Paul's injunction to be all things to all men, mingle
on a footing of equality with men of this world, although they are not
of it."
"Who told you this?" asked L'Isle.
"A learned and traveled priest, whom I lately met with. He delighted
me with his knowledge, while he startled me by the boldness of some of
his opinions."
"But, perhaps," L'Isle persisted, "if left to your own unbiassed
choice, you would not have taken orders at all."
The young man paused, evidently unable to shut out the thought, "Are
there callings, which, without doing violence to my nature, are
compatible with the service of God?" At length he answered, with a
reserve not usual to him, "It is not every man whose way of life is,
or can be, chosen by himself." Then, crossing himself earnestly, as if
stifling the thought, and trampling down the tempting devil within
him, he exclaimed, "I _must_ believe that my instant recovery from
deadly sickness as soon as I was devoted to St. Francis, proves that
he has chosen me for his service and God's."
He said this eagerly and with an air of sincerity, and again made the
sign of the cross. Yet the doubting devil seemed to linger about him,
and he sunk into silence, seeming little satisfied with himself.
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