Painting by by Vincent J.Baptiste Chevilliard.
About a hundred years ago, when the terrible Revolution broke out in France, a certain priest called Father Aurain gave a beautiful example of doing good to one who hated him.
One day he was in the church at his prayers. Suddenly someone ran to tell him that the Republican soldiers were coming towards the church to take him prisoner.
The priest immediately recommended himself to the protection of God, and tried to make his escape through the sacristy into the garden behind the church.
There two of the soldiers met him; they tried to seize him, but, leaping over the wall, he ran in great haste towards the river about a mile distant. The two soldiers also ran after him.
When the priest came to the banks of the river he looked round, and saw that his enemies were still pursuing him. Without delay he leapt into the water and swam safely to the other side. One of the soldiers attempted to follow him. The priest, seeing this, again began to run, and was soon out of danger.
But as he stopped to rest a little on the top of a hill, he thought he heard cries for help proceeding from the direction of the river. He looked round, and one glance told him all. The soldier who had plunged into the river in pursuit was unable to swim, and was being carried away by the stream.
In a moment the good priest retraced his steps, plunged once more into the river, and was soon at the side of the drowning man. He seized him by his hair as he was sinking, and drew him to land.
It was some time before the soldier regained consciousness, but when at length he opened his eyes and saw who it was who had saved him he was filled with amazement.
“Who are you ?” he cried out, thinking that perhaps his senses were deceiving him.
“I am Father Aurain, the priest of Figeac,” was the reply.
“Can it be possible ?” exclaimed the soldier. “I had sworn to take away your life, for I hated you.”
“My child,” replied the priest, “I have never done you any harm; why did you hate me?”
“Because I was told that you hated us and tried to do us all the evil in your power.”
The priest answered, “My child, you have been deceived. What I have now done to you will prove to you that what I say to you is true. You were on the point of perishing while seeking to take away my life, and I have saved you from death. I thank God, Who has given me this opportunity of doing good for evil.”
That soldier afterwards became the priest’s greatest friend.
The Catechism In Examples Vol. II, By the Rev. D. Chisholm Pg. 277-279.
Short Stories on Honor, Chivalry, and the World of Nobility—no. 476
