The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-07-16
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

louise Lafeau: Hov Sigmds and Ecstasy. An
Essay addressed to Je'os and Christians Of erery
dcnonaina ton Bv DR.. Augustus k,hiing. New
York: Hickey g. Co.; New Orleans: c. d.
Elder.
1t would not be surprising if some of our
readers were to exclaim "What, another work
on Louise Lateau. We are getting tired of the
same subject often repeated" But can that
be too often repeated which is for the salvation
of souls, the enlightment of nations, the illum'
ination of the worldf If we have faith, we
will dwell upon this miracle of Gods goodness
with earnest love: ii we have none, it may be
the means of enkindlipg that sacred fire with
in ms, go in either case, how can we tire of this
all absorbing thenei 1T is miracle; this con-
dition of stigmas snd ecstasy which the whole
world may witness in the peasant girl of the
Belgian forests. No voice on earth, to day,
dares to question the existence of the fact itself
in all its marvellous details Hundreds of
physicians of every denomination have person
ally examined the case, and thousands of people
of every class in life have been eye witnesses
Of the miraculous phenomena. 1t is now eight
years since her condition has been known to O
curious, yet unbelieving world-and the result
is the establishment of the conviction that
marvel exists inexplicable by any laws of
science.
Bot do our impatient readers fully under
Sand Louise Lateau's condition. Do they
know that she bears in her hands, feet and
side, the marks of the wounds of onr Blessed
Lordf that on the right shoulder there is
bruise so painful that it affects not only the
nerves of the neck, but also those of sight 7 SO
that at certain times she is unable to recognizes
person at the distance of yard or two And
although eince 1873 she does not eat, nor drink,
nor sleep, still her health is good, her com plex-
ion fresh, her movements active and her mind
clear and sensible, while the greater part of
her time is spent working at her se,ung machine.
Think of it, ye unbelevers of the nineteenth
century! A stigmatizsd girl uses Yankee |
sewing machine! One of Gods most stupen-
dous marvels is associated with one of the |
most utilitariRn of modern inventions! If
anything more were needed to convince us that |
the finger of God is here it would be this fact |
alone.
If mans cunning had invented the tale of
the stigmas and the ecstasy it would have sur
rounded the imposition by facts all spiritual or
at least intellectual; by occupations that sug-
gested angelic companionship, or ETHEREAL in
tercourse but it would nerer have conceived
the thought of employing those hands marked
with the signs of a crucifed God in so humble
and worldly and progressive and modern an
affair, as working on an American-in vented
sewing machine.
The Bishop of British Columbia saw her
seated at her work. her hands bleeding freely,
and her bent forehead marked by oozing drops
of blood which slowly fell upon the machinery
before her. Bot while he watched her there
came pause, the busy wheels were still, the
blood-stained hands were motionless-for
Aoulse-the peasant girl of Bots d'Haine-
was In her ecstasy. Such are the scenes wit
messed every Friday since the year 1868, when
these marvellous manifestations were first i'm
pressed upon her. Wonderful as are the facts
detailed In this pamphlet and in that of DIR.
LefebVre's there are yet other mysteries
known only to her spiritual advisers who have
sacred and responsible duty imposed upon
them, and who may not reveal their secrets to
the world for many years to come. How often
do we think that one single miracle will surely
convert world. One single miracle of Gods
power could not fail to move all hearts to
Faith.
And behold, here is q great miracle q stu
pendous miracle, and yet people are tired of
having the subject mentioned OF, they say,
II 1t were luminous sign in the heavens, or
an angel seen flying across the sky, or some.
Gnlng else which all could see, then we might
believe that God intended to convince the
world.
Well' such things have been, and the world has
not believed. A luminous cross in the sky was
not more visible to the eyes of men than are the
marks of crucitied Saviour upon this Belgian
msiden-An angel with ontspread wings was
seen by fewer eyes than are the outstretched
Leading hands of this child of suffering All
men may see and hear the wonders God has
wroughtin our day, in behalf of an UT believing
generation and hence it is q fearful thing to
turn aside indfferently or to murmur with i'm
patience when there is question of His marvel
lous condescension and miraculous manifesto
tions. To all denominations the little book be-
fore us 10 now addressed, and thought it may
disturb the peace of mind of the unwilling and
the timid, still it isQO less binding upon them
to examine the Truth, and having found it, to
say: 1 believed Lord help Thou my nnbeliefI
Wehave said nothing of the virtues and piety