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Lowell, Robert, 1816-1891 [1858], The new priest in Conception Bay [Volume 2] (Phillips, Sampson, and Company, Boston) [word count] [eaf638v2T].
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CHAPTER LXIII. FATHER TERENCE, TO THE LAST.

[figure description] Page 334.[end figure description]

HOW Mrs. Barrè passed the three days in the
house with her dead husband's body, need not be
told, if we could tell it. The burying-day came,
and it was bright,—there was no cloud. People gathered
from every quarter. All the Church-clergy of the Bay
were there, and the Wesleyan ministers:—there are no
others but Roman Catholics. When the procession began
to form from the church, a murmur went through the
multitude; there stood one figure alone outside of the
array. All who were near drew back and left an open
space for him; but he gave no heed to it. This was Father
Terence.

He followed the procession, and, staying without the
inclosure, stood devoutly during the burial of the dead.
When the service was all done, and the crowd were
slowly moving away, he went down the hill alone and
departed.

The Minister was for sometime in the churchyard, and
afterwards a little while in the church; and when at
length he went sadly homeward, as he passed Mrs.
Barrè's house, he turned aside and entered.

“She's at my aunt's,” said Miss Dare; and then
silently put into the Minister's hand a written paper. It

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[figure description] Page 335.[end figure description]

was entitled, “Copy of a hymn in Mr. De Brie's writing,
found on his person, and dated on the night before his
last journey.” It read thus:—



“TO GOD MOST HIGH.
“O, my God, I have but Thee!
Earthly friends are faint and few;
To myself I am not true;
Yet, my Lord, Thou lovest me.
I am poor, and have no more;
But Thy love is in my heart;
Earth shall never tear apart
That which is my hidden store.
Many, many doubts and fears,
I have many woes and cares;
But Thou comest at unawares,
And I see Thee through my tears.
I would never be my own,
Nor on friends my heart-strings twine;
I do seek to be but Thine,
And to love but Thee alone.
Jesus! while Thy cross I see,
Though my heart do bleed with wo,
By those blessed streams I know
Blood of Thine was shed for me.
O, my Lord! Be Thou my guide;
Let me hold Thee by the hand;
Then, in drear and barren land,
I will seek no friend beside.”

Mr. Wellon held the paper long;—that was the last
utterance, to which men were privy, of the heart that was
now dead, unless these words, in his wife's prayer-book
which he had with him, were written later: “I have
found rest!”

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[figure description] Page 336.[end figure description]

“Yes!” said the Minister. Then, thoughtfully, to
himself, “Was this the `Fate,' then, that he spoke of?—
And how is she?” he asked of Miss Dare.

“Bent down, at first; but she'll stand up again bravely
by-and-by.”

“This is no tragedy to her,” said the Minister.

“No; it's a triumph, rather,” Miss Dare answered.

-- 337 --

p638-666
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Lowell, Robert, 1816-1891 [1858], The new priest in Conception Bay [Volume 2] (Phillips, Sampson, and Company, Boston) [word count] [eaf638v2T].
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