The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1910-01-08
THE CHOIR BOY.

Wherever there is a Sunday school and a train
of altar boys, methinks if they heard the following
true story some souls might be brought to the Mas
ter, and little child would lead them
About two years ago. while my choir boys we're
standing III the sacristy waiting for services to be-
gin L noticed for several Sunday evenings little
fellow about II years of age looking in at the open
door, and wistfuy and earnestly watching the train
of red cassocks and white SUPPLIES that were ready
to march into the sanctuary.
"Who is that boy2" [ asked on the third Sunday
evening.
Father he's Protestant He is Charlie x
looked around, but Charlie had disappeared How
ever, the next Sunday night he was there and when
/ went toward him he stood. his ground like man.
His big blue eyes widened when 1 spoke pleas
anty to him.
Il am glad to see you, Charlie. Do you like to
watch the choir boys2"
eyes, sir" And unspoken wish shone on his
face. He bright, manipulating lad, and
was pleased with his appearance
After a moment, during which he never took his
eyes from my face he said:
Gould [ be choir boy2'
"But you don't believe in the Catholic Church
Charlie!"
won't you give me chance, Father?"
The words and the lads earnest face made deep
impression upon me- [ turned away to look up
spare cossack and surplce in the wardrobe but the
boy mistook my movement for refusal and was
turning slowly and sadly away when I called him.
eyes, my boy, [ will give you a chance put these
on" and [ helped him.
No king robed in ermine could have been more
grave, more reverent than this boy, when, fully
equipped in cassoch and surplice and hymn book in
hand, he stood beside a companion in the middle
Of the lines.
"Now, do the other boys do" whispered, as
the train started into the sanctuary. [ watched him
from the door. He was reverent and attentive even
surprising his Catholic companions in respectful
DEVOTION listening breathlessly to every word that
fell from the lips of the priest who preached the
evening sermon. Sunday night we have sermons
of doctrinal nature, followed by benediction.
Every Sunday evening he was there, and the boys
never once referred to his being Protestant at
least i'll my hearing.
One evening he fingered after the boys said
goodnight.
"Well, Charlie" said stirred of being choir
boy?'
How he looked at me!
"Oh Father! No, indeed. But, Father may
be a Catholic!p
| put my arm around hint couldn't help it.
the little face was so serious. Certainly, my son.
But your parents must be consulted and give con
sent"
"Why. Father brought them to church every
Sunday to see me in my choir Clothes and mother
says she would be glad if / good enough to be
Catholic"
I inquired his address, and | went to see his
parents soon after this. | found they were unbap-
TIED Proestants and of course, not of the six
children had ever been baptized
I talked about Charlie and found both parents
we're not only willing to see Charlie instructed and
baptized but wished the same for themselves and
the rest of the household
The end is soon told.
[ instructed the little apostle and his father
and mother and baptized them and all the brothers
and sisters, eight in all. He soon confirmed