Life of St John Vianney.pdf - the Catholic Kingdom!

"What26 THE CURE OF ARS."upon that motto of the saints : In silence and in hopeshall be your Jean Mariestrength."offered neither resistance nor remonstrance ;but on the day fixed for thedeparture of his column, he went to pray in a church. Heforgot the time, and let the hour pass by at which he wasto present himself at the office. When he appeared, hewas loaded with invectives and reproaches by the recruiting-officer,who threatened to send him in chains frombrigade to brigade, till he should reach Bayonne.Some more kindly spirits interposed on his behalf*is the use,"said they, of using force? The poorboy has no idea of deserting, or he would uot have cometo present himself."This reasoning prevailed; and he set out upon hisjourney, having no thought of deserting, but with a sortof conviction on his mind that he should not join hisHe went on his way with a heavycorps.heart and a sadcountenance his ; longing desire for the priesthood andhis intense repugnance to every other career, especiallythat of arms, strengthening with every step he took. Heremembered how, in his peaceful home, he used to pitythe poor young men whom he had seen forced from theirfiresides by the pitiless conscription; he thought withshuddering horrorof the deserters he had seen draggedalong in chains by the soldiers, answering by frightfulcurses the cruelty of their guards. Was his life to bespent among such as these ?To drive away these dark thoughts, he took out hisrosary, and turned to the blessed Mother of God, hisnever-failing refuge in distress. At that very moment astranger accosted him in a tone of great kindness, askingwhither he was going, and why he seemed so sad. JeanMarie told his story.The young man bade him follow