The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-06-01
Grace Rejected.
written for The Catholic Bulletin
by Annie Frederick, Dwight, kan.)

In the pioneer days of our state,
Father DeMont came to the, then,
wild west, to labor in a little mis-
sion situated in the very heart of
the wilderness. Not long after his
coming, he gathered together crew
of men, accompanying them to the
dense forest, which later rang with
the sound of their axes and the crash
of falling trees, felled to build the.
first church of the mission.
The small crew of men, aided by
their pastor, worked with untiring
zeal, and when their labor was fin
ished the first Church of St. James
stood on an eminence, commanding
a view of that wild, yet beautiful,
country for miles and miles around.
'Tis true it was no splendid work of
architecture, but composed entirely
of logs, fifteen by thirty it's dimen-
sions, yet the hearts of those brawny
men swelled with pride as they gazed
upon their task completed.
Five years have passed. Quiet
years of peace and plenty did they
prove to be to that little band of prion-
GERS. The mission ever given. in
that western country is in progress
in the little church of st. James. Men
left their work of clearing the forest,
and breaking the sod, coming in large
numbers to attend the mission. Even
tho to1o
thither, to hear the Peace Man, as
they called Father DeMont.
Many conversions were made by
this French apostle, who e1oquently
and touchingly told the story of the
Redeemer's love and tragic death.
The Indians brilliant eye grew
soft as the savage light died away,
when they heard for the first time the
story of the white mans God.
One bright Autumn evening proceed
ing the day on which the mission
would end, Father DeMont might be
seen, vending his way down a well
worn path, which led to little hut
situated at the edge of a dense forest,
the abode of young man who lived
the very life of a savage. Savage
Hugh was the name he bore in the
pioneer settlement-Hugh Russell,
before he crossed the Atlantic.
Father DeMont raped, and was
greeted there by a laughing voice
from within Come in, whoever the
hell gives that refined tap to door
in this savage district"
1T is I, friend Hugh" the good
priest answered, entering with
kindly smile.
Father DeMont, I beg your par
don," exclaimed Hugh, who was en-
gagged in cleaning a huge pistol, and
rising hastily he clasped the out
stretched hand of the priest and then
pointed out to him the only seat which
the room contained, a log sawed
smoothly from the~trunk of tree.
This is an unexpected visit, Fa-
ther'
Hugh, do you know the reason I
am here? Do you know the purpose
l had in coming?"
The eyes of the young man uneon-
sciously shifted from the speakers
face, while his lips were drawn into
a straight line, thinking out an an
swer perhaps:
Father, I think l could guess the
reason"
Hugh, it is just five years ago to-
| night that I came here to this little
| colony, and we lit the beacon light
on yon old hill (pointing to the little
log church,. For five successive years
waited for your coming to her
fount of life-giving grace. Every Sun
day morning that hope sprang up
anew, each Sabbath evening it lay
crushed beneath a great disappoint-
ment, you did not come.
eve are giving mission which
ends tomorrow, Hugh. Will you come
and make the mission?"
Il have planned a hunting trip with
a party of Indians for tomorrow, and
I, do not know what they might do if
disappointed them. I cannot prom.
Use, Father DeMont."
Hugh, remember the past grown
misty now, perhaps, with the mist OF
years. Reckless, gay, and restless
years they may have been, since a
mother tenderly carried you to Gods
high altar, and placed you in the arms
of your kind sponsors that you might
become Christian under the banner
of the Cross. In memory of that glad
day come to St. James tomorrow and
renew your baptismal VOWS
Il can't promise tonight. The NOR
row alone will tell"
Il am your pastor, Hugh. If die
not make an effort to bring back into
the fold those who strayed away,
would not be worthy to offer the Di
vine Sacrifice. And during my thirty
years in religion I have never failed
God grant | may not fail now"
Father DeMont arose to go, and the