The following anecdote was related to the Weekly Begister by a priest. We publish it as an illustration, of the extraordinary hoid which Fenianism has, in some instances, most unfortunately obtained over the minds of people who were formerly most religious and obedient to the Church. The clergyman who related the story was one day sent for by an Irish laborer who was on his deathbed. Before proceeding to hear his confession, the priest asked him whether he was a member of any secret society, The man said he was; he was a Fenian. "Then," said the priest, "I cannot hear your onfession or administer the last sacraments to you unless you promise solemnly that, if God spares your life, you will abandon Fenianism. ;> The man said he would give no such promise, and the priest went away. In a few hours he returned, and found the man much worse. He a^ain urged him to give the required promise ; the man was still obstinate, and again the priest left him. A third time he returned, and found the sick man almost speechless. The priest asked him merely to make some sign to the effect that he consented; if his life was spared, to renounce Fenianism. Hardly able to speak, the man pulled the priest's coat until he got the ear of the latter close to his own mouth, and then whispered, grasping for breath as he spoke, "Father, 1 would rather go to h for the cause of Fenianism, than to heaven for the sake of religion." He then fell back on his pillow and died. Horrible as the tale reads, it is, we are sorry to say, but too true.
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Bibliographic details
Grey River Argus, Volume VI, Issue 366, 19 May 1868, Page 3
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281Untitled Grey River Argus, Volume VI, Issue 366, 19 May 1868, Page 3
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