CHAPTER FIRST.
OF THE SENTIMENTS OF AFFECTION WHICH MANY PERSONS OF MERIT ENTERTAIN FOR NEW FRANCE.
I KNOW not what success the affairs of New France will have, nor when we shall see its doors opened wide to the Gospel; but I know [8] well, nevertheless, that it is God who directs this enterprise. Nature has not arms long enough to reach the point to which this has attained; she loves too well material interests to bring together so many hearts and so many affections in the pursuit of a good of which she has no knowledge. To forsake one's parents and one's friends, to relinquish one's associates, to go forth from one's native land, so sweet and so refined; to cross the seas, to dare the Ocean and its storms, to give up one's life to sufferings, to abandon present advantages that one may launch out into hopes remote from one's vision, to convert the business of earth into that of heaven, to be willing to die in the midst of Barbarism,—is a language which is not spoken in the school of nature. Such deeds go beyond her range, and yet they are the deeds and language of a thousand persons of merit, who are devoting themselves to the affairs of New France with as much and more of courage than they would give to their own in the Old. I do not see nor can I understand all that leads to this design; they speak to me but once a year about these matters, and then upon a piece of paper, which is like [9] those mutes of the grand Seigneur, who talk without saying a word. Yet I can say,—seeing so much fire, so much zeal, so much holy love, in persons so different in age, in sex, in condition, and occupation,—that none other than a God can cause these thoughts, can kindle these coals, which are fed only by the aromatic woods of Paradise. I say nothing of the tender and noble desires of our great King for the conversion of these Tribes; it is for this purpose that he has established the Company of New France, honored it with his favor and with many important Privileges. Nor do I speak about the attentions of Monseigneur the Cardinal; it is enough to say that he has become Head of this honorable Company, and that he has uplifted, sustained, and animated this grand enterprise, which cannot be attacked without touching the apple of his eye. The Duke d'Anguien,[13] eldest son of Monseigneur the Prince, honoring me with a word from his own hand, assured me last year that he had high esteem for us, and that we should see the effects of it in proportion as God should [10] grant him the favor of added years. I thanked our Lord for already having inspired this young Prince with these good intentions of serving him, the more gladly as he has a mind well qualified to fulfill them. I know from good authority and without flattery that he showed this so admirably, during the course of his studies, in the opinion of those who saw him engaged in them, that his character will always render him worthy of respect among those who shall know him. God be praised! The whole sky of our dear Native Land promises us favorable influences, even to this new star, which begins to shine among those of the first magnitude.
Personne ne peut ignorer, que Monsieur le Marquis [226] de Gamache, est le principal appuy de nostre Mission. I'ay appris cette année qu'il a receu lettres de Fondateur d'vn College en la Nouuelle France: nostre R.P. General me l'a ainsi récrit, & de l'heure que ie parle on a presenté mille & mille sacrifices à sa diuine Majesté, dans toute l'estenduë de la terre où se répand nostre Compagnie, pour la prosperité de sa Maison, [11] & pour le bon succez de ce dessein. Nous auons commencé à enseigner dés l'année passée: le Pere Lallemant, & puis apres le Pere de Quen ont instruit nos petits Francois, & moy quelques petits Sauuages. Nous nous étonnons de nous voir desia enuironnez de tant de ieunesse, en ces commencemens.
No one can be ignorant that Monsieur the Marquis de Gamache is the chief support of our Mission.[59] I have learned this year that he has been acknowledged as Founder of a College in New France; our Reverend Father General has written me also to this effect; and at this writing thousands of holy masses have been offered up to his divine Majesty, throughout the whole extent of the earth where our Company is scattered, for the prosperity of his House, [11] and for the good success of this plan. We began last year to teach; Father Lallemant, and afterwards Father de Quen, instructed our little French boys, and I some little Savages. We wonder to see ourselves already surrounded by so many children, in the very beginning of our work.
I'apprends que quelque personne beniste du ciel pense à fonder vn Seminaire de petits Hurons; ô la sainte pensée! c'est de ces ieunes plantes qu'on doit esperer de bons fruicts. Dieu soit à iamais beny du soin qu'il a de cette nouuelle Colonie, la fauorisant du secours de personnes qui cherissent ces pauures barbares, beaucoup plus qu'ils ne se sont iamais aymez eux-mesmes.
