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

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1853

pg 186       which he was placed, it will be easy to understand how he allowed 
             himself to be surprised by the spirit of falsehood, and that he 
             had let himself be blinded in a manner that he discovered only by 
             degrees, to deplore it bitterly for the rest of his life.  If he 
             sums it up here, it is not to palliate his fault, but rather for 
             the instruction of those that will come after him.
                  He was called to Bengal, to a dignity of which he does not 
             think himself worthy; his entire house, even bishops tell him that 
             if he leaves his post the house will be ruined; a member of the 
             Society promises in writing that if he stays he will give him his 
             fortune (more than a million); and at the same time he thinks he 
             sees in the nomination of a Father to the superiorship a formal 
             act of contempt of the Mother House in return for the information 
             supplied.  He persuades himself that to remain at his post is not 
             only allowed him, but is to the advantage of the whole 
             Association; and to guard against remorse of conscience, he lays 
             the matter before his Bishop to obtain a dispensation from his 
             vow of obedience.
                  It is surprising that he fell under the weight of so many and 
             such specious considerations!  But that the hand of God did not