"One night I had gone to bed early, according to my custom, and had fallen asleep. Suddenly I was awakened25 by a bright and wonderful light, which shone all about me, and filled me with heavenly rapture. Shortly after I heard a voice, which pronounced distinctly these words, in the Sclavonian tongue; 'Remain in the cloister!' It was the voice of my departed mother. I was fully26 awake; yet saw nothing but the bright light, which disappeared, when the words had been spoken. Still it was broad daylight in my chamber27. I thought I had slept beyond my usual hour. I looked at my watch. It was just one o'clock after midnight. Suddenly the daylight vanished, and it was dark. In the morning I arose, as if new-born, through the wonderful light, and the words of my mother's voice. It was no dream. I knew it was the will of God that I should stay; and I could again give myself up to quiet study. I read the whole Bible through once more in theoriginal text; and went on with the Fathers, in chronological28 order. Often, after the apparition29 of the light, I awoke at the same hour; and though I heard no voice and saw no light, yet was refreshed with heavenly consolation30.
"Not long after this an important event happened in the cloister. In the absence of the deacon of the Abbey, I was to preach the Thanksgiving sermon of Harvest-home. During the week the Prince-Abbot Berthold gave up the ghost; and my sermon became at once a Thanks-giving and Funeral Sermon. Perhaps it may not be unworthy of notice, that I was thus called to pronounce the burial discourse32 over the body of the last reigning33, spiritual Prince Abbot in Germany. He was a man of God, and worthy31 of this honor.
"One year after this event, I was appointed Professor of Biblical Hermeneutics in Klagenfurt, and left the Abbey forever. In Klagenfurt I remained ten years, dwelling34 in the same house, and eating at the same table, with seventeen other professors. Their conversation naturally suggestednew topics of study, and brought to my notice books, which I had never before seen. One day I heard at table, that Maurus Cappellari, a monk35 of Camaldoli, had been elected Pope, under the name of Gregory Sixteenth. He was spoken of as a very learned man, who had written many books. At this time I was a firm believer in the Pope's infallibility; and when I heard these books mentioned, there arose in me an irresistible36 longing37 to read them. I inquired for them; but they were nowhere to be had. At length I heard, that his most important work, The Triumph of the Holy See, and of the Church, had been translated into German and published in Augsburg. Ere long the precious volume was in my hands. I began to read it with the profoundest awe38. The farther I read, the more my wonder grew. The subject was of the deepest interest to me. I could not lay the book out of my hand, till I had read it through with the closest attention. Now at length my eyes were opened. I saw before me a monk, who had been educated in an Italian cloister; who, indeed, had read much, and yet only what was calculated to strengthen him in the prejudices of his childhood; and who had entirely39 neglected those studies upon which a bishop40 should most rely, in order to work out the salvation41 of man. I perceived at the same time, that this was the strongest instrument for battering42 down the walls, which separate Christian from Christian. I saw, though as yet dimly, the way in which the union of Christians in the one true church was to be accomplished43. I knew not whether to be most astonished at my own blindness, that, in all my previous studies, I had not perceived, what the reading of this single book made manifest to me; or at the blindness of the Pope, who had undertaken to justify44 such follies45, without perceiving that at the same moment he was himself lying in fatal error. But since I have learned more thoroughly46 the ways of the Lord, I am now no more astonished at this, but pray only to Divine providence47, who so mysteriously prepares all people to be united in one true church. I no longer believed in the Pope's infallibility; nay48, I believed even, that, to the great injury of humanity, he lay in fatal error. I felt, moreover, that now the time had fully come, when I should publicly show myself, and found in America a parish and a school, and become the spiritual guide of men, and the schoolmaster of children.