I learn that some one, blessed of heaven, thinks of founding a Seminary for young Hurons. Oh, holy thought! it is from these young plants that one is to expect good fruits. God be forever blessed for the care he takes of this new Colony, favoring it with the aid of persons who cherish these poor barbarians far more than they have ever loved themselves.
Ie ne voulois pas quasi parler de Messieurs les Associez de cette Compagnie: car ce n'est pas merueille s'ils ont de l'amour pour vn pays, dont le Roy les a fait Seigneurs: mais cette amour en la plus saine partie de leur corps, me semble si épurée, que ie suis ioyeux & confus tout ensemble de voir vn dégagement aussi grand en des personnes attachées au monde par leur condition, [12] qu'on en trouueroit dans vne ame éloignée de presence, & d'affection, des ennuis & des tracas de la terre: ie ne parle point par cœur, ces Messieurs m'ayant fait l'honneur de m'écrire par la main de Monsieur l'Amy leur Secre[tai]re, me confondent [228] en ces termes. La lettre qu'il vous a pleu nous escrire, a tellement satisfait nostre Compagnie, que nous confessons tous, que nos peines, & nos soins, ont déja receu leur recompense. Ce que nous faisons pour la Colonie de la Nouuelle France, peut bien estre recommandable à cause du zele au seruice de Dieu, & de l'affection que nous auons au soulagement des hommes: mais d'auoir là dessus l'aide & la consolation de ceux qui sont les Maistres experimentez en ces vertus, c'est estre payez dés l'entrée, & receuoir son salaire entier pour le trauail des premieres heures de la iournée. Le remerciment que vous nous faites vaut beaucoup mieux, que tout ce que nous auons fait; mais il conuiendroit bien à ce que nous desirons faire, quand Dieu nous aura donné la grace de l'executer.
I had hardly intended to speak of the Associated Gentlemen of this Company; for it is not strange that they have some affection for a country over which the King has made them Lords; but this love, in the most important members of their body, seems to me so pure that I am at once rejoiced and confounded to see as great disinterestedness in persons, attached to the world by their position, [12] as one would find in a soul far removed from the scenes and affections of earth, from its cares and confusion. I do not speak by rote; these Gentlemen, having done me the honor of writing to me by the hand of Monsieur l'Amy,[60] their Secretary, put me to the blush in these terms: The letter which it has pleased you to write us has satisfied our Company to such a degree, that we all acknowledge that our efforts and our cares have already received their reward. What we do for the Colony of New France may indeed be commendable, by reason of our zeal in the service of God, and our desire to aid our fellow-men; but to have therein the sympathy and the help of those who are experienced Masters in these virtues is to be rewarded from the beginning, and to receive one's full remuneration for the work of the first hours of the day. The gratitude which you express to us, is worthy of much more than all that we have done; but it would suit well what we desire to do when God shall have given us the grace to perform it.
Voila les propres mots de leur lettre: ce n'est pas tout, apres auoir tesmoigné que leurs plus grands desseins ne tendent [13] qu'à la gloire de nostre Seigneur, ils se resiouyssent d'estre deliurés de l'importunité d'vn homme dont il a fallu lier les mains auec des chaisnes d'or: Et encor que cela nous couste beaucoup, disent-ils, si est-ce que nous estimons y avoir gaigné, puis que personne ne peut plus pretendre aucun droit sur la Nouuelle France, & que nous la pouuons dedier toute entiere à Dieu par vostre sainct ministere. Ne pouuant encherir sur ces pensées, & sur ces affections, ie ne diray qu'vn mot à ces Messieurs; que s'ils font les affaires de Dieu, Dieu fera les leurs, qu'ils ne perdront rien au change, s'ils poursuiuent dans ces genereux desseins, & qu'ils sement des benedictions que leurs enfans recueilliront en la terre & au Ciel. Voila les sentimens de Messieurs les Directeurs & Associez de cette honorable Compagnie.
