Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VP THE STABILITY AND EXTENSION OF THE WORKS OF SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL--HE IS DECLARED BY THE HOLY SEE, PATRON OF WORKS OF CHARITY IN FRANCE, AND AFTERWARDS OF THOSE OF THE WHOLE WORLD The men who are truly great are those whose works not only survive them, but whose works time, that destroyer of everything, only serves to strengthen and expand. The Congregation of the Mission, almost completely destroyed by the Revolution, rose from amidst its ruins, and to-day is more numerous and more widespread than in the eighteenth century. The Sisters of Charity number more than twenty thousand, and are to be found all over the world. The Ladies of Charity have also multiplied, and there is no city, town, or village where ladies of the world may not be met who deem it an honour, after the example of the De Gondis, the D'Aiguillons and the Lamoignons, to seek out the garrets of the poor, to sweep their rooms and to make their beds. But the great work that has brought the name and influence of Vincent de Paul prominently forward is that of the conferences which bear his name. A mustard-seed in the beginning, to-day it is a great tree whose branches cover the earth. Where are there not to be met members of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society in their holy and charitable conferences? They are 1 The documents contained in this chapter have been borrowed from the Annals of the Congregation of the Mission, a publication of the Vincentian Fathers. 233 scattered over two hemispheres, and at present there are more than four thousand branches of this society devoted to the service of the poor. Whilst all the works instituted by Saint Vincent de Paul have been developing and increasing, many others have sprung up modelled on his, for their founders knew...
