The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-05-28

hearth stone than any of the others. rs
Il proof of his argument, he explained
how often tile husband and father IS
compelled to reveal to his lawyers, Ger
tain matters which he strenuously con-
ceals from wife and children.
| Some of the gentlemen present We're
inclined to agree with the lawyer, whell
Dr. Bloomfield Hunter began to plead
the cause of the medical profession.
1 He said he quite agreed with his legal
friend that the law, as profession,
was very closely interviewer with the
interests of the family, but at the same
time he thought he was justified i'll as
sorting that the family doctors position
placed him on a still more intimate foot
ing in the household
You see, gentlemen, said he, your
! physician is the first person to extend
to you the hand of welcome, when you
kick and scream your little person on
to this gay old earth. And all through
your days, his solicitous care helps
YOU to fight the ills that flesh IS
heir to. Many il time, when other
worlds seem peril0usly near. when tue
great something which is the beyond
seems eager to snap that thread called
| life. the doctor, single handed. BATTLES ITS
desire and coaNes you back TO the
here that we know, so much more
comfortable, for most of us tnan the
there" that we know nothing of. And
the condolences! O! but these are con-
fidences. the things we sometimes hear.
/ If the way of the transgreSsor IS hard,
what is it to that of the faithless, erring
wife. who is compelled to contide to her
physician that which she scarce dares
whisper to her God!
Up to this time Err darcy, though he
had listened with deep interest to the
clever arguments of both his friends.
had taken no part i'll the discussion.
Now, raising his eyes. calm and dark,
like pools so deep that no emotion III
their depths can ever reach the sur
| face he said as he looked around the
| table at his fellow guests:
LAS a Catholic priest, gentlemen, |
| feel compelled to put i'll a plea for my
| profession, and the position il occupies
| in the family. which is the foundation
of all society.
But first let me state that | thorough
ly appreciate the clever arguments adj
vanced by my two friends. Between
them it is difficult to decide.
10 my mind the one vocation is as es
sential and intimate i'll the particular
connection which we are discussing as
the other. and both are Indispensable.
| But there is Il calling that is nearer
than either more intimate than both,
and it is that of the Catholic priest,
J when. in his sacerdotal capacity, he en-
tiers the family, for then he makes his
-entree as the representative of Christ.
To the believing Catholic he holds in
his hand the omnipotent powers of
God, not the least of which is the pow
err to hold or retain the sins of his fell
bowman.
My esteemed friend. DR.. Bloomfield
Hunter. told us just now of the solemn
secrets of which the physicians ear of
tentimes becomes the receptacle. Pain.
that mighty leveler, wrings from its
writing victim the story Of his or her
frailty. All. the Insurer, who trades in
sweet forbidden ,fruits. gets his interest
back ten thousand fol,.--trn thousand
fold.
But there are sins, black crimes and
omissions that leave no outward scar.
After years of commission and reyclry
therein the eye gieams as bright and
sparkling. the lip is still carmne and
humid and the blood still bounds with