These are the very words of their letter. This is not all; after having testified that their greatest purposes aim [13] only at the glory of our Lord, they rejoice to be delivered from the importunity of a man whose hands it has been necessary to bind with chains of gold. And although that costs us much, they say, yet we consider that we have gained thereby, since no one can longer claim any right over New France, and we can offer it entire to God through your holy ministry.[61] Being able to add nothing to such thoughts and feelings, I will say to these Gentlemen but one word, that if they attend to the interests of God, God will attend to theirs; that they will lose nothing in the exchange, if they continue in these generous purposes; and that they are sowing blessings which their children shall reap upon the earth and in Heaven. Such are the sentiments of Messieurs the Directors and Associates of this honorable Company.
Ie suis fasché que des personnes grandes en vérité [230] deuant les yeux de Dieu & des hommes, me lient si fort les mains, & m'obligent à garder le secret de leurs lettres, ou plustost de leurs vertus; ils dérobent aux yeux de la France les tendres & fortes affections qu'ils ont pour [14] la gloire de nostre saincte foy dans l'étenduë de cette Barbarie, se contentans d'en donner la veuë à celuy auquel il ne la sçauroient cacher. Ie parle de personnes employées dans les premieres charges du Royaume: l'vn d'eux embrasse tout le païs, il a soin & des François & des Sauuages, & fait du bien à tous. Vn autre va protestant qu'il s'est voulu interesser dans cette Compagnie, non pour l'esperance d'aucun lucre, mais pour l'amplification du Royaume de Dieu. Voici quelques paroles tirées de l'vne de ses lettres addressée à quelque personne qui me l'a cõfidemment communiquée: I'ay interest de sçauoir des nouuelles du pays, par le desir que i'ay de l'aduancement de la Religion. C'est l'vnique raison, à ce qu'il asseure, qui l'a meu de s'allier de ces Messieurs: & plus bas il dit que les plus grandes villes & les plus celebres ont commencé par vn ramas de vagabons, & que nous auons icy cét aduantage qu'il y a des gens de bien parmy nous, Que le plus grand soin qu'on y doit auoir, est que Dieu soit seruy fidellement, qu'on verra vn notable changement quand la Compagnie generale entrera dans l'entiere [15] administration des affaires, la resolution estant de laisser tout le profit pour ameliorer le pays, & y faire passer grand nombre de François, sans rien rapporter d'vn long temps entre les Associez du profit qui prouiendra de la Nouuelle France. Voila parler en homme des-interessé: les inclinations de la nature ne nous incitent point à transporter en vn pays barbare les vtilitez dont nous pouuõs iouyr dans vn Royaume [232] bien policé. Disons donc que ces mouuemens secrets viennent des ressorts de la sacrée prouidence du grand Dieu, qui semble auoir de grands desseins pour tant de pauures Peuples abãdonnez depuis vn si long temps. Voicy ce que d'autres Associez me mandent: I'espere que le secours qu'on vous enuoye fera augmenter la moisson: c'est la principale fin qu'ont ceux qui se meslent de cét affaire, ie voudrais auoir autant de pouuoir que i'ay d'affection pour l'aduancement de la gloire de Dieu en ce pays, & pour la conuersion de ces pauures Sauuages. Vn autre me tient ce discours: Il y a apparence que nostre Compagnie continuant son trafic sans fortune, vostre colonie pour le spirituel s'augmentera de plus en plus; l'intention de la plus part des [16] interessez d'icelle n'a esté à autre dessein, que pour ayder à la conuersion de ces pauures Sauuages; ce qui ne peut estre faict sans vos peines, trauaux & grandes incommoditez, voire de vostre vie.
