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THE
‘ BOYS’ AND GIRLS’
at-so-so-u
VV. J. CUNNINGHAM, PUBLISHER,
A%
VOL. I‘.
“AAA
DIVINE PROVIDENCE;
A CATHOLIC TALE. o
FROM THE FRENCH.
“ Cast My lzrwd upon the wafers. and it shall reluni to
thee after man 3; days.”
iii: following story is
an illustration of the
truth, that the A1-
mighty always re-
wards, the good ac-
; tion, and never for-
sakes those that trust
in Him.
A poor young wo-
-man in the town of
4.734 Metz, having lost her
husband soon after
in arriage, was obliged
,” to go into service to
. sj support herself. She
found a situation with
7 an English Catholic
lady, who had come
there in order to con-
I sult an eminent phy-
sician of the town,cclebrated for his success in
curing the complaint which was threatening
her life. Marie was so gentle, so good, and
faithful, that Mrs. Johnson very soon appre-
ciated her as she deserved, and finding that she
wasabout to become a mother, instead of part-
W’
. ing with her, she made ‘every preparation for
her being well cared for in her own house,
promising to‘staiid godmother to the expected
stranger. ‘ Marie Bernis was sincerely attached
to Mrs. Johnson, and regarded this promise as
a booii‘in store for her infant, not that her mis-
tress was rich, for her means were very limited,
but because she was truly pious, for Marie
knew that the prayers of the righteous avail
much, and‘tliat mines of yellow dust are worth-
less I in comparison with the least spiritual
grace.” She trusted that her child, preseiitcd to-g
God-by one who loved and feared llim, would
I: '
J’
PHILADELPHIA, SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1846.
vxxxxvxxvxxxxxgxaxxxxxa . . ..
WEEKLY CATHOLIC MAGAZINE.
104 SOUTH THIRD ST REET.
-xxxpzxxv
NO. 5.
through the eflieacy of her prayers become wise
and virtuous. ‘
At length she gave birth to a healthy boy,
and it was necessary to find a godfather also.
Mrs. Johnson was a stranger in Metz; she
knew several English, but they were not Catho-
lic, and she could think of no better scheme
than asking her physician to stand godfather.
He refused in the iiiost polite and civil manner,
and she was as much at a loss as ever.
The following morning she went as usual to
mass, and chanced to kneel down by a man
whose appearance denoted poverty it is true,
but also extreme cleanliiiess and neatiiess. He
heard the mass with calm, simple, yet intense
devotion, and the thought struck Mrs. John-
son, “Surely this person would be a suitable
godfather foritlie child.” After a little con-
sideration she addressed him, and explaining
the circumstances, the man willingly consented.
The child was baptized next day? , The
stranger was indeed poor, but he would never-
theless present a gift to his little godsou, and
drawing from his pocket a silver medal which
he had brought from Spain (for he was a sol-
dier), he liuiig it round the infant's neck say-
ing, “This medtil, which bears the image of the
blessed Virgin, has saved me in many dangers;
I trust that it will equally preserve this little
creature from all that could hurt, for no one
ever had recourse to Mary without obtaining
her powerful aid. I will never see you again,
little innocent, but the heavenly eyes of your
mother Mary will never close on you.” He
departed, with mueli'difliculty accepting from
Mrs. J a little sum of money which Sh.”
was happy in bcin ableto give. t
Two years weregpassed-Mrs. Jol1nS0n lmd
returned to England, and Mario :="PP0“cfl her‘
self and little Pierre by her S,l(-lll'll'l eiiibroidcfYi
she lived in a small cottage -iii a neighbouring
village, and never went abroad except to church,
or to carry lioiiie her work. ' ‘
The invasion of 1814 tool]; place, andfbrouglit
‘ ' . ears and alarms. '1' ie cottarre 0 Marie,
llll()lllgllt1i!ll(‘)Zll,'i the town, was‘ iii an iinprotected
situatioii, and hearing the roaring of cannon in
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