The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-09-07
tFron, the Catholic World.}
A N G E L A
TRANSLATED PROM TItx GERMAN OF
CONRAD Won LANDEN.
CHAPTER VI.
Tic Clramoatans Uay Of Thinking.
fContinuedN

tContDued)
Frank visited daily, and sometimes twice q
day. the siegwart family; he was always TO.
an intimate friend. The family spirit unfold
cd itself clearer aud clearer to His view. He
found that every thing in that house was per-
out any design or naughty piety:. The asses.
sor was destined tn receive striking proof of
this
ward The family were at tea. The Assessor
Won Hamm entered, dressed entirely in black
even the rod ribbon Yas wanting in the but
ton.hoIe.
that has overtaken you,S said be after a very
formal reception. 81 obey the impulse of my
heart when ! express my sincere sympathy in
the great afiiiction You have suffered in the
death Of the dear little Eliza"
The tears came into the eyes Of Madame
Siegwart. Angela looked straight before her,
as # to avoid the glance of the assessor.
ed the proprietor. ave were severely tired,
but we are reasonable enough to know that our
family cannot be exempted from the Affections
of human life."
Hamm sat down, q cup was set before him,
and Angela poured him out o cup Of fragrant
tea. The assessor acknowledged this service
with his sweetest smile, and the most Obliged
You are right" he then said. "No one is
exempt from the stroke OF fate. Man must
submit to the unavoidable. To the ancients,
blind fate was terrific and frightful. The pre-
sent enlightenment submits with resigna-
ton.H
liza bomb had plunged into the room and
exploded upon the table, it could not have
produced greater confusion than these words
of the assessor. Madame Siegwart looked at
him with establishment and shook her head.
The proprietor, embarrassed, slipped his tea.
Angeia's blooming cheeks lost their color.
Hamm did not even perceive the effect OF his
fatal words, and Frank was scarcely able
to hide his secret pleasure MT Hamm's sad mis-
hap; nou 40 CO.. No Hind unavoidable
destiny" said Siegwart, who could not forgive
the assessor his unchristian sentiment. But
we know o divine providence, an all-powerfol
will, without whose consent the sparrow does
not fall from the house-top. We believe in Q
our heads, and whose counsels rule our de-
sttny."
Hamm smiled.
vine providence, or rather God, has aimed that
"Yes 80 believe"
pardon me. / think you Judge too hard OF
God. 1t is inconsistent with his paternal
goodness TO afiiot your beloved child with
snch misfortune"
Eliza's death ia Q misfortune. Perhaps heI
early departure from this world is precisely
her happiness; and then We must reflect that
GOD ie master of life and death. 1t ia not fol
us to call the Almighty TO account, even if bis
divine ordinances should be counter to ouI
wishe0."
i respect your religious COnNlcLlOu6, 11OEL
Sierwart. Permit me, however, to observe
that God Is much too exalted to have an eye to
ali human trifles. lie simply created the ma
tural law; this he leaves to its course. All
the elements must obey these laws. Every
creature is subject to them and when Eliza
died, she died In consequence of the course of
these laws, but not through Gods express
will. Do you not think that this view of our
misfortunes reconciles us with the conceptions
we have of Gods goodness Z"
"No; do not believe 1t, because such q
view contradicts the Christian faith" replied
SieEwart earnestly, "What kind of God,
what kind of Father would he DO who would
let every thing go rs it might He would be
less q father than the poorest laborer who sup
ports his family in the sweat of his brow"
"And the whole army of misfortunes that
daily overtake the human family Does this
army await the ceulmand of God "
DO not forget, Herr Assessor, that the
most of these misfortunes are deserved
brought on by our aims and passions. II ex.
cessee would cease, how many sources of
nameless calamities would disappear! For
the rest, it ia my firm conviction that nothing
happens OF can happen in the whole univerae
without the express will of God, or OF least by
his permission"
The official shook his head.
This question is evidently of great import
apce to every man." said Frank. =" Man is of |
ten not master of tho courSe Of his life; for il
Is developed by chain of circumstances, aoci- |
,5anfa and nroY ideuCiaI interferenoen that ara \