I regret that some persons, great, in truth, in the eyes of God and of men, bind my hands so tightly, and oblige me to keep the secret of their letters, or rather of their virtues; they conceal from the eyes of France the tender and strong desires they feel for [14] the glory of our holy faith throughout the extent of this Savage Land, contenting themselves with revealing them to him from whom they could not conceal them. I speak of persons employed in the highest offices of the Realm; one of them is in charge of the whole country, concerning himself with both the French and the Savages, and does good to all. Another protests that he is willing to interest himself in this Company, not through the hope of any gain, but for the extension of the Kingdom of God. Here are some words taken from one of his letters addressed to a person who has communicated it to me in confidence: I am interested in hearing news of the country, through the desire which I have for the advancement of Religion. This is the only reason, as he asserts, that induced him to ally himself with these Gentlemen. Farther on, he says that the largest and most celebrated cities have begun with a rabble of vagabonds; and that we have here this advantage, that there are honest people among us; that the greatest care that one must have here is, that God be faithfully served. There will be seen a notable change when the general Company shall enter into the complete [15] administration of affairs,—the determination being to disregard all gain, in order to better the condition of the country and to send over a large number of French people, without the Associates receiving for a long time any of the profit which shall accrue from New France. See how a disinterested man speaks of it! The inclinations of nature do not incite us to transfer to a barbarous land the advantages which we can enjoy in a well-governed Realm. Let us say then that these hidden impulses come from the springs of the sacred providence of the great God, who seems to have grand purposes for so many poor Peoples, abandoned for so long a time. Here is what other Associates write me. I hope that the aid which is sent you will cause the harvest to increase; that is the chief aim which those have who interest themselves in this matter. I wish I had as much power as I have desire for the advancement of the glory of God in this country, and for the conversion of these poor Savages. Another writes to me as follows: There is likelihood that, while our Company continues its business without gain, your colony in spiritual matters will increase more and more. The intention of the greater part of those [16] interested in it has been for no other purpose than to aid in the conversion of these poor Savages, which cannot be done without your sufferings, toils, and hardships, nay, even at the peril of your life.
Ie n'aurois iamais faict, si ie voulois recueillir tout ce qu'escriuent sur ce suiet vn grand nombre de personnes, dont la modestie me condamne au silence, autant que leur bon exemple m'obligeroit à en parler, si ie ne craignois de les offenser: c'est pour cette raison que ie me tais sur les saincts desirs de plusieurs Religieux, sur les fortes affectiõs qu'ont vn tres grand nombre de nos Peres, de venir trauailler en cette nouuelle vigne de nostre Seigneur, & défricher cette Barbarie: il est vray que ces volontez de viure & mourir en la Croix de Iesvs, sont conformes à leur profession; mais c'est chose bien plus estonnante de voir des hommes attachez comme de grandes intelligences aux plus hautes spheres des affaires du monde, se délasser dans les soins de la Nouuelle France, tant ils la cherissent. Bien plus, il se trouue des Dames [234] qui veulent partager cette gloire auec eux, surmontant l'infirmité [17] de leur sexe par la generosité de leur courage.
I should never finish were I to review all that is written on this subject by a great number of persons, whose modesty condemns me to silence as much as their good example would oblige me to speak, if I did not fear to offend them. It is for this reason that I say nothing about the holy wishes of many Religious, and the strong desires which a great number of our Fathers have to come to work in this new vineyard of our Lord, and to clear this land of Barbarism. It is true that these desires to live and to die in the Cross of Jesus are in keeping with their profession; but it is a thing much more astonishing to see men who are engaged, because of their great abilities, in the highest spheres of the affairs of the world, take their recreation in working for New France, so dearly do they love her. Much more, there are found some Ladies who wish to share this glory with them, rising above the weakness [17] of their sex through the generosity of their courage.