"It was then, and on that account, that I wrote in the Latin tongue my great work on Biblical Hermeneutics. But in Germany it cannot be published. The Austrian censor49 of the press cannot find time to read it, though I think, that if I have spent so many laborious51 days and sleepless52 nights in writing it, this man ought likewise to find time enough not only to read it, but to examine all the grounds of my reasoning, and point out to me any errors, if he can find any. Notwithstanding, the Spirit gave me no repose53, but urged me ever mightily54 on to the perfection of my great work.
"One morning I sat writing, under peculiar55 influences of the Spirit, upon the Confusion of Tongues, the Division of the People, and the importance ofthe study of Comparative Philology56, in reference to their union in one church. So wrapped was I in the thought, that I came late into my lecture-room; and after lecture returned to my chamber, where I wrote till the clock struck twelve. At dinner, one of the Professors asked if any one had seen the star, about which so much was said. The Professor of Physics, said, that the student Johannes Schminke had come to him in the greatest haste, and besought57 him to go out and see the wonderful star; but, being incredulous about it, he made no haste, and, when they came into the street, the star had disappeared. When I heard the star spoken of, my soul was filled with rapture; and a voice within me seemed to say, 'The great time is approaching; labor50 unweariedly in thy work.' I sought out the student; and like Herod, inquired diligently58 what time the star appeared. He informed me, that, just as the clock was striking eight, in the morning, he went out of his house to go to the college, and saw on the square a crowd looking at a bright star. It was the veryhour, when I was writing alone in my chamber on the importance of Comparative Philology in bringing about the union of all nations. I felt, that my hour had come. Strangely moved, I walked up and down my chamber. The evening twilight59 came on. I lighted my lamp, and drew the green curtains before the windows, and sat down to read. But hardly had I taken the book into my hand, when the Spirit began to move me, and urge me then to make my last decision and resolve. I made a secret vow60, that I would undertake the voyage to America. Suddenly my troubled thoughts were still. An unwonted rapture filled my heart. I sat and read till the supper bell rang. They were speaking at table of a red glaring meteor, which had just been seen in the air, southeast from Klagenfurt; and had suddenly disappeared with a dull, hollow sound. It was the very moment at which I had taken my final resolution to leave my native land. Every great purpose and event of my life, seemed heralded61 and attended by divine messengers; the voices of thedead; the bright morning star, shining in the clear sunshine; and the red meteor in the evening twilight.
"I now began seriously to prepare for my departure. The chamber I occupied, had once been the library of a Franciscan convent. Only a thick wall separated it from the church. In this wall was a niche62, with heavy folding-doors, which had served the Franciscans as a repository for prohibited books. Here also I kept my papers, and my great work on Biblical Hermeneutics. The inside of the doors was covered with horrible caricatures of Luther, Melancthon, Calvin, and other great men. I used often to look at them with the deepest melancholy, when I thought that these great men likewise had labored63 upon earth, and fought with Satan in the church. But they were persecuted64, denounced, condemned65 to die. So perhaps will it be with me. I thought of this often; and armed myself against the fear of death. I was in constant apprehension66, lest the police should search my chamber during my absence, and, by examining my papers, discover my doctrine67 and designs. But the Spirit said to me; 'Be of good cheer; I will so blind the eyes of thy enemies, that it shall not once occur to them to think of thy writings.'
"At length, after many difficulties and temptations of the Devil, I am on my way to America. Yesterday I took leave of my dearest friend, Gregory Kuscher, in Hallstadt. He seemed filled with the Spirit of God, and has wonderfully strengthened me in my purpose. All the hosts of heaven looked on, and were glad. The old man kissed me at parting; and I ascended the mountain as if angels bore me up in their arms. Near the summit, lay a newly fallen avalanche68, over which, as yet, no footsteps had passed. This was my last temptation. 'Ha!' cried I aloud, 'Satan has prepared a snare69 for me; but I will conquer him with godly weapons.' I sprang over the treacherous70 snow, with greater faith than St. Peter walked the waters of the Lake of Galilee; and came down the valley, while the mountain peaks yetshone in the setting sun. God smiles upon me. I go forth, full of hopeful courage. On Christmas next, I shall excommunicate the Pope."
