y of St. Francis
and took him as model in his relations with others. "I am by nature a
country clod," he would say in after years, "and if I had not met the
Bishop of Geneva, I should have remained a bundle of thorns all my
life."

At last Vincent's desire seemed about to be fulfilled. A friend of de
Berulle's, cure of the country parish of Clichy, near Paris,
announced his intention of entering the Oratory, and at de Berulle's
request chose Vincent de Paul as his successor. Here, amidst his
beloved poor, Vincent was completely happy. In him the sick and the
infirm found a friend such as they had never dreamed of and any son
of poor parents who showed a vocation for the priesthood was taken
into the presbytery and taught by Vincent himself. The parish church,
which was in great disrepair, was rebuilt; old, standing quarrels
were made up; men who had not been to the Sacraments for years came
back to God. Such was the influence of the Cure of Clichy that
priests from the neighboring parishes came to learn the secret of his
success and to ask his advice.

Vincent was looking forward to a life spent in earnest work among his
people when a summons from Father de Berulle recalled him suddenly to
Paris. Nothing less than the resignation of his beloved Clichy was
now asked of him by this friend to whom he owed so much. One of the
greatest noblemen of France, Messire de Gondi, Count of Joigny and
General of the King's Galleys, was in need of a tutor for his
children and had commissioned Father de Berulle to find him what he
wanted. De Berulle decided at once that Vincent de Paul was the man
for the position and that, as he was evidently destined to do great
work for God, it would be to his advantage to have powerful and
influential friends.

Although the prospect of such a post filled the humble parish priest
with consternation, he owed too much to de Berulle to refuse. Setting
out from Clichy with his worldly goods on a hand-barrow, he arrived
at the Oratory, from whence he was to proceed to his new abode.

The house of Messire de Gondi was one of the most magnificent in
Paris. The Count, one of the bravest and handsomest men of his day,
was in high favor at Court; while his wife, at a time when the lives
of most of the great ladies of the Court were anything but edifying,
was remarkable for her fervor and piety. The de Gondi children,
unfortunately, did not take after their parents, and the two boys
whose education Vince