Ie cherchois l'an passé vne ame courageuse qui peût arborer le grand estendart de la charité en ces contrées: ce grand Dieu des bontez y a pourueu. I'apprends que Madame de Combalet y veut mettre la main, & fonder vn Hospital en la Nouuelle France. Voicy comme il luy a pleu m'en donner aduis. Dieu m'ayant donné le desir d'aider au salut des pauures Sauuages, apres auoir leu la Relation que vous en auez faicte, il m'a semblé que ce que vous croyez qui puisse le plus seruir à leur conuersion, est l'establissement des Religieuses Hospitalieres dans la Nouuelle France; de sorte que ie me suis resoluë d'y enuoyer cette année six ouuriers, pour défricher des terres, & faire quelque logement pour ces bonnes Filles. Ie vous supplie de vouloir prendre soin de cét establissement: i'ay prié le P. Chastelain de vous en parler de ma part, & de vous declarer plus particulierement mes intentions: si ie puis contribuer quelque autre chose pour le salut de ces pauures gens, pour lesquels vous prenez tant de peine, ie m'estimeray bien-heureuse. Là dessus que diray-ie autre chose, si ce n'est que [18] tout le Ciel presente deuant le throsne de Dieu ces sainctes pensées, ces grandes resolutions, & que tous les Anges redoublent leurs Cantiques d'honneur & de loüanges pour vne si saincte entreprise; ce sont les actions de graces que nous faisons à cette illustre Dame, au nom de tous les saincts Anges gardiens de ces pauures Barbares, qui ne sçauroient comprendre la grandeur de l'amour qu'on leur porte. Ie leur ay faict entendre qu'vne grande Dame alloit faire dresser vne grande maison, où on receuroit tous leurs malades, [236] qu'on les coucheroit dans de bons lits, qu'on les nourriroit delicatement, qu'on leur donneroit des medecines & des onguens necessaires pour les guerir, & qu'on ne leur en demanderoit aucune recompense. Ils me respondent auec estonnement, que cela va bien: mais neantmoins ie cognois par leurs sousris, qu'ils ne croiront point ce miracle que par les yeux. En vn mot, ils ne sçauroient comprendre la grandeur de cette charité; suffit que le Dieu des cœurs, qui fait germer cette saincte pensée dans vn bon cœur, voit son diuin ouurage, & y prend [19] plaisir; certes il n'y a rien si puissant que cette inuention pour attirer ces pauures Barbares, voire mesme pour peupler parmy eux des seminaires de garçons & de filles. Nostre Seigneur soit beny dans les temps, & dans l'eternité.
I sought last year a brave soul who might plant the great standard of charity in these lands; the mighty God of bounties has provided one. I learn that Madame de Combalet wishes to put her hand to the work, and found a Hospital in New France.[62] See how it has pleased her to inform me of it: God having given me the desire to aid in the salvation of the poor Savages, it has seemed to me, after reading the Account which you have written of it, that what you consider can best serve for their conversion is the establishment in New France of Hospital Nuns. I have therefore resolved to send thither this year six workmen, to clear some land and to construct a lodging for these good Sisters. I entreat that you will take care of this establishment. I have asked Father Chastelain to speak to you about it for me, and to explain to you my plans more in detail. If I can do anything else for the salvation of these poor people, for whom you take so much trouble, I shall consider myself happy. With regard to that, what shall I say, save that [18] all Heaven presents before the throne of God these holy thoughts, these noble resolutions; and that all the Angels redouble their Chants of honor and praise for so holy an undertaking. These are the thanks that we render to this illustrious Lady, in the name of all the holy guardian Angels of these poor Barbarians, who cannot comprehend the greatness of the love that is felt for them. I informed them that a great Lady was about to erect a large house, where all their sick would be received; that they would be laid on soft beds, and daintily fed; that they would be supplied with the medicines and ointments needed for their cure, and that no pay would be required for them. They answer me with astonishment that that is good; but, nevertheless, I know by their smiles that they will believe this miracle only with their eyes. In one word, they cannot understand the greatness of this charity; it is sufficient that the God of hearts, who causes this holy thought to spring up in a pious heart, sees his divine work and takes [19] pleasure therein. Verily there is nothing so powerful as this device to win these poor Barbarians, nay, even to fill among them the seminaries for boys and girls. Our Lord be blessed, through time and through eternity.
