The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-11-29
TIE FINGER OF GOD

a mere MANI" came from a tOW-head-
ed, sparkling-eyed student as he
haughtily confronted his chum and
roommate, Tom Ryan. 81 tell you,
Joe, you're not confessing to a mere
man in the Confessional, but to one
who is representative of God" was
the, now, oft-repeated answer from a
dark-haired and thoughtful, slow-but-
sure individual
BY this and similar questions Joe
Winter had lately evinced an inclina-
tion toward Catholicism, but it was
evident from this oft reiterated ques-
ton that the Confessional was his
stumbling block. He had been Toms
intimate friend from early childhood
and the fact that they now we're the
Varsity battery, Tom the "twirler'
and Joe the receiver further
strengthened the intimate friendship
which existed between these college
chums of such diverse characters and
dispositions.
Heretofore Joe had been too viva
cious to ever consider anything seri-
ously, but now strange curiosity re-
garding religion gripped him. 1t was
the first of February, and the annual
retreat was to begin in few days.
Non-Catholic students were not
obliged to attend the various exer-
cises, so during the last retreat Joe
had remained in undisturbed leisure
in his room occupying his time in
| I11 inho ho h.
Book and in reality voraciously de-
vouring the contents of host of mag
aZines, while Tom promptly and joy
fully attended the exercises of the
retreat. Nor was Toms example
without effect upon his roommate who
had observed him closely. Imagine
his surprise when upon leaving his
room to attend the opening exercise,
to hear Joe call after him-"Wait a
minute, Tom, think I'll go over to
the chapel with you" "What?" in
credulously stammered Tom. 81 said,
wait second and I'll be with you.
''You don't mean that you are going to
make the retreat?" ventured Tim.
why not?' chuckled Joe, enjoying
his friends discontinue. well then,
hurry up or else we'll be late" was
the response of the still doubling
Thomas"
Thus it happened that the two in
separates attended every exercise of
the retreat, much to the inward de-
| light and pleasure of Ryan who was
so elated over the prospects of con-
verting his friend Joe. This incident
corning the doctrines and practices of
the Catholic Church, but this religious
zeal was only ephemeral The all alb
sorbing baseball season soon came and
upon its arrival, vivacious Joe forgot
religion at least outwardly, but in
wardly it was far different Tom de-
termined to become another st. Paul,
by praying for his friends conversion,
| but Joe's mind became more and more
obscured in spiritual darkness and
doubt. How Tom Ryan prayed; how
he longed that his bosom friend would
see the true Light and follow it; but
no, the expectation of seeing his
prayer answered on Commencement
Day, was but one of the many disap-
! pointments which he had experienced
concerning his most intimate friend.
His departure from sacred college
days and the separation from Joe
Winter are thoughts too sacred for
words.
Five years have now flown over the
heads of the erstwhile inseparables,
| for the fifth time Commencement Day
at their Alma Mater has come and
Convocation and Glass Day, and the
fifth time the great wheel of time has
slipped into the depths of winter and
risen again into the happy spring and
glowing summer, almost with a rush
so swift is the cycle of seasons and
times"
Tom Ryan is now ordained and
faithfully fulfilling the duties of his
high calling, as curate in the prosper
Gus city of Wallingford, and through
all these years he always kindly re-
membered his college chum; during
his seminary days in his prayers and
now in the Holy Sacrifice.
DR.. Joseph Winter is now success
full practitioner in the young yet thriv-
ing town of Sheffield. The sparkling
eyed student of few years ago is
now religious indifferentist.
Although constant contact with
many of his kind has strengthened
him in his absurd folly, yet somehow
he has at times felt that he was not
in the right atmosphere" And
though wealthy he was for some rea-
son unhappy.
Early one beautiful May morning
as Dr. Winter was returning from a
professional visit to an out-of-town
patient, he took advantage of this OPP
portunity to indulge in the beautiful
scenery of surrounding country. While
slowly riding along his mind occupied
with thoughts of college days, his at
tention was arrested by a peculiar
looking object by the roadside. Ever
alert to matters concerning his pro-
fession he quickly alighted and ap-
preached, and to his surprise found
that the object of his solicitude was
an unfortunate tramp. The flushed
face and agonizing groans of the
derelict soon convinced the doctor
that this was no usual case and upon
| further examination it was found that