The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 09, No. 52, February, 1862 by Various
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page 16 of 295 (05%)
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man ever saw that grow up in waste places and in deep dells and shades
of mountains; but God bears each one in His heart, and delighteth Himself in silence with them: and so doth He with these poor, simple, unknown souls. The True Church is not a flaunting queen who goes boldly forth among men displaying her beauties, but a veiled bride, a dove that is in the cleft of the rocks, whose voice is known only to the Beloved. Ah! when shall the great marriage-feast come, when all shall behold her glorified? I had hoped to see the day here in Italy: but now"---- The father stopped, and seemed to lapse into unconscious musing,--his large eye growing fixed and mysterious in its expression. "The brothers have been telling me somewhat of the tribulations you have been through," said Father Antonio, who thought he saw a good opening to introduce the subject nearest his heart. "No more of that!--no more!" said the Superior, turning away his head with an expression of pain and weariness; "rather let us look up. What think you, brother, are all _these_ doing now?" he said, pointing to the saints in the picture. "They are all alive and well, and see clearly through our darkness." Then, rising up, he added, solemnly, "Whatever man may say or do, it is enough for me to feel that my dearest Lord and His blessed Mother and all the holy archangels, the martyrs and prophets and apostles, are with me. The end is coming." "But, dearest father," said Antonio, "think you the Lord will suffer the wicked to prevail?" "It may be for a time," said Savonarola. "As for me, I am in His hands only as an instrument. He is master of the forge and handles the hammer, |
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