The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-10-17

.>'to-faorrow morning we bear you child to her
untimely grave"
That night again the priest aud the general
watched beside the dead, conversing in low
but earnest tones. Father Paul told the
simple story of the outcasts, and how that
after Monna's death her child dropped SO that
thinkInS n change of scene might be beneficial
TO her, he persuaded her to accompany some
Catholic ladies to Paris, where she had finally
entered into the holy order of the Sisters of
the Poor, and was beloved by all till the fatal
morning which dealt her death blow.
Then the good priest turned to the general
as 1T to hear his account of his life since his
marriage. The general had heard of poor
Monna's death through his brother, who
occasionally called ON Miss Thornton to inquire
after her former inmates, in whom he ever felt
an interest
Yet, general" reioined Father Paul, "life
married beautiful woman who has brought
you fine fortune, and you have attained high
military rank"
N" All, if you could see my heart ~ cried the
general.
~ understand quietly said the priest"
fte world has given you all 1t can but yet
something is wanting: 1t cannot give the
peace of God, which passeth all understand
lng,' and without which all is but earthly
dross; Speaks m confidence speak, for. none
but the dead are inenr."
The general had ordered that ne eeSpense
sh9nld Pc spsl1cd iH the a1EaiieaEsaeisk "a the
The coffin was placed on raised platform
covered with velvet, i'll the middle of the room,
while numerous wax taPers shed their ceHcen-
trated light on the tender hues of the flowers
strcwed around. The saloon was vast, but it
was in distant, darkened corner that the two
men thus strangely thrown together sat and
converted during that drcaFy watch.
"Ah, Father Paul. said the general, ''indeed
l would, but pardon the hesitation of prejudice,
for alas I have been accustomed to think
| those of your persuasion idolaterS."
a Nf Al .l1ts.l fln la.
on the good priests lip; he only quietly
replied:
Did you ever let your mind wander the
! subject OF the origin OF idolatryR Allow me
at all events to read you passage ont of
| Genesis" and, taking out small Bible from
| his pocket, Father Paul read the following
| verses:
Aud Jacob awaked out of his sleep; and
he said Surely the Lord is in this place; and
! | knew it not And he was afraid and said
| How dreadful is this place This is no other
| but the house of God, and this is the gate of
I heaven.
49, And Jacob rose mp early in the morning,
! and took the stone that he had pnt for his
ptiiuw, and set it MP for pillar, aud poured
! oil upon tho top Of it,
| "Now it has always 0strucll me that the
respect with which Jacob naturally regarded
this stone might have bCr-rT ffI-fr presented
| the neig hboring people, who mistuok the hoUst
of God for God Himself and. seeing the pillar
raised and thus anointod, fell down before it
| in foolish worship
" Is this tho doctrine of your Church p
asked the general.
''By no 9eans, it is my own private con
jectnre, which, never Thought of inparting
! To anyone ,hctore Yourself, and which, perhaps
| was elected l,y your Charge OF IdOIafTy. How
| ever, the tradition OF Jacobs dream must have
| been in great force during those times, for
even to this day pour OIL on the stones OF
! our affairs when consecratD our churches,
! in memory OF Bethel. But l Ought not to hny,
! passed over the twelfth verse. And lac dream
/ c1, and beheld II ladder set mp on the earth
| aud the top of it reached to heaven, and brhcld
| the Angels of God ascending and descending
| on it.
We'll. and how do you interpret that p
| inquired the general, interested now in the
| discussion.
| Why, that the saints and the angels are
constantly ascending and descending from
| heaven many celestial but unseen mes
| sengers. And that we are empowered to charge
! them with prayers and messages to our EterBa
! Father, from whose presence we are eNiled il
| this dark vale of sin and death. This chain
| or celestial ladder may call the 'Commu union
| of Saints which article of faith you repeat il
| the Apostles Creed, even in your churches
without attaching any definite meaning to it
whilst Gotten earnestly call to our companions
on the other side of the grave without even
needing your charge of idolatry. We rcNerGh
the saints, and strive humbly, and ought 70
strive to follow their example,
- But Why" interrupted the general, edo yor
ascri5e miraculous ares to thcmE?
" Because we put more faith in the spirits
of just men made perfect than in mere
medical science, which from its high price il
often quite inaccesaible to tho poor. In my
turn, / ask, why do you+init the-aatian-- OF
! Infinite Mercy God is respecter of per
! sons, and think You he will turn a deaf ear
to the cries of the poor wretch racked with
pain, and not send one of His angels with
fhcaling on his wings 2 The evidence is the
cure PerchaHce You may retoFt my own words
upon me, and as / surmise that the house oil
Cod or the altar of Bethel, was in ancient
times mistaken for God HIMSELF so you may
say we mistake the servants of God, or the
blessed Saints, for the Deity, rendering IL
them the worship due to Him alone"
"No, / cannot look upon you an id0iateF,
gliJiaGG tic general. 80,
"Maybe you would say, like the French fabu,