Genre - Religion. You are on the page - 10
beginning anti-monastic. It is not rare for history to have similar contradictions to record. The meek Galilean who preached the religion of a personal revelation, without ceremonial or dogmatic law, triumphed only on condition of being conquered, and of permitting his words of spirit and life to be confiscated by a church essentially dogmatic and sacerdotal.In the same way the Franciscan movement was originally, if not the protest of the Christian consciousness against monachism, at least the
invariable custom of the house; and sat in a dead silence, that seemed natural to the great sober room.This, however, was not for want of a topic; on the contrary, they had a matter of great importance to discuss, and in fact this was why they dined tete-a-tete. But their tongues were tied for the present; in the first place, there stood in the middle of the table an epergne, the size of a Putney laurel-tree; neither Wardlaw could well see the other, without craning out his neck like a rifleman
l jealousy. Partly owing to the general downward tendency of the age, but mainly on account of the interference of the secular authorities with ecclesiastical appointments, the gravest abuses had manifested themselves in nearly every department of clerical life, and the cry for reform rose unbidden to the lips of thousands who entertained no thought of revolution. But the distinction between the divine and the human element in the Church was not appreciated by all, with the result that a great
is finding out. It "passeth knowledge" (Eph. iii. 19).Nothing speaks to us of the love of God, like the cross of Christ. Come with me to Calvary, and look upon the Son of God as He hangs there. Can you hear that piercing cry from His dying lips: "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do!" and say that He does not love you? "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John xv. 13). But Jesus Christ laid down His
an respect to degrade hisChristian dignity. In whatever company he might be, he alwayssaluted the Blessed Sacrament when passing a Church; and he nevermet a priest without paying him a mark of respect. A word from hislips sufficed to silence whosoever dared blaspheme in his presence.In reward for his virtues, God showered even temporal blessings onHis faithful servant. In 1871 he was able to give up his businessas a jeweller, and retire to a house in the Rue St. Blaise. Themaking of point-lace,
miled slowly, showing a row of very white, strong teeth."I know, auntie," she said. "No; I shouldn't think Laurie'll mind much. Perhaps he'll go back to town in the morning, too." "No, my dear, he's staying till Thursday." * * * * * There fell again one of those pleasant silences that are possible in the country. Outside the garden, with the meadows beyond the village road, lay in that sweet September hush of sunlight and mellow color that seemed to embalm the