Chronicles of Notre Dame du Lac
Edward Sorin, CSC -- Translated by John M. Toohey, CSC, 1895

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1842-1843

pg 57        by changing them into strong men.
                  Although not such strangers to the manners and customs of 
             the country, the good Brothers were still far from acting with 
             the liberty of the Americans.
                  The house was sometimes in a state of confusion, but at the 
             same time a truly religious spirit reigned everywhere.  The 
             community was more than once visibly protected.  It is rare that 
             works of the kind undertaken are continued to the end without 
             accident, but there was no such thing as a fall or wound during 
             all this time.
                  Towards the middle of December, when the college was yet 
             filled with pieces of wood and rubbish, fire broke out in a 
             partition on the first story and had even time to make some 
             progress before it was discovered.  Of course in the condition in 
             which things then were, all seemed destined to become the prey of 
             the flames.  Providence was doubtless watching over the house 
             whilst all were sleeping.  The alarm was very great; but after 
             half an hour the danger was arrested by the efforts of the 
             Brothers and the workmen, and all joined in returning thanks to 
             God.