The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-09-05

must be His blessing only-that of
the Saviour of mem. Then there was
the low, insistent, warning of sweet
sounding bell as the White Presence
blessed with the Sign of the Cross
the Son of David, the Son of God,
Jesus of Nazareth had passed that
way.
With folded hands and peace of
heart Helen knelt, while the congrega-
ton passed out. AS she rose to fol-
low, lady dressed in mourning came
down the steps from the choir-loft.
The girl was just outside the Church
when some one touched her on. the
arm. "You forgot this, | think an
exquisitely modulated voice said, and
turning, Helen found standing beside
her the lady whom she had noticed
on the previous day as she left the
Church. The lady was holding Helen's
silver purse in her hands, and there
was something very winning and
sweet in the smile with which she
returned to it it's careless owner.
Thank you so much Helen said
gratefully. "You see it is the first
time l have attended Catholic serv-
ice-I just forgot everything else.
And one of the voices was SO beauti-
full
81 am glad you enjoyed it," the
other returned, with an accent of sim
eerity, and something like gladness
showed in her blue eyes. But she
did not say that the voice was her
own.
AS they walked on side by side, an
impulse came to Helen to turn to this
sweet and gracious woman for advice
in the troubles that had come to her.
She felt that the lady was person of
great refinement, who had been
through sorrow herself, SO perhaps
would understand and sympathize
with her. And if she had experienced,
even in her bereavement, peace of soul
in the practice of her Faith, might not
Helen do the same in sorrow?
81 have been thinking seriously of
becoming a Catholic she began slow
Iy, but there are a few inquiries |
would like to make in regard to your
religion. Even if l were acquainted
with your priest I think would feel
shy about asking him these things.
So will you please let me ask them
Of you instead?" al
Surely" the other returned, "and
will answer to the best of my ability,
hough 1 must warn you that in re-
gard to Scripture, while the laity are
encouraged to read it, they are not al
lowed to interpret it.
NO." Helen replied, 81 have no
Scripture difficulties. But have been
told that your Church does not de-
mand a good life of it's members; that
| the most it asks is theyyearly Easter
Duty; that it promises heaven to
those who have made this Duty. Is
| this true?"
A paroxysm as of pain crossed the
elder woman's features. NO." she re
! sponded quickly, mo, it is not true
You see, the Church being universal
is made up of all types and classes
And our Lord Himself said: Il came
| lot to call the just, but sinners to
| repentance" Therefore, the work oil
The Church which He founded is tC
save sinners, and consequently there
must be sinners among it's members
But the Easter Duty is the least we
ean do, and still be Epractical Catho
| nc
aot promise heaven 1t gives them
Christian burial, and it promises hope
for many, perhaps, forlorn hope
but our dear Lords love and mercy
are infinite" Then she bent her head
and her lips moved as though in
prayer.
Thank you," Helen said gently, 81
| think l understand, now. But | have
| not finished yet. In order to embrace
your Faith I must encounter opposi
zion. must give up many things that
are dear to me-, Friends have known
Ill my life will turn away from me
Will your Faith give me peace and
strength in spite of all this?"
EYES," the lady responded gravely
She was silent for a few moments
| and presently when she spoke again
the expression of gladness returned
to her countenance. Il was just try.
ing to imagine what my life would
have been without my Faith" she
explained gently. ''You have made
me consider how much | have to be
thankful for l am going to talk to
you as though l knew you quite we'll
because | realize that we are to be
very good friends. have had great
many trials to bear: all things sweet
and beautiful, as human things go
have failed me, and the one l loved
best in all the world proved himself
unworthy. But through it all my
Faith upheld me, and grew to know
and love, better than ever before, the
dear Christ in His most Blessed Sacra
ment. For it is His way, if we will
only turn to Him, to draw close to
| those in sorrow. No words can tel
how sweet He was to me, when
knelt in grief before His Tabernacle
praying for grace to bear what seemed
impossible to bear. Even when con
ISOLATION was withdrawn, and l did not
feel His gracious Presence, just tc
know that He was there so near
listening, sympathizing - gave me
strength and hope. He will be just
as good to you"
Thank you," said Helen, with deep