The doctrine of hell is one of the four last things. Father
Schouppe gives a terrifying presentation of this doctrine that will
inspire people to avoid this horrible place and to save their soul.
We need to study this truth carefully so that we realize just how
important it is to become a Saint. Let us consider this story: The
following incident happened in 1837. A young under-lieutenant,
being in Paris, entered the Church of the Assumption, near the
Toilers, and saw a priest kneeling near a confessional. As he made
religion the habitual subject of his jokes, he wished to go to
confession to while away the time, and went into the confessional.
"Monsieur l'abbe," he said, "would you be good enough to hear my
confession?" "Willingly my son; confess unrestrained." "But I must
first say that I am a rather unique kind of a sinner." "No matter;
the sacrament of penance has been instituted for all sinners." "But
I am not very much of a believer in religious matters." "You
believe more than you think." "Believe? I? I am a regular scoffer."
The confessor saw with whom he had to deal, and that there was some
mystification. He replied, smiling: "You are a regular scoffer? Are
you then making fun of me too?" The pretended penitent smiled in
like manner. "Listen," the priest went on, "what you have just done
here is not serious. Let us leave confession aside; and, if you
please, have a little chat. I like military people greatly; and,
then, you have the appearance of a good, amiable youth. Tell me,
what is your rank?" "Under-lieutenant." "Will you remain an
under-lieutenant long?" "Two, three, perhaps four years." "And
after?" "I shall hope to become a lieutenant?" "And after?" "I hope
to become a captain." "And after?" "Lieutenant-colonel?" "How old
will you be then?" "Forty to forty-five years." "And after that?"
"I shall become a brigadier general." "And after?" "If I rise
higher, I shall be general of a division." "And after?" "After
there is nothing more except the Marshal's baton; but my
pretensions do not reach so high." "Well and good. But do you
intend to get married?" "Yes, when I shall be a superior officer."
"Well There you are married; a superior officer, a general, perhaps
even a French marshal, who knows? And after?" "After? Upon my word,
I do not know what will be after." "See, how strange it is " said
the abbe. Then, in a tone of voice that grew more sober: "You know
all that shall happen up to that point, and you do not know what
will be after. Well, I know, and I am going to tell you, After, you
shall die, be judged, and, if you continue to live as you do, you
shall be damned, you shall go and burn in hell; that is what will
be after." As the under-lieutenant, dispirited at this conclusion,
seemed anxious to steal away: "One moment, sir," said the abbe.
"You are a man of honor. So am I. Agree that you have offended me,
and owe me an apology. It will be simple. For eight days, before
retiring to rest, you will say: 'One day I shall die; but I laugh
at the idea. After my death I shall be judged; but I laugh at the
idea. After my judgment, I shall be damned; but I laugh at the
idea. I shall burn forever in hell; but I laugh at the idea ' That
is all. But you are going to give me your word of honor not to
neglect it, eh?" More and more wearied, and wishing, at any price,
to extricate himself from this false step, the under-lieutenant
made the promise. In the evening, his word being given, he began to
carry out his promise. "I shall die," he says. "I shall be judged."
He had not the courage to add: "I laugh at the idea." The week had
not passed before he returned to the Church of the Assumption, made
his confession seriously, and came out of the confessional his face
bathed with tears, and with joy in his heart.
General
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