jesse gomez

The Priest and
the Soldier


About one hundred years ago, when the terrible Revolution
broke out in France, a certain priest gave a beautiful example
of doing good to one who hated him.

One day he was in the Church at his prayers. Suddenly
someone ran to tell him that the Republican soldiers were
coming towards the Church to take him prisoner. They tried
to seize him, but rushing out, he ran in great haste towards
the river, about a mile distant. The two soldiers also ran
after him.

Without delay he leapt into the water, and swam safely to
the other side. One of the soldiers attempted to follow him. The
priest, seeing this, again began to run, and was soon out of
danger. But as he stopped to rest a little on the top of a hill,
he tought he heard cries for help proceeding from the direction
of the river. He looked round, and one glance told him all.

The soldier who had plunged into the river in pursuit was
unable to swim, and was being carried away by the stream. In
a moment the good priest retraced his steps, plunged once more
into the river, and was soon at the side of the drowning man.
He seized him by his hair as he was sinking and drew him to
land.

It was some time before the soldier regained consciousness;
but when at length when he opened his eyes and saw who it was
that had saved him, he was filled with amazement. All the priest
said was: "You were on the point of perishing while seeking to
take away my life, and I have saved you from death. I thank
God, who has given me this opportunity of doing good for evil."
That soldier afterwards became the priest's greatest friend.
--Chisholm.

Taken from: Stories from the Catechist (pg 140)
Compiled by: Very Rev. Canon G.E. Howe
Imprimatur: Edm. Canon Surmont, Vicar General Westminster
Published by: http://www.TanBooks.com
Copyright: Original 1898