The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 4: Acadia and Quebec, 1616-1629
History
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 4: Acadia and Quebec, 1616-1629
Canada -- History -- To 1763 (New France); Indians of North America -- Canada; Jesuits -- Missions; Jesuits -- North America
nevertheless, his father and the Captain of the nation wishes to
see him next year, assuring us that, if he is satisfied, he will
give him to us for some years. It is of importance that he should
be thoroughly satisfied; for, if this child is once instructed,
it will open the way to many tribes where he will be very useful.
And the return of the interpreter of that tribe to France is very
opportune,--the Interpreter whom he loves so much, that he calls
him his father. I pray our Lord to be pleased to bless his voyage.
I also thank Your Reverence for the courage [16] you have given
me. I have read your letters four or five times, and I have not
been able to keep the tears from my eyes for several reasons;
but especially in reflecting upon my imperfections (_coram Deo
loquor_) which are far from the merit necessary for this vocation,
and inspire me with grave fears that I am opposing the purposes of
God's grace in the establishment of Christianity in this country.
After that, I fear nothing. I beseech you, in the name of all
you hold most dear in Heaven, not to become weary in appealing
to the divine goodness, either to do me the favor of removing me
from here, or, if my unworthiness is so great that I must yet be
chastened, let it not be to the disadvantage of our poor Savages;
let not my shortcomings prevent the effects of his mercy, nor my
weak will be a hindrance to the order that his goodness wishes
to establish in this country. Our sympathetic relations with Father
Joseph[26] are stronger than ever. He is the only Priest of his
Order here, one having gone with our Fathers to the Hurons, and the
other now returning to France; he has two good brothers with him.
Mr. Champlain is always very kind to us, and has chosen me as his
confessor. Gaumont has done the same, and I shall take special care
of him, according to the recommendations of your Reverence. The
advice which your Reverence gives me in regard to the dedication
of our first Church, is in thorough harmony with my views. If the
Superiors leave it to me, it will never be otherwise named than
"N. Dame des Anges." Therefore I beg Your Reverence to send us a
beautiful Picture surrounded by Angels. It is one of the great Fête
days of the Recolet Fathers, who have dedicated their Chapel to St.
Charles; the River upon which they and we live is called the river
St. Charles, so called some time before our arrival. As to sending
letters, I think I have not passed over any one, either of our
well-known benefactors or any of those who have written to me; and
I confess to you that I am a little tired; this is the 68th, and it
is not the last. May it please our good God that everything may be
done here for his glory. Our Reverend Father Assistant manifests a
great deal of affection for this Mission; I send him a map of this
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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