Stories of the Saints by Candle-Light   By: Vera C. (Vera Charlesworth) Barclay (1893-)

Frontispiece. ]

STORIES OF THE SAINTS BY CANDLE LIGHT

BY

VERA C. BARCLAY

1922

THE FAITH PRESS, LTD. LONDON: THE FAITH HOUSE, 22, BUCKINGHAM ST., CHARING CROSS, W.C. 2

=TO=

THE MEMORY OF

SIXER FRANK SPARKS

AND

SECOND BOB SMITH

TWO FAITHFUL CUBS OF THE "CARDINAL'S OWN" PACK

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED BY THEIR OLD WOLF.

R.I.P.

CONTENTS

NINE DAYS IN CAMP, AND NINE STORIES BY CANDLE LIGHT

ABOUT THIS BOOK 1

THE FIRST DAY: GETTING THERE. THE STORY OF ST. BENEDICT 2

THE SECOND DAY: THE STORY OF ST. GUTHLAC 17

THE THIRD DAY: THE STORY OF ST. MARTIN 27

THE FOURTH DAY: THE STORY OF ST. EDMUND, KING AND MARTYR 42

THE FIFTH DAY (SUNDAY): THE STORY OF ST. FRANCIS (I.) 56

THE SIXTH DAY: THE STORY OF ST. FRANCIS (II.) 67

THE SEVENTH DAY: THE STORY OF ST. ANTONY 83

THE EIGHTH DAY: THE STORY OF ST. PATRICK 96

THE NINTH DAY: THE STORY OF ST. GEORGE 107

GOOD BYE 118

STORIES OF THE SAINTS BY CANDLE LIGHT

NINE DAYS IN CAMP, AND NINE STORIES BY CANDLE LIGHT

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Once upon a time there were fifteen Cubs who spent nine wonderful days in camp. They were London Cubs, and the camp was on a beautiful little green island whose rocky shore ran down in green, tree covered points into the bluest sea you ever saw. These nine days were the most splendid days in those Cubs' lives. And so they often think of them, and dream about them, and live them over again in memory.

So that they may more easily go over those days their Old Wolf has written down all about them in this book. Perhaps other Cubs will like to come away, in imagination, to that fair, green island, and so have a share in the nine days.

Now, one of the very "special things" about those days in camp were the candle light stories which the Cubs listened to every night, seated in a big, happy pile, pyjama clad, on their palliasses. All day they used to look forward to those stories, and sometimes, in the middle of a shrimping expedition, or a paddling party, one or another would remark, "Story to night, boys!" and turn his thumbs up to show he was pleased at the thought. And so you will find the candle light stories, too, in this book; and remember that all the stories in this book are true both those about the Cubs and those about the Saints.

THE FIRST DAY

The train steamed slowly out of Victoria Station. "Now we're off!" shouted a Cub, and he and all the others began to jump for joy, which was not easy in a railway compartment packed like a sardine tin. Then someone began to sing the Pack chorus, and everyone joined in with all their strength:

Let the great big world keep turning, Now I've joined a Wolf Cub Pack; And I only know That I want to go To camp to camp to CAMP! Oh, I long to set off marching With my kit bag on my back. Let the great big world keep on turning round, Now I've joined a Wolf Cub Pack!

Then someone yelled "Are we down hearted?" and the Cubs yelled "No!" so loudly that Akela thought she would be deafened for life.

Presently the train ran out into the country, and plodded along between woods and fields. And the early morning sun shone brightly, and the sky was very blue. The country, the country! And, very soon, the sea! There were some of them who had never been to the country, and "Spongey," the youngest of the party, had never even been in a real train.