Willy Burke, or, The Irish orphan in America - Digital Repository ...

184 WILLY BURKE; OR,
teaching of the priests reduced to practice, and that because
they are the expounders of the Divine law, and guide their
people according to its precepts. Well, well would it be
for society—even civil society—were all who profess the
Catholic faith to follow the advice, and practise the lessons
they receive from their priests, as faithfully as does this
humble youth. Perhaps it is not well for me to speak so
before you, Willy", he added, addressing the latter, " nor
would I venture to do so, but that I believe you too firmly
grounded in the maxims of true piety, to be puffed up or
elated by human praise".
" Oh I no, sir !" said Willy, modestly ; "I hope God will
but
never let me forget myself so far as to become proud ;
now there 's no great danger, sir, for I understand very
well that its
to me".
to our holy religion the merit goes, and not
u Well ! well !" said Weimar, " let us go now : come,
Talbot—we
'11 talk of dis anoder time, for I do begin to
tink dat some religion is good, after all ".
u And so think I ", said Dawson, approaching Willy, as
the gentlemen left the room, and he shook his hand
warmly ; "I, too, am convinced that religion is even necessary
for the good of society ;
and this night has confirmed
me in the opinion that the Catholic religion is the best of
all : in fact, the only one that can control the heart and
bend the stubborn will of man !"
" Well", said Willy Burke, as they ascended the stairs
together, " I can 't tell you how glad I am to hear you
gay so ; its such a glorious thing to see a soul coming
back from the way of error into the right road—the road
that leads to heaven. May God grant you the grace to
persevere to the end".