Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1920-07-01
A Footnote For Church History.

OF the great men who have occupied
the chair OF ST. Peters, the most lib
eral minded, genial and bestowed in
modern days was the late Leo XIII, of
happy memory. During his reign oc-
Cured the detection OF Pere Hyecinth,
the Partisan priest. which at one time
threatened 10 withdraw a considerable
part of the Gallican Church. To en-
phasize his departure from Rome and
Its ordinances, the reverend father
took unto himself a wife. which was
duly announced by the journals, and
being placed beneath the notice of good
Pope Leo at his breakfast table, he
good-humoredly exclaimed:
The Lord be praised The renegade
has taken his punishment in his own
hands"
This anecdote was related in a circla
OF friends where was present the Rev
DR.. George Williamson Smith, the re-
tired rector emeritus of Hartfort Col
lege, whose profound learning was sup
plemented by a wide experience i
worldly affairs, by extensive travel
and familiar acquaintance with MANY
OF the celebrities of the old and new
world. Remarking that though the
story was new TO him, he had an i'm
portant sequel to add thereto. He was
on a prolonged visit to Paris at the
time of Father Hyacinth's popularity.
was personally acquainted with him
approving and encouraging him in his
reform movement, which was toward
MS own Anglican faith, and had high
hopes for its success.
In setting UP his family household
rather Hyacinth brought therein a
young disciple whom he was instruct
ing 10 become an assistant and follow
er in his work. But Madame Hyacinth
TOOK different idea of his position
ana duties, ordering him to perform,
some menlal chores, which the Young
man, thinking that the hewinp of wood
ana me building of kitchen fires were
NOT rehglouS exercises and beneath his
dignity, Hatly refused to do-where-
upon ensued a family broil and ebuli-
non OF Gallo temper; and the Young
SlSCiple, in hot, indignant humor
broke forth and into print in a manner
ISnectng no credit on the family altar
VI me good priest. The story was
qu.ckiy seized upon by the journals
Eager 10 Ventilate such gossip for the
vegetation OF the gay Parisians. But
unfortunately the affair brought down
tHe good father from his high Hieht
OF spiritual leadership into the mes
ana mlre of domestic trouble, thereby
Suovertlng and destroying his inan,
ence, so that his audiences and great
concourse of adherents melted suau
as water in sand, and the movement
Suq1G3criy and pitifully collapsed. "
mus the goo dold Pope's humorous
remark became prophecy. with The
moral that connubial infeIicitias
Wnich are as sure as death mi toxes
and NOT conducive or helpful n tbe
ASPIRATIONS of religious reformers md
as IN the realm of frt and liter,ture
poetry. and pot boiling do nor conso.t
so spiritual guidance and leadershir
IN IN religion or morals might well be
Ireed from the clogging and down
dragging trammels of domestic Iife :,
and although the celibacv of the cIeroy
may not meet with entire approval vet
me injunction of the wise Apostle g.
raui concerning marriage. is as
pertinent and applicable to the presen3
gay as in the troublous times when he
pIeached the Evangel of Christianitv
TO the Gentle world. '''S
ST. John RYFp