The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-06-02


Raineville. the custodian, who is al
ways willing to guide visitors through
the old structures and who is eloquent
in his quaint and earnest descriptions
OF the work and achievements of the
old father" Under his escort il has
been the good fortune Of the writer to
visit these old buildings. hallowed by
sacred associations, on several occa-
sions and each time the impression
made has been deeper and more signiii-
cant. The church proper is is feet by
81. built Of logs. hewn and chinked
with mortar. The front OF the building
is clapboarded and painted. The log
walls are neatly whitewashed. In the
middle of the front is a tower. hve feet
square and rs feet high, surmounted
by an octagonal belfry, in which swings
a small bell. The interior is still fur
nished-the altar with its images and
candelabra, the nave. with chairs
many of them made by the fathers
and lay brothers by hand labor, the
little gallery. with wooden benches.
Everything is as clean as If service
were to be held there Immediately.
Half way down the nave is a diminu-
tive confessional. formed by a small
latticed screen built out from the wall.
AS the visitor gazes at this, he can
fancy the venerable father listening
with averted head to the self accusa-
lions OF his dusky charges and dis
missing them with averted head. In
fact. everything about the mission Is
.tenderly suggestive of some phase OF
the life of this remarkable man.
Adjoining the church at the rear and
communicating with ii by a small door,
opening at one side of the altar, is
low, onc-story log building of one
room, which was evidently used by
Father Ravalli as study. Here Is
his heavy, old-fashioned mahogany
secretary, still containing many of his
papers and upon the walls are relig-
ious pictures. as he hung them years
ago. Here the jealous priest performed
much of his work, planning for the
Improvement of his charges and for
the advancement of his church. 1t Is
room which has played a vitality inn
portant part in the history of Mon
tana.
Back of this second building and at
tached to it. is a still lower one, which
while apparently built at an earlier
time, yet forms a portion of the united
structure. In this room Father Ra-
valli died Here is his medicine closet,
from which he administered to the
physical ailments of all who suffered.
Here too, is the bed upon which Father
RavalIi spent the last few years of his
life, hopelessly crippled. yet always
cheerful, and from which his soul took
flight to the eternal reward so richly
won. One cannot help but pause here
/
a hallowed spot. 1t breaches a silent
sermon of devotion and self-denial that
even the most needless must consider.
Opening from the rear of this room
are the kitchen, dining room and store
room used by Father Ravalli and his
associate, Father dAste. Extending
north at a right angle from the rear
| corner of this building is a line OF
| sheds, poultry houses. bunk houses
and at right angles to these again are
the stables and wagon sheds, all built
| by those dauntless missionaries and all
| still in good repair. The workmanship
| of all is excellent. Surrounding the
| pyramidal roof of the dove cote is a
weathercock, fashioned, IL is said, by
! Father Ravalli from an old tin can,
and still showing traces of the bright
| colors with which IL was originally
decked. 1t shows how the great mind
found recreation and enjoyment in lit
tie things. 1t has been begged by
scores of people but no one will be al
lowed to take it. The place will not
be despoiled by relic hunters while the
vigilant John Rainville is in charge.
Across the front OF the mission build
ings is a row of stately cottonwood
trees, planted almost so years ago by
| the priests. forming a delightful fore
ground to the picture presented by the
historic group of buildings.
Such is st. Mary's Mission to-day. a
monument to bravery as great as was
ever recorded in history's pages; to
devotion as unceasing as was ever
sung by minstrel or by bard; of zeal
unsurpassed in the annals of the
church; of a genius which shines the
more brilliantly as passing years en-
able a fuller comprehension of its
grandeur IL tells the story of the
sublime devotion of a master mind to a
beloved cause. Greater love hath no
man than this. that he lay down his
life for his friend s.
Hamilton, May "a.
| RAu AND STEAMER