The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-08-29

nificantIy to a cruciix that was suspended
at the head of the couch. The Chevalier, I'M
Outstanding him, detached it from the fasten-
ings, gave it to him, and retired
The good Father waited till the first burst of
feeling had subsidized for convulsive sobs
choked his utterance and his whole frame
Quivered with emotion.
'Son," said the priest "loolS upon this image
of your cruci6ed God-sacrificed for you he
now demands sacrifice in return. Do you
refuse ~
"No, father" replied Epstache, ellis will be
done, and my Legitimate grief shall bear holy
fruits. l will sanctify these emotions to her
memory; and l vow at your feet, and before
this blessed image of my Redeemer, to conquer
this vain hope of earthly bliss, and to devote
myself in future to deeds of disinterestedness
and generosity"
CHAPTER VIZ.
n week subsequent to the events related in
tire last chapter, the pealing of the bells of the
Cathedral dc 49,, and the full swell of the
organ announced that some ceremony of anu
sual solemnity was about to TAX place. jose
phine de Tonty was to make her religious pro-
fession. She was about to renonnce the
world with all it's ponlps, its vanities, its in
trigues, the family and all its hottest ties; and
i'll lieu of these the humble Sister of Charity
would receive her simple habit, the cross, and
the institutes of her order.
Father Gabrielle assisted tho officiating
bishop, and when the last VOWS were pro-
nounced, when she was sealed with the divine
signet as the bride of Heaven, ''As one who
Will follow the Lamb whithersoevor he goeth,G
the good Father assembled the steps of the all
tar and addressed the hearers " NAG All
With great yigor of dalincatiou, he brought
ont the beautffal completeness of the religious
life. Then turning to the humble Sister, who
yet kuelt surrounded by her young compan-
ions he spoke to her Of the high obligations
which she had contracted of spreading on
earth the Heavenly commandments of Danish
ing from the world inhumanty, ferocity and
i'm pety; of tanning the cruel aud instrncting
tho ignorant.
AT" said he, 'the world could appreciate
! yOuT conduct. it would proclaim your actions
as heroie,-sHBlime. But these vain praises are
! only inNeated,by human pride. l cannot law
| ish them upon You. l can only say, Daughter,
| glorify God who has enlightened you, and may
he keep yOu humble in your own eyes, for
! without humility and submission even virtue
cannot be Pructiced.' You have chosen n bold
| and arduous path. In the tangled forests OF
| the New World we will find no temples no
| affairs but God will not abandon us-he will
allow us to found there monuments in every
way worthy of the grandeur of his name; we
will sanctfy with the voice of prayer the
course of the mighty rivers, the ripples of the
vast lakes, and the clashing of the majestic
| branches of the trees will accompany our
hymns of praise. We will there practice our
faith in ali its sublimity. There we will teach
humility and selfsacrifice to the red men OF
the desert will teach tfefst that the height
| of true piety is but the enthusiasm of reason
| it Is useful IN its motives, generous in its ar
dor, just and moderate i'll all its principles.'
As the ceremonies closed, the bevy- of girls
| that surrounded Josephine drew near to give
| her the kiss of peace. The organ ceased to
Vibrate, the lights were distinguished one by
one on the altar, and she was left with the
stern duties, the practical realities, of her new
! life. Yet there was no CLEAN of regret OH EeI
fair brow for the world she had left -aiIt a ray
of perfect bliss seemed to illuminate the up
turned gaze.
/ Aa- the trncesson filed from the church. tho
| figure of a chevalier might have been observed
kneeling behind one of the massive columns
Although his face was partially muffled in one
of the quantity cut cloaks worn by the gentle
mon of that period, it was easy to recognize
Eustache de Brennan.
CHAPTER IX.
| 1t was about the 14th of July when the little
fleet of the Gheyalicr Robert de La Sale sci
! sail from La Rochelle. 1t consisted of three
| ships and about two hundred and eighty men
! The vessel under the immediate command OF
the Chevalier de Tonty contained one priest
| Father Gabrielle, and three Sisters of Charity
Josephine was one among the number.
| La Sale was accompanied by Eustache DE-
Brennan, rs his secretary. His recent disaP
! pointuent had animated rather than abateC
| his courage and zeal The chastened expres
sion OIL his noble countenance proved that dis
| appointment had thrown its darkening shad
Ow only to refine and lend dignity to tbs
sufferer.
He followed on in this expedition, where
| Others went to achieve conquests. For him
| the great conquest was achieved-he had con
quered self. He had realized in the very prime
| of life that earthly happiness is too precious O
| boon to bewithin the grasp of mortal power
| He felt truly, when he commenced his wander
! ings, when the future spread before him hel
uninvitiDg realities, that henceforward his
| watchword must be ''Vincere est vivere." He
now enjoyed the beauties of nature with 8
keener zest. The sea became n new source o.
/ pleasure-he would stand for hours on the
deck contemplating the sky above, and the
! immeasurabfe depths of the waters below. Al
these moments his soul seemed relieved Of
every weight and care, he enjoyed that dc
! lightful calm which is ever tho reward of viz
tue, After prosperous voyage the feet an
| chored at Quebec about the 18th of September
They recruited there for some days, and ther
proceeded on their Journey.
We will not attempt to follow them in thcil
! long and perifous journey to the mouths of the