressed the
young man stood still, with his eyes fixed
on the ground; then throwing away his
arms, he trembled, and burst into tears.
When the apostle came up, the penitent
threw himself at his feet, imploring for.
giveness; hiding, however, his right hand,
sullicd with so many crimes. ST. John, with
wonderful condescension and tenderness,
fell on his knees before him, kissed the hand
which the other still endeavOred to conceal,
assured him again and again OF the Divine
pardon, and, earnestly praying for him, led
him, as in triumph, into the Church. For
his sake he tarried some time in the place,
praying and fasting with him and for him
comforting him with marks of sweet alice
tion.and encouraging him with most affect
ing words of sacred Scripture. Nor did no
leave him until he had restored him to the
communion of the Church, and to the par
ticipation of the Holy Sacrament.
Do not Sdespise little things, considering
how incapable you are of doing greater