Page 94 - March On! God will Provide by Brother Aubert

SOME RYKEN CORRESPONDENCE 73
On August 11, he despatched a very business-like note
to Felix Dujardin, the banker:

Sir:
These few lines in order to ask you respectfully
to be kind enough to send me the statement of the
interest in arrears and the notary's fee which I owe
to date. This will permit me to begin serious eftorts
to put this in order. Accept, dear sir, my very re-
spectful greetings.
T. J. RvrrN

On August 31, Brother Ryken received from Mon-
sieur Dujardin a formal reminder of the amount of the
debt and with it a request for a conference.
The poor debtor could not or would not keep the
appointment, explaining in a note of apology that he
had made previous arrangements for a journey and
promising that he would present himself as soon as he
returned to Bruges.
The community at "Het Walletje" had been fully
apprized of the hazardous plight of the Brotherhood.
In spite of their weakened physical condition, they re-
sponded generously to the Father Superior's appeal that
they further intensify their pious assault on heaven, that
they share in an all-night watch before the Blessed Sac-
rament.
Heaven seemed deaf to their prayers.
On September 30, Brother Ryken formally admitted
in writing his inability to meet his financial obligations,
but he did nothing in the rvay of preparing for the disso-
lution of his little society. On the contrary, he acted as
though it were to continue in spite of the impossibilities.
What he had previously arranged for, he carried out on
the prescribed dates.