Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1911-09-23
And True Story Told OF Their
Golden Wedding Ami
versary.
Aged Couple Who Had Returned
After Many Years TO
Pray.
One Man Was Made 70 Think Seri.
ously and May BE TO
Reform.
JUST A WHOLESOME TALE

The Irish Standard, a Catholic pa
per published at Minneapolis.
recently told the following story:
A man not old in years but wear
: Ing marks of worry walked along a
city street one Sunday evening. He
was going nowhere in particular,
but only out to get the air and to be-
guile the hours that stood between
him and his money-getting labors. AS
he walked he passed a Catholic
church. The door was open and he
could see that the edifice was
empty. A subtle something directed
him up the steps and before a second
thought had dawned upon him he
found himself inside.
After his eyes had become accus-
toned to the 'darkened interior he
could see by the aid of the faint
g1ttering light of the sanctuary lamp
the outlines of the white altar
Above the tabernacle the Pickering
rays now and then revealed in the
gathering darkness the form Of q
large crucifix. As the stranger The
was one who had left the fold "to
gain his freedom") was staring va
cantly at the dim outlines before him
a little noise, the tapping of
rosary against seat, attracted his
attention. Tn a nav half way down
the aisle he could see two Bonded
forms wrapt in meditation.
The stranger entered the first pew
and knelt down. The silence and SOL
emnity of the place induced solemn
reflections. ITO those who worship
here" he thought, that little light
signifies that the God of heaven is
present on that altar. I believed that
once, but / couldn't endure the re-
straints. wanted to be what our
professor called a modern man
one who did not believe in anything
that could deter him from gratifying
his whims. wanted to be free, to
have pleasure. All religion became
so much superstition. I took my
freedom-but happiness is still in the
visionary distance. Out on the
streets this moment, tired pleasure
seekers, who never think of God are
engaged in the eternal pursuit. They
are making the fatal mistake that
men OF all ages have made; they
want to get lasting happiness from
things that will not last. They are
to floats that are not an
chored. They mistake moving con-
stellations for the Polar Star. But
at this point the strangers reverie
was interrupted by the worshipers
up the aisle, who arose to leave the
church. They genuflected slowly and
after pausing for a moment for a
last look at the alter they walked
out.
As they approached the stranger
discerned an old couple bowed with
age, or was it with care? "People
don't go to church when they are
happy" the stranger thought; 81
wonder what trouble has brought
them here" With him thought and
action were one. In a moment he
was out the door and bowling his
apologies to the belated worshipers
for his boldness in making a few in
quiries.
We're in no trouble at ALL" the
old man said. "You see this is our
golden wedding anniversary and Kate
and l just thought we'd celebrate by
this little visit to the church
That is ALL"
"But, haven't you been to services
before today?" the stranger in
quired.
ooh, yes" the old woman replied,
but you see one can pray so much
better when alone in the church be-
cause then you know God is listening
inst m vnu And she addad Io,,h
Ingly, you aren't bothered by big
hats and fine perfumes in the seat in
front of you"
But is this the only way that you
observed such a great day in your
lives?" the stranger inquired, not
little SURPRISED.
"Oh. no." the old woman an
swered quickly, as If to correct a
wrong impression. "The children and
are at home and we
enjoy being with them, but we have
so many things TO be thankful for we
had to come here. But they'll be
for us at home. Ned" she
said, turning to her husband, and
Ned asserting, they took leave Of
their newly made friend.
Down the steps they whose love
the growing decades only caused TO
liken to the Divine walked arm in
arm chatting pleasantly on their
way. Hat in hand the stranger stood
and when they passed from sight he
turned and went back into the
church.
What is true Of this nature is
true all over the Catholic world. To
the Catholic matrimony Is a sacra-
ment and eevry Catholic believes
ment, and every Catholic believes
honal Government depends upon the
firm foundation of the family.