The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-10-21

DuL the LAOWBnI OF meeting famous
atheist made his heart almost bleed. |
Maurice had gained as much fame
as an atheist as he had as a great
doctor.
After short walk David arrived at
the home, and was ushered into the
grand drawing-room In a few min
utes he heard once more the familiar
step of Maurice.
Dave! My Dave!" cried the doc
tor, and in a twinkling he had the
priest in his arms, weeping with Joy.
Where have you been all these
years? Tell me about yourself, Dave.
have tried SO often to find you, but
was unsuccessful ri
In few words Father Russell told
how he was a missionary in China,
and had come East but few days
ago to try to raise money for a
chapel.
$50 you are a priest? And it is
you that has my little girl so upset,
is it? Well, it is a good thing it is,
for if it was any one else would
have him fixed for coming on private
grounds trying to convert it into a
religious"
is Genevieve your only child?"
asked the priest, ignoring the doctors
remarks
Eyes, she is the only one living. !
buried fine little fellow. He was SO
strong and healthy, and in two days
sickness was snatched away, while
poor Genevieve, who has never known
one hours health, has been left. It
seems SO strange that my wife and
boy, both with everything to live for,
should go and leave poor Genevieve.
It is cruel! 1t is cruel! At times
she suffers SO that get discouraged
and / feel like ending it all and put
ting an end to her misery
i Eyes, Maurice, I know it must be
very hard to watch that little inno-
cent child suffer. In your respondent
moments do you not feel the loss of
religion? Be honest, Maurice?"
I Eyes, truthfully speaking, would
give anything for the infinite rest that
one finds in religion. But for me
there is no consolation, for I cannot
believe. My convictions are stronger
: today than ever. If there is a God
why does He permit my little girl to
suffer? What sin has she ever com
mitted?"
Nov, my dear brother, we cannot
judge what is best for us. My belief
is that Almighty God is slowly and
gradually drawing you on, step by
step, making you work out your own
lesson, as the best teachers do with
their pupils. The innocent are often
the victims, but God knows best
Mans extremity is Gods opportunity
and / am sure that your sorrow is
/ providential, with an indefinite mean
ing"
"Of course, you can find consolation
in all your difficulties, for you be
-, lieve, but nothing can convince me Of
{ the existence of God-only one
l thing, and that is too absurd to men
tion," said the doctor.
"I know what it u.s. said the priest
I IF your child could stand up and say
q Papa, am cured you would believ'
7 in Gods existence, wouldn't your
Yes, would. But that great 10.
o will never take place. said the doc
= tor.
What God has done for others HI
,. can also do for your child. Have yo1
ever seen the crutches and brace
P that hang on the walls of the man
n shrines, left there by the sick an
II helpless as testimonials of the powe
B. and goodness of Almighty God
q asked the priest.
d "If there is God and He will cur
my child / would stop at nothing t
81 acknowledge Him before the Who'll
s. world. All my wealth would go fo
W His honor and glory said the do
70 tor, as the tears chased down hi
T. cheeks.
80 God accepted his promise, to whic
O. he was faithful.
Out in China sanity and age
Is priest is patiently awaiting for th
ut Master to call him home. He hs
lg spent his life teaching the heather
know and love his God. Many an
g great were the hardships and stru
e. giles he had to encounter, but, Lib
re true religious, he fought the bait
ne bravely. Deep in his heart he chant
silent "Te Deum" as he gazes Q
e the sweet, gentle face Of Sister Mar
es Joseph, who has been true to he
ne word. and, like her uncle, is tru
disciple, teaching the little heathe
ne children of that wonderful man Gale
II Jesus