The Irish standard., 1905-10-14

HIS nome was but cabin of logs,
with the interstices stuffed with moss
The roof was covered with bark. The
Fireplace was one corner of the room,
with hole in the roof through which
the smoke assembled Often the state
of the atmosphere was such that the
cabin was filled with smothering
smoke. A mat was his bed; his food
was pounded corn, fishes and flesh of
animals, broiled on the Goals; his COM
pantons, savages. Such was the home
which this noble man cheerfully ac-
cepted in exchange for the baronial
splendor of his ancestors.
Every day Father Marquette was
sinking in languor, which both he and
his companions supposed to be moni-
ton of speedily approaching death.
And yet he was cheerful and happy
man. All incomers at his cabin were
greeted with smiles. Death had no ter
ror. His log cabin was continually
crowded with those who sought in
struction. He and his companions had
recourse to the Blessed Virgin by a no.
vena. The voices Of the three were
joined in mathis and vespers, and
hoated sweetly over those dreary
wastes, where such heavenly strains
had never been heard before.
Their prayers yere heard. Contrary
to all reasonable expectation, he so far
regained his strength as 10 be able, on
March goth to resume his journey
The chill winds of departing winter
still swept the plains. Storms of sleet
often beat upon them. The ground,
alternately thawing and freezing, was
frequently whitened with snow. And
still Father Marquette and his COM
panions, with chivalry never surpassed
\ in the annals of knighthood, passed on.
On April Sth, after a journey of one
hundred and fifty miles. they reached
the Observation-Disclosures stands the city
of Brockport, 1ll-and We're received
as an angel from heaven. On the Mon
day of Holy Week he began his in
structions. Soon a rustic altar, adorned
with pictures of the Blessed Virgin,
was erected and mass celebrated for
the first time in his new mission.
Chiefs and warriors, young and old,
gathered around their beloved black
gown; and there, at least, the seeds of
the gospel fell on good ground.
Easter was past and his Illinois mis-
sons established when the painful
malady returned with renewed force.
Well aware that he had reached the
boundary line of life, the indomitable
Jesuit set out for Mackinaw, hoping to
die among his fellow missionaries. He
passed by the mouth Of the st. Joseph
River, proceeding to the north along
the eastern shore of Lake Michigan.
AS the two camoemen urged the frail
craft over the lonely waters, the sight
and strength of the priest gradually
failed, land he was at length so weak
that he had to be lifted in and out his
canoe when they landed each night
Thus they moved along day after
day, expecting almost every hour that
the death summons would come. On
Friday evening May q, 1875, he told
them, with a countenance radiant with
Joy, that on the morrow he should take
his departure for his heavenly home.
They came to the mouth Of small,
pleasant river, which presented shell
tered cove for their canoe. There was
an eminence near by crowned by a
beautiful grove and commanding a
wide prospect of the lake and of the
land. 1t had a sunny exposure, drained
of moisture, and composed OF just
such soil as seems suitable for grave.
Father Marquette pointed to the emf
nence in the lone, silent, solitary will
derness and said, There is the spot
for my last repose."
"They then carried him ashore, kim
died a fire and raised bark cabin
for his use, laying him in it,
the Father being thus stretched on the
shore like st. Francis Xavier, as he
had always so ardently desired.
When his companions came up, all de-
jected, he consoled them, 4. gave
them his last instructions and then
disposed them to receive the sacra-
ment of penance. which he admins
tered to them for the last time.
Feeling that he had but little
while to live, he made a last effort
clasped his hands, and, with his eyes
] fixed sweetly on his cruciflx, he pro-
nounced aloud his profession of faith
| and thanked the Divine Majesty fol-
the immense favor He bestowed upon
him in allowing him to die in the So.
! ciety Of Jesus, to die in it as a mis-
sionary Of Jesus Christ and above all
to die in 1t, as he had always asked
in wretched cabin, amid the forests
| destitute Of all human aid" His last
| words were: Mother Of God, remem-
Der me-" And thus, on the lone, wild
| shores Of Lake Michigan, on May IS
| 1865, died Father james Marquette
the first explorer Of the Mississippi
and the apostle of Illinois.