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

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1853

pg 183            F. Sorin, who from the first had been held back by the fear 
             of injuring the Association which he had not ceased to love, was 
             arrested by the thought of the consequences of a dispute wherein 
             every evil passion would be brought into play, to the great 
             scandal of the faithful and to the injury of both the belligerent 
             parties.
                  Up to this time, F. Sorin had been sincere and honest in his 
             opposition.  He had wished to save the Association in the United 
             States.  But when he saw the direction that things were taking, he 
             yielded, and sooner than publicly raise the standard of revolt 
             against the Mother House, he asked himself, whilst reciting his 
             beads, if now, when Sainte Croix knew everything, it would not be 
             more religious to surrender at discretion and to leave to God the 
             consequence of a step that he could no longer defer without 
             involving the whole Work in an atmosphere of scandal that would 
             not be easily dissipated.  Doubtless He that changes the hearts of 
             men disposed that of the Father in question to give a favorable 
             reception to this inspiration.
                  At nine in the evening, at an hour when perhaps he was 
             farthest from expecting any results for his long efforts, F. 
             Chappe is requested to come down to F. Sorin's room.  What must 
             have been his surprise and joy when he heard the latter read, 
             tears in his eyes, two pages which he had just written to the 
             V.R.F. Rector, begging him to forget the past, and placing himself 
             at his disposal, without condition and without reserve.
                  The reading was followed by truly fraternal embraces.  Peace 
             was consummated.  The conditions were left entirely to the good 
             will of the conqueror, F. Sorin being ready to accept them all, 
             even if it should cost him his expulsion from the Society.  The 
             only favor that he took the liberty of asking was that his 
             councilors should not be troubled, who, in his opinion, did not 
             deserve the censure of Sainte Croix.
                  Five months later, F. Sorin, in writing these pages, could 
             hardly refrain from weeping at the thought of the miraculous
             change of which he was the object.
                  The proceed to the Mother House the following month, 
             subscribe cheerfully to all the the Rev. F. Rector required to 
             him, to have his Chapter dissolved, the professions made in the 
             mean time declared null, and he himself named assistant to R.