Father Anselmus _to the_ Viscount de Valmont.
I received, Monsieur Viscount, the letter you did me the honour to
write to me, and yesterday, as you requested, waited on the person
mentioned. I laid before her the motives and intentions that induced
you to this measure. Although very determined to pursue the prudent
resolution she at first took, yet on the remonstrances I made, that by
a refusal she might incur the danger of throwing an obstacle in the way
of your conversion and in a manner oppose the designs of all-merciful
Providence, she consented to receive your visit, on condition
nevertheless, it shall be the last; and has desired me to inform you,
she should be at home on Thursday next, the 28th. If this day should
not be convenient for you, please to inform her, and appoint some
other; your letter will be received.
Give me leave to recommend to you, Sir, to avoid delays, unless for
very cogent reasons, that you may as soon as possible give yourself up
entirely to the laudable dispositions you express. Remember, whoever
is silent to the calls of divine grace, exposes himself to have it
withdrawn; that if the divine bounty is infinite, the dispensation of
it is regulated by justice; and the time may come, when the God of
mercy may be changed to a God of vengeance.
If you continue to honour me with your confidence, be assured all
my care shall be devoted to you the instant you require it. Let my
business be ever so great, the most important shall ever be to fulfil
the duties of the holy ministry, to which I am particularly devoted;
and the most valuable part of my life, that wherein I see my weak
endeavours crowned with the benediction of the Most High. We are weak
sinners, and cannot do any thing of ourselves! but the God that now
calls you is omnipotent; and we shall equally owe to his goodness; you
the desire of being reunited to him, and I the means of conducting
you. It is with his divine assistance, I hope soon to convince you,
that religion only can give even in this world that solid and durable
happiness, which is vainly sought in the blindness of human passions. I
have the honour to be, with great respect, &c.
_Paris, Oct._ 25, 17—.