The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-01-23

in doubt. Medicine protested that abe had no
hand In these prodigies. There remained
only one way of explaining the phenomena
This spring possessed q mineral feoundity, pro-
duotive of results far surpsssing all the vannt-
ed fountains of health with which the Py renees
areso enriched. A third rate chemist of the
place had the cowardfy oomplacency to declare
that the water was endowed with curative
properties of extraordinary power. The
tidings were trumpeted abroad that Lourdes
was in possession of q mineral spring of I'M
eqnailed efficiency. This report was received
with little credit after while it was secuted
by all reasonable people. Later on, more
Trustworthy experiments established the
truth. It was conolusively proved that no
mineral element whatever conld be detected
in the water. Mr. Filhol, Professor of Chem
istry, of the faculty of Toulouse, submitted
the liquid to every known system Of analysis.
Oa the seventh of August, in . learned me
morandum, be proclaimed that the liquid sub
mltted to his examination was ordinary water,
pure aud potable, and free from the slightest
medical Ingredient
Against this league of Satan and his tools,
the cause of the Apparition was sustained by
it's own inherent vitality, and by the unassail-
able belief of the people. The clergy showed
no hostility, but it maintained itself within the
shadow of strict neutrality, which was almost
yelled under a emblance of Indifference. At
the start, the entire ecclesiastical body was
incredulous. After q WHILE some priests, who
had been able to obtain better in formation on
the subject, were struck with the air of sauc-
tity which was visible in the Apparitions.
They then passed into the ranks of the respect
ful doubters. Finally, they gave in With Joy
their full adhesion to the reality of the mira
Gle. large number, however, persisted for a
long time in their incredulity.
AT this day it is inexplicable that during the
whole period of the Apparitions, not q single
black-robed priest to be found an ong the
masses of pilgrims, that from all quarters
hocked to the grotto. Yet even hardened un-
believers were irresistibly whirled along by
the popular enthusiasm that rolled over the
country. Evidently. Providence had decreed
that net even the shadow of human agency
should be cast over this especial work of the
Immaculate Virgin.
The pilgrimage of Lourdes was exclusively
the creation of the Blessed Mother of God. She
alone did all. The police were overcome the
administration and its head were disgraceful-
ly beaten off the field peremptory order.
Issuing from the sovereign power, restored to
the pilgrims free access to the grotto. Since
that epoch, no Intervention Of human authori.
ty has dared to disturb the peace of this be-
loved shrine.
The Project no longer found himself at home
in this quarter. As soon as a vacancy lay
open he was transferred to another depart
ment. By species of amiable teasing on the
part of Providence, he was expelled by our
Lady of Lourdes only to fall under the hands
of our Lady of La Salette. From Tarbes, he
was called to Grenoble. Like all liberal gov
ernmental and semi-rationalistic christians, he
was incorrigible. 1t was his pleasure to boast
that if he had been Project of Grenoble in 1886,
he would have speedily settled the Apparitions
and "superstitions" of La Salette. He died at
Grenoble some years after, struck down by
apoplexy. Heaven rest his soul
The imperial Procurator found himself in q
like predicament the climate of Lourdes had
become Injurious to his health. He was invi-
ted to more genial skies. The over zeslons
commissary of police in like manner
gratifed with change of residence. Rumor
reports that he has become one of the most
skillful experts of the secret service
ITO be Continued