The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-12-05

the Virgin had recovered it's serenity. After
this, the vision melted away.
CONTRADICTIONS AND PROSECUTIONS.


CONTRADICTIONS AND PROSECUTIONS.
Disbolical malice, in league with human
ignorance or human passions, never suffers the
works of God to be accomplished without re-
sistance. The marvellous outbreak Of heavenly
power at Lourdes, which was preparing
plentiful harvest-time for the glory of God
and the salvation of souls, was very soon the
object of insdious opposition, distorted
misconstruction.
With some the cry was superstition, decep-
ton, lunacy. "This little girl has lost her
wits; she should be put under lock and key
Others muttered imposition, trickery. "This
is all n swindle; twill end in money specu-
lation. That child is acting very
ugly role. The rod of justice should be
applied" Another class of wiseacres-less
harsh in their appreciations or somewhat bet
ter informed-protested that the candor and
honesty of the girl could not be called in ques-
tion, but, added they, "These wonderful phar-
tasms are mere natural phenomena, to explain
which is the province of medicine. The sur
prising effects produced by catalepsy, hystera
and hallucination are we'll known to the
learned faculty. Let physician investigate
this pseudo miracle. Before the light of
science these visions will fly away as the
shades of night before the rising SUM-"
Lourdes was, without exaggeratiou, turned
topsy-turvy. What O splendid chance of dis
tinguishing himself is offered to the commits
sary of police! No faithful commissary is
bound to believe in miracles Now, for some
remarkable act of zeal, which will illustrate
the police department of Louries. On this
very Sunday at the issue of the faithful from
vespers, police officer pierced the crowd tha
surrounded, and eagerly questioning
Bernadette, most manfully laid his off cial
hands upon her shoulder: in the name of the
law, aud to the great Indignation of the public,
he arrested her. "Follow me Lcfore the COM
missary of police"
The fox was entrapped, not his intended
victim. The willy represen tntive of authority
| twisted and turned his crafJiness in every
direction ; employed every means; feigned
bounty, fatherly caresses, biting sarcasms,
threats, intimidation, promises in fine, left no
stone unturned in order to disconGert the poor
little girl. She told the truth, aud as she had
nothing bot truth to lean upon, it was the I'M
changeable sameness of this very truth that
| foled the enraged commissary. On whichso
ever side he looked, his eyes met with that
never-varying form-truth clear as the sun
| light, unyielding as adamant. Bernadette was
perfectly calm and self-possessed the Blessed
Virgin evidently assisted her. "What IN.
shrinking firmness in her assertions" remarked
| to the commissary one of the witnesses of this
scene. with what an accent of truthfulness
| does she speak. Beyond doubt, she is herself
convinced that she has seen something: she ia
sincere"
The examination had lasted full honr,
without any satisfactory results to the COM
missary: he was beside himself. The crowd
outside at fret gave vent to indignant muir
murings: their demonstrations soon became
threatening. Soubirous made his appearance
he came to rescue his child from the clutches
of the police. He succeeded, but at the same
time he was 50 worked upon by the menaces
of the police superintendent, that he promised
to forbid Bernadette all access to the Grotto.
{" For this time, wink at her fault; in case OF
relapse, beware of prison. The imperial pro
curator uses no gloves in his dealings; you
know it WE'LL"
After being dismissed with the greatest
rudeness, the father and child wendell their
way homeward, escorted by q numerous crowd
| of sympatbizers. The probity of both the man
and the girl was more than once put to severe
proofs. Fallure, however, was INC ohiy IeS"I'
Silver and gold were placed at their disposal ;
the most seductive promises were held ont to
them. A fat, Incorporating refusal checked
every advance in this direction. They would
receive nothing; yet, heaven knows in what
poverty they eked out a wretched existence.
The members of the medical profession, al
we'll as those who are unpretendingly styled
men of science, had no reason to Aatter them
! SelSes With bstteE success, No later than Sun