Two factors made it necessary to postpone the sending of brothers to Amplepuis in response to the mayors request: the first was the fact that two brothers would not be enough; at least four would be needed. Then there was the transfer of the parish priest; the new one, who had not yet been installed, might not want the Marist Brothers, and might prefer the services of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. The sequence of subsequent developments can be traced in LL. 133, 138 and 187.

Dear Sir,

Your esteemed letter reminded me of the steps which Fr. Terraillon, had taken when he was parish priest of Amplepuis, towards an establishment of not just two brothers, nor even three, since the town of Amplepuis must have four hundred children, or at least three hundred, who are regularly in school. Two brothers would therefore be entirely insufficient; they would inevitably collapse. I think the new parish priest, will agree with my observation at first sight. We are determined not to open any establishment which is not on a solid footing; that is what will determine its ultimate success. Let us await the arrival of the parish priest; perhaps he will prefer the Brothers of the Christian Schools. In any case, we are infinitely obliged to Mr. De Pomey for the interest he has shown in us. I ask him please to consider me his most humble and respectful servant,

Champagnat
Sup. M.B.

Edition: Translation from: Lettres de Marcellin J. B. Champagnat (1789-1840) Fondateur de l?Institut des Frères Maristes, présentés par Frère Paul Sester,1985.

fonte: Daprès la minute, AFM, RCLA 1, p. 45, nº 42