A MARVEL WROUGHT BY PRAYER.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 5, 31 October 1890, Page 7

A MARVEL WROUGHT BY PRAYER.

The Rev. Charles Charroppin, S J., professor of Astronomy in the University of St. Louis, who was a member of the expedition to the Pacific coast to view the solar eclipse of January 1, 1889, relates an interesting and edifying incident in connection with the work of the party. The place selected for their observations was the village of Norman, near Han Francisco, where a cottage had been placed at their disposal through the generoßity of Senator Bjggs. We give the iDcident in Father Charroppm's own words, in a letter addressed to a relative France. It will all be entirely new to English readers : Our party consisted of five (.stronomers, among whom I was the only Catholic; but my companions— Professors Pritchett, Nipher Engler, and Valle— besides being men of learning, were perfect gentlemen, so that tbe expedition was in every respect agreeable. After our arrival at Norman, there remained only five day's in which to make our preparations. We had to determine exactly our la'itude and longitude, which could be done only by etellar observation. We were obliged to work day and night, and it was only on tbe eve of the eclipse that our astronomical clock was put in working order. 5 That very night tbe weather became cloudy and threatening and the probabilities were that the next day, Jauuarv 1, would be the same. We were very much discouraged. After tiring our brains over mathematical problems and having completed all our preparations, it looked as though a mean little cloud was going to spoil everything. According to tbe calculations we had made, the first contact would take place at twelve o'clock, twelve minutes and fifteen seconds; and the totality of the eclipse. would be?in one hour and a half later. After supper we lit our cigars and chatted about the prospects for the morrow. Not a star could be seen through the clouds, and my companioi s were almost in despair. At last, to give them courage, I told them that we would have a clear B ky for at least the two miDutes of totality. Piofessor Pritchett remarked : '• Father, are you a prophet 1 " "Neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet," I replied. " How, then, can you be so sure about to-morrow ? " asked another. " Gentlemen," said I, " I am fully confident, and I have the beßt of reasons ; but you can ntiiher believe nor understand them " " Will you please tell ua what they are, Father 1 " they all exclaimed. " With pleasure. We hava a good Mother in heaven, whom you Protestants do not know. She has all power with God, and she loves and protecta in an especial manner all who honour her. Well

whenever I am very anxious to obtain a particular favour, I manage to have a goud number of her devoted children unite wi h me in prayer, and she never refuses to grant what we ask. Now, there are at St. Louis hundreds of religious and innocent children who are praying t ) her, and saying, ' D -arest Mother, give Father Charroppin only two minutes of sun." And lam sure that we shall have tuoße two m nut s, for she is a i?<>o 1 kiid Mother." My fellow-aatroaom-rs smiled incredulously, and Professor Pntcuett exclaimed : " Father. I wish that I had your faith ! " Then Professor Kngl r said : " Father, if you are so sure about it, will you agree to walk to Og len " (a distance of five hundred miles) " in case the sky remains cloudy during the whole time of tbe eclipse." " Certainly, " I answered. " I have baen a devoted child of Mary my whole life, and I am sure she will not let me travel five hundred mileß on foot." " Will you sign an agreement to that effect ? " " Gentlemen," said I, -it is not fair hat a contract should be all on one side. I will sign for what you ask of me if you will sign for what I ask." " Well, what is it ? " " If the sky is cloudy, 1 shall walk to Ogden ; but if we have a view of the sun, you promise, on your part, to kneel down and acknowledge the providence of God and the protection of the Blessed Virgin." The contract was accepted and signed by all. Then Professor Eagler esclaimad :— Father, you have burned your ships." Professor Nipher said : " Suppose tha sun does show a little through the clouds, or that there is a kind ot h»zy atmosphere u«ele9B for purposes of observation, will you claim that you have won 1 " I replied : " Our good Mother does not do anything by halves. We shall have a full view of the eclipse. But, mind you, I have only prayed for two minutes. We may possibly lose the first contact on account of the clouds, but I am certain we shall have a clear and beautiful sky during totality." Next morning, the day of tbe eclipse, the sky was covered witn clouds. Breakfast waß served, but remained untouched. We were all disheartened, and at ten o'clock my companions gave up in despair. I left them for a while, and began to say my beads, with this introductory invocation : "Ohjßlessei Vugin Mary, my Mother, your honour is no* at stake I Do not give those unbelievers a chance to say that you have no power," I felt assured th*t my pr.iytr would be henrd, and I tried to encourage my compauions. The time of tbe first contact came but nothing could be seen on account of the c'ouds. My friends were in despair, bat I tried to reassure them, and prevailed upon them to remain at their posts, each one with hia instrument, telling them positively that the clouds would surely disperse when the great moment would come. " Do you think that there are angels coming to sweep away the clouds ? ' aaked Professor Nipher. "That is exactly what I think," said I. " Perhaps your camera will take a picture of those angels ? " " Angels," said I, leave no impress upo& the sensitive plate. But they will be present, all the same." While we were talking in this way Senator Boggs and hi family came up to us, all with looks of disappointment. Tbe moon was encroaching upon the eun's A\ec, and the obscurity became sensible. It was, indeed, an impressive moment, and the dismal light shed on the surrounding couatry was «we-inspiring. But just ten minutes before totality, the clouds dispersed. Then there was a grand outburst of joy. Venus, Jupiter, Mars, and Mercury, all near the Bun, shone forth witb great splendour. A little crescent of the suo remained, and nature seemed plunged id deep mourning. A greenish light appeared, shedding a strange halo over the surrounding mountains. Then the last luminous beam disappeared, and the corona appeared in all its grandeur and glory. A total eclipse of tbe sun ia certamly the most sublime of all the phenomena of nature. At our station it lasted exactly two minutes, and was a perfect success. As soon as it was over, the professor* all rushed at me and shook my hands mon enthusiastically. Professor Pritchett said : •' We will all be Catholics now. We now believe in the Mother of God. This is certainly her work." Whilst they were yet speakiDg the clouds again obscured the sun. We accepted the kind invitation of Senator Boggs to dinner, but I took an early occasion to go and. develop mv photographs, which I found perfect. I told them not to wait for me, as it"" would take an hoar, at least, to complete my work. But they all declared that they would not touch a morsel before I had blessed the table, and everything was sent back to toe kitchen until I should ba ready. After dinner I remarked that therd was a part of the contract to be fulfilled. At once all knelt down, ani we thanked the Blessed Virgin fur the wonderful sign of her patronage. Professor Nipher said it was the first time in hia life thit he got on hia knees. Next day we packed up and lef i for home. I have hopes for my companions. Pray for them.

(From the Aye Maria )