The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-08-02

!" AcI,,LI.E DE BEAUMONT" 81
concluded next week. IL
CATHOLIC SOLDIERS IN THE PRussIAH AMY g
Truly, we are often called upon to witness O
strange contrasts-humiliatin contradlc- S
tons. Countries professedly Catholic 8
such as France, Austria, and ltaly-fre- I
ouently throw obstacles in the Church's t
way, as if with the design of neutrallzing d
her holy mission of evangelizing the world; .
while Protestant countries-such as Hol- 7
land, Prussia, and Geneva-are willing IN {
strumeuts in Gods hands in paving the
wav to a return to the centre of unity. The
following striking particulars we gather
from the correspondence Of the Messenger
the Sacred Heart:
(ur readers know already how the Cath
Ollie soldiers of the Prussian army were, In
the late wars we'll provided by the govern
ment with chaplains, and the regard with
which the latter were treated by the nl'h-
tary authorities. There was, III ..s! "
striking contrast with the Catholc Austrian
government who refused and even treate9
With contempt a similar assistance asked
by the Catholic men OF then army. lou
may ask says writer Ill this connection,
:. what are the fruits which the presence .!
t 4 priest in the army has produced !! Flrst
lev r. me say a word of the disposition of the
soldiers. 1t has been said, and many times
repeated, that there can he nothing more
beautiful than the bearing of the Catholic
Prussian soldier. Always. and in every
place. fearless OF human respect and faith
full to the lessons of youth, he has shown
;, himself to be. as he really is, deeply pene-
trated with religious feeling. And al these
!, ried to the help of their country had APP
preached the holy sacraments before their
y departure All desired to be clad in the
1t sacred livery of the Blessed Virgin. such as
: scapulars, medals, and beads, which many
l. amongst them wore outside their uniform.
10 Though they had already been reconciled
. with their God, yet, so soon as these de,
l. vout soldiers arrived ut Dresden anu
N wartzburg, they hurried at once to the
re churches and eagerly sought for priests to
20 whom they might make their confession
lg AS their number was very great, they were
rs obliged to go out into the streets, where
Ell casting themselves on their knees on tht
n flags, or in the very mire, and rivaling ONT
lis another to get nearest to the feet of tin
~ first priest who came up, they made the!
ao confession in the open air, In a 'puoh
ne place, and in the broad light OF the day
lls Having done so, they arose full OF JOY
on ishment. Enter a church at any hour
lily the day, and you were sure to find soldier
lie kneeling with great recollection, and dc
pc voutly telling their beads. No mass wa
os- celebrated at which some OF them olo NJ
ter communicate; and on Sundays anu noi
ID DAYS the number of those who approache
ote the holy table was beyond calculation.
I'm Bohemia, especially, the truly admirab
nv behavior of the Catholic troops has mac
n lasting impression on the minds OF Il
s. people. Often were they heard to exc!aln
uc off piety weighs anything in the scales
of fortune, these strangers may be sure TO y
no. their efforts crowned with success" Cat
of olics and Protestants alike have admir-.
the their ardent piety and in justice to Il
Use, latter we must observe, that, so tar fro
he interfering with their Catholic brethren
to the exercise of their religion, they, on
ent contrary, showed them every marx Oh KIN
ind ness. Thus for instance, on the day OF Z
the battle of Sadowa, and but a few momer
ice, previous to that bloody combat, CaIho
,me CHAPLAIN DESTROYS of addressing a few wol
to to his soldiers, asked permission OF t
he, captain, who happened to be Lutherf
nee The latter Immediately called out, with
the force of his strong lungs: Catho
;r;ts soldiers. out of the ranks-your chapls
Her wishes to speak to yout and at once TIT
that pious heroes came forward and form
.rior into semi circle, many files deep, In ore
nuId to hear the last words which their prl
> of was about to address to them. The pre-
rifle in order to be more easily heard, hau
aver on horseback, and from this novel pun
had he smoke to them as follows: " Soldiers
wed Jesus Christ, q few moments more, ana
med battle will begin! More than one OF yo'
life !; now perhaps near his last n ouleh.! r.
, be- Won ready now to appear before your G'
nps if YOU have still some faults to repro
into kyourselyes with, have confidence; Ior'
or to virtue of the Divine power whlch
each Church has entrusted to me, can GU