An Episcopal Friend

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 11, 14 March 1907, Page 7

An Episcopal Friend

A notable figure in the episcopate of France about the middle of the last century was Monsignor Sibour, Bishop of Digue. The following authentic incident in his life is as illuminative as would be the lengthiest biography. Having spent the evening on one occasion at the prefecture, he returned to his palace at a late hour. His secretary at once told him that a young woman had called to see him twice during the evening ;_and that, the second time, she appeared so agitated 1 and begged so earnestly to see the Bishop that he had taken it upon himself to bid her wait Monsignor's return. She was now in the reception room. Bishop Sibour, somewhat surprised, sought his visitor, and found her to be the daughter of one of the principal business" men of the town. The young girl threw herself at his feet, weeping distractedly. He raised her, soothed her, and encouraged her to tell him her trouble. Her story was to the effect that unexpected losses had come upon her father, that he had heavy payments to make the following day and could not possibly meet them. In face of this certain dishonor he was so unmanned that has wife and daughter had watched him and discovered that he intended to commit suicide. The girl added that - she had come to seek the Bishop as the only one capable of turning her father -from this fatal step. Ten minutes later the Bishop was at thejlespairing merchant's side. At first the threatened bankrupt denied everything ; but, moved by the prelate's touching exhortations, he speedily confessed that he found it impossible to survive his dishonor. Notwithstanding this statement, however, the words of Monsigjhor Sibour so affected "him that at last he solemnly promised to suffer with courage and put away all thoughts of selfdestruction. When the' Bishop had brought him to this point he asked how large a sum' was needed to tide him over his difficulties. 1 Twenty-five thousand francs,' replied the merchant. 1 Well, take courtage. " Those twenty-five thousand francs L. am possessed of, and I shall give them to you.' - , - - - "One may easily imagine the joy of the afflicted family,- ' and the warmth of their gratitude to the generous prelate. " 1 . Bishop - Sibour attached only one condition , to the gift— that the merchant should preserve absolute silence with . regard to it. " ' 1 ' You understand,' said he, with exquisite delicacy, ' that if you were to speak of it your credit would be injured/ • _^_________ — ___

Master Neal William Macrossan, son of the late Hon. John Macrossan, is the Queensland Rhodes Scholar for 1907. He is 18 years of age, and a distinguished student of the Christian Brothers' College, Nudgee, 0. The Scholarship is worth £900. He goes to Oxford, and intends studying medicine,