New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-04-30
An Awful Scene.

While the Redemptorist Fathers were O,
| mission to the Church of the Sacre,
| Heart, East Boston, the attendance was full
every service. One evening Father Franci
Aavier gave description OF the death an,
Judgment Of an old impenitent sinner
which, for awful solemnity, we have neye
heard equaled. The church was filed i,
every part. Standing by the side of a larg,
black cross inside Of the sanctuary. tn.
reverend father, in the dark habit of hi:
order. without note CT reference, spoke il
substance as follows:
The lmpenitent sinner is now laid on 9
bed OF sickness never more to rise. He feels
the fangs OF death at his heart. His friends
nave brought the priest of God to admin
lister comfort to his dying soul; but too late.
The poor wretch Is in maze: ne tries IN
humble prayer; the words stick in his
throat; he has forgotten how to pray; he
turns and looks in the faces near him oul '
to be remembered that he is about to leave
them forever. The holy fathers words
otherwise! From boy hood through life he
had been only intent on gratifying his SEN
sual desires, which he still loves, although
he has lost the power to relish them. His
brain reels In agony, the damp dew of
death is on his brow, the departing rattle
in his throat, his eyes become dim and he
can barely recognize the outlines of those bv
his bedside. All is dark, the soul has left the
body and gradually opens its eyes on other
scenes. Yet 1t "a the same room, with
other parties present. He looks to see who
they are. Radiant in the majesty of inn.
mortality ne beholds the Judge Of all the
earth, the Lord Of Glory, who shed his
precious blood for him, and by mis- side an
angel in vestments of purest white, But
who Is this, black as night, on whose brow
every evil passion has set its seal What
Is ne doing heres He speaks, listen, his
voice is harsh and hellieh, and his hands
are stretched forth toward the wretched
sinner. 30, righteous judge" he croaks.
II claim this wretch as mine, bodv snd
soul; he has served nae throughout life and
now l claim him at the hour of death =,
Though we all know that the devil ia liar
if0r 1t is he who epeaks), for once he sDeaka
the truth. But he comes not into court
alone; he has brought from hell with
him the sinners wife and children. GOV
husband, husband" the wife screams in
agony, but for your cruel treatment I
might nave been an angel of light; you re-
degrading me to your own brutal level. lat
me and our children to the cold charity of
the world; we tell into sio and were lost.
ana WI! be your tormensors forever" Hear
us cn114fen; they, too, have something to
say: y! father, father, what our mother
mas SAID Is true; your drunkenness and
cruelty drove us to despair and sin, and we
ehal be your tormentors." "Riehteons
Judge" continues the devil, 81 have other
evidence to make good my claim: h;s
guardian angel by your side can confirm
what charge against him." The BENIGN
messenger Of heaven bows his head in sor-
row and family says: "Most righteous
Judge. when this poor soul was received
n nto the the church By baptism was appointed
The present have never deserted him. IN
seasons Of sickness, in dreams, and bv ev.
ery other means, tried inCessantlv to in.
auenoe him to turn from the evil Of his