"So after dinner, I bade farewell to my Indian children and started on my journey with the two boys. "It was a long, tiresome walk. There were no roads. We had to follow a pathway over mountains and valleys, through forests and meadow lands. "When I reached the end of my journey, my clothes were torn in several places by the briers and the brushwood of the forest, and my shoes were worn beyond repair. "I went at once to the tent of the chief; but he was not at home. Then I hastened to the little log church, thinking he might be there. Imagine my astonishment to see all the tribe men, women, and children 66 little church for evening prayer. gathered in the I could hardly believe my eyes. I could not understand it. However, I went on my knees and prayed with them. "When the evening prayers were finished, every Indian present came forth and shook hands with me. They said that they were very glad to see me. “I told them how pleased I was to hear them saying their evening prayers. I then asked how they had learned them. "The chief told me that two little Indian children had taught the whole tribe their morning and evening prayers. "While you were with us, Father, these two children learned the prayers by heart. When you left us, they rang the bell every morning and evening, just as you did; and when the Indians came to the church, they said the prayers just as they had seen you do. "Since that day all the Indians have said morning and evening prayers without fail. 666 Now, dear Father, we wish you would stay with us all the time. We will treat you better than we did when you first came to us.' 66 I told them that I should like to remain with them all the time, but that was impossible. "Will you visit us off and on?' asked the chief. "I promised to come to see them at least once a month. This seemed to please them. A few years later, the whole tribe was received into the Church on the feast of St. Francis Xavier. "But never forget, my little friends, that mostly all this missionary work was done by two little Indian children not much older than yourselves." NOTES AND QUESTIONS Why did the missionary tell this story? Why did he leave his first mission? What did the two boys ask him to do? What do you mean by a Black Robe? When is the feast of St. Francis Xavier? Was St. Francis Xavier a missionary? The noble work of Catholic missionaries should be dwelt upon whenever an opportunity presents itself. Drill on the phrases in this and succeeding lessons. A USEFUL LESSON Prayers and good words within your memory store - REV. MATTHEW RUSSELL, S.J. Between the dark and the daylight, When the night is beginning to lower, I hear in the chamber above me The patter of little feet, The sound of a door that is opened, And voices soft and sweet. From my study I see in the lamplight, Grave Alice, and laughing Allegra, A whisper, and then a silence : Yet I know by their merry eyes They are plotting and planning together |