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

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1857

pg 315       be paid anything at all at the time; he had no need of his money, 
             which he would have to put out at interest elsewhere or to deposit 
             in a bank; he had no confidence in any bank and would prefer to 
             leave his money at Notre Dame rather than anywhere else until he 
             should need it.
                  This was not indeed making a present of the amount, but at a 
             time when banks were failing by the dozen because their frightened 
             depositors made a run on them to claim their money, it was a real 
             favor and a sign of great confidence for a German, naturally 
             suspicious, to decline to accept his money when offered him, 
             although he had only a signature without a mortgage on any 
             property.  This is not the ordinary way in which men act; but when 
             God directs them for a special purpose, they do without knowing it 
             what he intends them to do.