Si ie m'engage plus auãt dans les sentimens de deuotiõ qu'vne infinité d'ames sainctes, qu'vn tres-grand nombre mesme de Religieuses nous tesmoignent auoir pour l'amplification de la foy en la Nouuelle France, ie passeray de beaucoup la iuste grandeur d'vn Chapitre; mais n'importe la charité couure tout. I'apprends qu'en l'Eglise de Mont-martre, lieu si sacré pour les despoüilles de tant de Martyrs, & par la presence de tant d'ames espurées, les Religieuses font à leur tour oraison iour & nuict pour solliciter & forcer le Ciel à respandre ses sainctes benedictions sur nos trauaux. Les Carmelites sont toutes en feu: les Vrsulines remplies de zele: les Religieuses de la Visitation n'ont point de paroles assez significatiues pour témoigner leur ardeur. Celles de Nostre Dame coniurent qu'on leur donne part aux souffrances qu'il faut subir parmy [20] ces Peuples; & les Hospitalieres [238] crient qu'on les passe dés l'année prochaine. La nature n'a point de souffles si sacrez, qui puissent allumer ces brasiers: ces flammes prouiennẽt d'vn feu tout diuin, d'vn feu increé & subsistant. Nous vous portons plus d'enuie, que de compassion dans vos souffrances, écriuent quelques vnes. Nous vous accompagnons de nos petites prieres, particulierement vers la saincte Vierge, à qui nous sommes dediées, & vers nostre Pere sainct Ioseph, & nostre Mere saincte Terese, & aux Anges du pays où vous estes, afin que leurs forces & leur puissance soient auec vous. O le grand secours! S'il estoit ausst facile, dit vn autre, de bastir vn Conuent de Carmelites, que de dresser vne Cabane de Sauuages, & que nous eussions autant de pouuoir, que d'impuissance & de foiblesse, vous trouueriez des à present grand nombre de Sœurs tres disposées de vous aller ayder.
If I were to occupy myself further with the sentiments of devotion manifested by a multitude of pious souls, and by a very great number even of Nuns, for the extension of the faith in New France, I would considerably exceed the proper length of a Chapter; but no matter, charity covereth all. I learn that in the Church of Mont-martre,[63] a place sacred as the depository of so many Martyrs and by the presence of so many purified souls, the Sisters take turns praying, by day and by night, to solicit and to constrain Heaven to bestow its holy benedictions upon our labors. The Carmelites are all on fire; the Ursulines are filled with zeal; the Nuns of the Visitation have no words significant enough to show their ardor; those of Nostre Dame implore permission to share in the sufferings which must be undergone among [20] these Peoples; and the Hospitalieres insist that they be brought over here next year.[64] Nature has no breath sacred enough to light these fires; these flames arise from a fire all divine, from an increate and living fire. We bear you more envy than compassion in your sufferings, write some of them. We accompany you with our feeble prayers, particularly to the holy Virgin, to whom we are dedicated, and to our Father, saint Joseph, and our Mother, saint Theresa, and to the Angels of the country where you are, that they may be with you in their strength and power. Oh, what great help! If it were as easy, says another, to build a Carmelite Convent as it is to raise one of the Cabins of the Savages, and if we were as powerful as we are impotent and weak, you would find from now on a great many Sisters very ready to go to your aid.
Voicy les propres termes d'vne autre. Il faut que vous sçachiez que la Nouuelle France commence d'entrer dans les esprits de plusieurs personnes, ce qui me fait croire que Dieu la regarde d'vn œil fauorable. Helas! que diriés vous, mon R. Pere, [21] si sa diuine Majesté disposoit les affaires en sorte, que nous eussions bien tost le courage, & le moyen de vous aller trouuer. Ie vous diray que si telle est la volonté de Dieu, qu'il n'y a rien en ce monde, qui m'en puisse empescher, quand mesme ie deurois estre engloutie des ondes en chemin.
Here are the exact words of another. You must know that New France is beginning to enter the minds of a great many people, which makes me think that God is looking upon it with a favorable eye. Ah, what would you say, my Reverend Father, [21] if his divine Majesty were so to shape events that we would soon have the courage and the means to go to you. I will tell you that if such be the will of God, there is nothing in this world that can prevent me, even if I were to be engulfed in the waves on the voyage.
