True Stories of Conversion The Bishop’ By AN IRISH
i Housemaid CLERGYMAN She was again greatly pleased with what she heard, and the two friends spent much time together in talking over the sermons and searching the Scriptures. The. entrance of God’s Word was gradually giving light, and Kate came to be reluctant to go to confession, and at last abandoned the practice altogether. She continued for some time to attend mass on Sunday morning, but gladly accompanied her friend to the . Presbyterian church in the evening. At last she realized the grand truth that God, for Jesus Christ’s sake, and by virtue of His atoning death upon the Cross, had pardoned all her sins, and that, too, without the absolution of the priest, and without the propitiatory sacrifice of the mass. She felt that she could no longer join in a worship that now seemed, NOT ONLY USELESS, BUT SINFUL It was not long before the facts became known to the parish priest, for no defection from Romanism can long remain unknown. Accordingly, the priest waited upon her to ask why she was not attending to “her religious duties.” She replied that she had ceased to believe in the doctrines of the Roman Catholic church, and did not wish to be considered a Romanist any longer. She was then informed that she had been “born a Roman Catholic, and baptized a Roman Catholic, and a Roman Catholic she must remain!” Moreover, she would not be allowed to attend the Presbyterian church any longer. The priest also required that she should attend confession on the following Saturday. However, she stood firm, and the priest, having threatened her with terrible conse-
K ATE O’DEEE, under-housemaid to a Protestant bishop, was a Roman Catholic, while Helen McGregor, the upper housemaid, was a Presbyterian and an earnest Christian. It happened that a Roman Catholic mission was held in the city, and the Romanists were urged to do all they could to bring Protestants to hear the preachers. Kate naturally thought of the house- maid—with whom she daily came in Contact, and whom she. greatly respected—and invited her to attend the mission. 'Helen answered: ’“Will you go with me to my church if I go with you to the mission?” Kate, feeling that the occasion demanded almost any sacrifice, replied that she would. Accordingly, Helen McGregor attended the mission at the Roman Catholic church, and afterwards talked with Kate of the things she heard there. A few days later, when there was a service at the Presbyterian church, Helen reminded Kate of her promise, asking if she would go with her that evening. Kate agreed to do so, and thus, for the first time in her life, found herself taking part in Protestant worship. On leaving, she said she was very much surprised and pleased at what she had heard, for she had anticipated that the time would be taken up with “abusing the Pope and Roman Catholics.” Helen spoke a good deal about the sermon, and when they were alone in their bedroom she opened her Bible and explained more fully those precious truths which she loved so well. To her surprise and pleasure Kate asked if she might, again accompany her, and from that day became a regular attendant at the Wednesday evening service of the Presbyterian church.
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