The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-05-01

Jrutn IOr myself hereafter. THAT
preacher attempted to explain to me
his language, but my ire was up, and
he thought it best to leave me alone,
was thenceforth numbered among
the lost sheep So you see, Father
what's your name?" IA aNssR
Watson" replied.
eyes, you see, Father, am out of
all churches for good and for all; for
know, now my light shall come from
the Holy Spirit. He shall teach me
here in the quiet of my walks, and
in my chamber. But l am not bigot,
and l believe in every man following
the dictates of his own conscience.
For that reason | want to see those
of your people down at the mines
have their priest. You won't do them
any harm and you may do them some
good"
thanked my friend most graciously,
and promised that as soon as could
do SO | would arrange to have place
in which to say Mass.
'Well, as l am interested in the
mines, and go down there tomorrow,
will tell your people. But when
shall they expect you?"
"As soon as l can secure a place
large enough | said. For as / had
first started the lakewood mission,
had but small room in a private
house where l could say Mass, and
this place was over mile from the
mines.
Would you say your Mass in my
house?' my friend inquired.
This was too sudden, and I almost
| lost my breath. This invitation was
from one who had no use for religious
form or ceremony in general, and the
Catholic form in particular Il should
be glad, Mr.. Pine, to accept your kind
invitation, and shall come out on Tues
day next" 1 replied.
well, come then, and you may be
certain I'll not bother your Mass, nor
shall any of my family. Come and
stay at my house over night if you
care to, and will gather all your peo-
| pie and have them ready on Tuesday
morning about half past five or six
YES" I said, and tell them I shall
hear confessions of any who care to
come"
/ well, you won't have me among
Them was the parting shot from my
newly found apostle, though peculiar
one, I must confess. We babe each
other good evening, and / boarded the
train for my house at Hampton.
John Pine was the subject OF my
thoughts all that night, and the next
day. l saw in him, honesty and sin
cerity. l knew he was one of those
whom Gods grace would not leave un
aided. He was peculiarly brusque
but that trait l love to find in man
Better thousand times than the char
acter too languid to think. He coul(
quote Scripture, verse after verse.
His respect for the Bible was char
acteristic of the entire man. He ha(
, tried every sort of so-called reformed
religions, but found no rest in any O
: them. | saw restless soul seeking
for truth, and knew that soul woulC
assert itself. And above all, | saw
in him a true child of Mary. But
resolved that John Pine should frs
introduce the subject of religion. He
kindly gave me the use of his house
for my people; beyond that could not
nor would not go. The spirit thai
breathed over the waters would
breathe on the soul of John Pine; anG
the Mother of Mercy would plead fol
a child who honored her as did this
one among those who dared to de
throne her. For him | prayed otter
that the Light of athe world might
beam on him, and teach him the way
and the truth.
The following week | went to Oak
wood, and stayed over night at the
house of my friend. We talked Scrip
ture, religions and many things of 8
like nature, my friend, Mr.. Pine, al
ways taking the initiative, for | was
determined to keep to my resolution
not to introduce religion as a topic
. of conversation. We both discussed
Scriptural texts, he agreeing with me
in the Interpretation of some, anG
differing in others.
However, my first evening was very
pleasantly spent, and the hospitality
with which | was received made me
Il feel Quite at home. The next morning
when l awoke, and had prepared fol
Mass, l was delighted to find in the
parlor, besides my regular congrega
ton, about thirty men, their wives
and a few of the older children. Here
j indeed, were many nations, though
one ignorant of the language of the
other, about to worship at the same
altar, about to adore the same God
; There ware Irish, Germans, Poles
Slavs, and a few French; but they
had the sign, the pass word of Christ's
fiock-the sign of the cross. My friend
had the two parlors of his house con
verified into charming little chapel
capable of holding about fifty or more
people. A temporary altar was ar
; ranged, and immaculate linens sup
piled for the service Not member
of the Pine family did see. True tc
his word, Mr.. Pine thought they would
annoy me. If he but knew the joy il