Voila le cœur d'vne vraye Vrsuline, qui me va découurant les voyes par où son Ordre pourra vn iour passer en ces grandes forests. Pendant que i'écris cecy, i'ay deuant mes yeux les noms de treize Religieuses du mesme Ordre, qui protestent dans vne lettre commune enuoyée au R. P. Adam, qu'elles ont toutes le mesme dessein, & leur Superieure brusle du [240] mesme feu; I'ay laissé, dit-elle, prendre l'essor aux desirs de nos bonnes Sœurs, qu'elles ont couché sur ce papier selon leur ferueur; il n'y a rien de moy que l'approbation que i'en fay par l'apposition de mon nom, pour vous témoigner que ie n'en quitte pas la partie. Ie vous porte plus d'enuie que vous ne me faites de pitié dans les trauaux où vous allez entrer. Mais écoutons ces ames resoluës. Il n'y a point de difficultez qui nous épouuantent, & bien que la foiblesse & l'infirmité de nostre sexe [22] soit grande, nostre Seigneur fortifie, & rehausse si puissamment nostre courage, que nous nous enhardissons de dire auec sainct Paul, nous pouuons tout en celuy qui nous conforte; la mer ny les tempestes n'ont point assez d'horreur pour épouuanter des cœurs, qui n'ont ny vie, ny mouuemens, que pour celuy qui a mis la sienne pour les racheter, & qui ne desirent rien tant que de pouuoir donner la leur pour son amour, & pour le salut des Sauuages. N'est il pas vray de dire apres cela, que la parfaite amour bannit la crainte. Ie passe souz silence d'autres termes aussi pathetiques, & des affections aussi fortes que celles-cy, sorties des cœurs & de la bouche d'vn grand nombre de bonnes ames d'autres saincts Ordres, voire mesme de personnes engagées dans le monde. Si des femmes tendres & delicates pour ie ne sçay quels interests, disent quelques-vnes, se sont iettées courageusement dans le hazard des mers, nostre cœur blesmira-il à la veuë des mesmes dangers? puis que nous ne pretendons passer dans cette Barbarie, que pour honorer & benir le Dieu des mers? Celles qui pretendent passer les premieres, apres s'estre deffiées de leur foiblesse, disent tout [23] haut, que se confiant en Dieu, elles ne craignent plus rien, sinon que le trop grand delay. Or ie réponds aux vnes & aux autres, qu'elles ne sçauroient auoir [242] trop de deuotion, pour prier le Ciel de fauoriser cette entreprise; mais qu'elles pourroient auoir trop de precipitation, si elles passoient sans qu'on leur donnast aduis, que le Païs est en estat de les receuoir: chaques choses ont leur temps, Dieu prend le sien quand il luy plaist; c'est celuy qu'il faut attendre en patience & en douceur. Finissons, i'en ay assez dit pour faire voir que la Nouuelle France est bien auant dans le cœur de Dieu, puis qu'elle a si bonne place dans ceux de tant de personnes, qui luy sont si cheres.
This is the spirit shown by a true Ursuline, who goes on to show me in what ways her Order will some day be able to cross over into these great forests. While I am writing this, I have before my eyes the names of thirteen Sisters of the same Order, who protest, in a general letter sent to Reverend Father Adam, that they all have the same purpose and that their Superior burns with the same fire: I have allowed, says she, our good Sisters to give full scope to their desires which they have set down on this paper according to their zeal; there is nothing of myself in it, except the approbation I show by affixing my name, as an evidence that I do not abandon the party. I envy you more than I pity you in the labors you are about to begin. But let us hear further from these resolute spirits: There are no difficulties which daunt us; and, although the weakness and infirmity of our sex [22] is great, our Lord so powerfully fortifies and enhances our courage, that we are emboldened to say with saint Paul, we can do all in him who strengtheneth us; neither the sea nor tempests have horrors enough to frighten hearts which live and throb only for him who has given his own to redeem them, and who desire nothing so much as to be able to give theirs for his love and for the salvation of the Savages. Is it not right to say, after that, that perfect love casteth out fear? I pass over in silence other words as touching, and expressions of interest as strong as these, uttered from the hearts and lips of many good souls of other holy Orders, yea even from people of the world. If delicate and refined women, actuated by we know not what interests, say some of them, have cast themselves bravely into the hazards of the deep, shall our hearts fail at the sight of the same dangers, since we do not claim to cross over into this land of Barbarism, except to honor and bless the God of the sea? Those women who expect to cross first, after having distrusted their own weakness, say quite [23] boldly that, trusting themselves to God, they no longer fear anything, unless it be the too great delay. Now I answer both that they cannot have too much devotion in praying Heaven to favor this enterprise; but that they can have too much haste, if they should come over here before being notified that the Country is in a condition to receive them. Everything in its time; God takes his as it pleases him, and it is upon him we must wait in patience and in meekness. Let us finish. I have said enough on this subject to show that New France is near to the heart of God, since it holds so good a place in those of so many persons who are so dear to him.