The Irish standard., 1902-07-26
TALES OF CONVERTS.
Row They Entered the Fold of the
Catholic Church.

| lie Otuef lWO were respectively Il
wealthy merchant and an army officer,
who had risen from the ranks to
post of distinction by his talents and
unswerving devotion to duty. All
We're converts, and they had been
speaking of the wonderful manner in
which Almighty GCd is pleased to turn
souls to Himself, says the Ave Marie.
NO doubt we could each tell re-
markable story in our own case' said
the priest. Here is the incident on
which my conversion turned: Dur
ing the Civil War l served in vol
ullteer regiment. Our colonel was a
silent, reserved man, all his men
adored him. He shared all their hard
ships and gave his life in the end for
the Lost Cause.
Il was sent one night to the colo
nel's tent by my own commanding Of
ticer. 1 knocked gently on the tent
pole, but received no answer; so l
ventured to lift the flap. The colonel
was kneeling near his cot, rosary i'll
his hand. had never seen one be-
fore, and could not imagine its use.
Retiring discreetly, l knocked again,
and this time he replied to the sum-
mons. 1 mentioned the little occur
renee to no one, but it made deep
impression OH my mind. l felt that
here was indeed Il good man, making
no pretence of phylacteries and psalm
singing, but carrying his religion in
his heart as his whole conduct made
manifest. Later, when l lay wounded
in the hospital, 1 grew familiar with
the use Of the rosary through the Sis
ters who We're our ministering angels.
And SOL eventually became a Cath
Ollie"
"My experience" said the merchant,
was somewhat similar While l was
in the establishment of l. & Il,
was sent one morning to take some
samples of lace for approval to the
rooms of Il celebrated singer. Some
one was with her when l arrived, and,
opening Gocr leading into 4 small
interoom, she bade me wait until she
should be at leisure. There 1 found
a small table on which stood an ivory
crucitiX and an exquisite silver statue
of the blessed Virgin. In tiny globe
of amethyst glass Il light was burn
ing. Always lover Of beautiful
things, l approached nearer to exam
ME these works of art-when the sing
en- entered.
"Ah! see you are admiring my lit
tie crucitiN and statue Are they not
beautiful? They were given me by
the Empress of Austria
~ little shyly. for l was not more
than IS, l replied:
"They are very fine. madam. But
why, if it is not impertinent. do you
have the light burning on the table"
"Beca,ls. this is my little oGatcry.'
"'What is an ciatoly?' 1 asked
"'Oh.' she said i'll some surprise.
1 forgot that you may not be Il Cath
Ollie. 1t is a place where cne prays.'
"'Anl y;u pray here?
'Surely--eyery night and morning,
ainl very often when / am worried Or
pcl'plexca. Never do l leave this
room for the opera house but l kneel
for 4 moment before Christ and His
blessed Mother, that my work may be
blessed
There was no trace OF egotiSn or
simplicity itself: and Of so charming
| and gracious Il personality that l still
carry tire memory in my old heart.
The foil ,winy Sunday she sang ut the
cathedral. l went that very day to
Il Catholic church fcr the first tine, but
it has held me ever SINCE
"AIy story is quite curious also,"
said the army man, 'of going about
to different churches-ratller for the
social features than from any religious
motives. My piety was not at all in
creased Ivy these various experiences.
had but little faith in the sincerity
of most people whom 1 met under
those circumstances. But against one
church-the Catholic-I had ever an
inveterate prejudice. From my youth
had heard stories Of the idolatry and
superstition of it's members.
Zone morning about II O'clock was
passing Catholic Church in Nor
folk Virginia. 1t suddenly began to
rain: I had no umbrella and ran up
into the vestibule of the church. AS
stood there waiting for the rain to
cease, the clouds grew darker, and
began to feel rather chilly and uncom-
Portable. Through the inner door
came the sound of sacred music, of
which have always been passionately
fond. I entered and went into a pew
and began to look about me. 1t was
at the moment of the Elevation: every
head was bOwed-one could almost feel
the silence.
can indescribable emotion took pos
session of me. l realized fully that
here was piety, here was prayer.
Later l fingered in my place near the
door, watching the congregation qui-
etly and reverently disperse. When I
| loft the ch,1rcl, everyone had Departed