Saying these words, he slowly and solemnly took his leave, like one conscious of the great events which await him, and withdrew with the other priest into the church. Flemming could not smile as Berkley did; for in the solitary71, singular enthusiast72, who had just left them, he saw only another melancholy victim to solitude73 and over-labor of the brain; and felt how painful a thing it is, thus to become unconsciously the alms-man of other men's sympathies, a kind of blind beggar for the charity of a good wish or a prayer.
The sun was now setting. Silently they floated back to Saint Gilgen, amid the cool evening shadows. The village clock struck nine as they landed; and as Berkley was to depart early in the morning, he went to bed betimes. On bidding Flemming good night he said;
"I shall not see you in the morning; so good bye, and God bless you. Remember my partingwords. Never mind trifles. In this world a man must either be anvil74 or hammer. Care killed a cat!"
"I have heard you say that so often," replied Flemming, laughing, "that I begin to believe it is true. But I wonder if Care shaved his left eyebrow75, after doing the deed, as the ancient Egyptians used to do!"
A sorrowful event happened in the neighbourhood that night. The widow's child died suddenly. "Woe77 is me!"--thus mourns the childless mother in one of the funeral songs of Greenland; "Woe is me, that I should gaze upon thy place and find it vacant! In vain for thee thy mother dries the sea-drenched garments!" Not in these words, but in thoughts like these, did the poor mother bewail the death of her child, thinking mostly of the vacant place, and the daily cares and solicitudes78 of maternal79 love. Flemming saw a light in her chamber, and shadows moving toand fro, as he stood by the window, gazing into the starry80, silent sky. But he little thought of the awful domestic tragedy, which was even then enacted81 behind those thin curtains!
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1
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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psalms
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| n.赞美诗( psalm的名词复数 )；圣诗；圣歌；(中的) | |
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hymns
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌( hymn的名词复数 ) | |
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aspirations
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| 强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 )； 志向； 发送气音； 发 h 音 | |
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ordained
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| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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Christians
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| n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 ) | |
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10
sects
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| n.宗派，教派( sect的名词复数 ) | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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13
cloister
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| n.修道院；v.隐退，使与世隔绝 | |
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14
benediction
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| n.祝福；恩赐 | |
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15
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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16
rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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17
arsenal
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| n.兵工厂，军械库 | |
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18
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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oration
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| n.演说，致辞，叙述法 | |
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ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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24
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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26
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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chronological
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| adj.按年月顺序排列的，年代学的 | |
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apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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reigning
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| adj.统治的，起支配作用的 | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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monk
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| n.和尚，僧侣，修道士 | |
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irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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battering
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| n.用坏，损坏v.连续猛击( batter的现在分词 ) | |
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43
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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45
follies
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| 罪恶，时事讽刺剧； 愚蠢，蠢笨，愚蠢的行为、思想或做法( folly的名词复数 ) | |
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46
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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47
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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48
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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49
censor
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| n./vt.审查，审查员；删改 | |
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50
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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51
laborious
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| adj.吃力的，努力的，不流畅 | |
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52
sleepless
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| adj.不睡眠的，睡不著的，不休息的 | |
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53
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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54
mightily
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| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
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55
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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56
philology
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| n.语言学；语文学 | |
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57
besought
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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58
diligently
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| ad.industriously;carefully | |
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59
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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60
vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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61
heralded
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| v.预示( herald的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布（好或重要） | |
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62
niche
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| n.壁龛；合适的职务(环境、位置等) | |
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63
labored
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| adj.吃力的，谨慎的v.努力争取(for)( labor的过去式和过去分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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64
persecuted
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| （尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的过去式和过去分词 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人 | |
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65
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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66
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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doctrine
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| n.教义；主义；学说 | |
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68
avalanche
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| n.雪崩，大量涌来 | |
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69
snare
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| n.陷阱，诱惑，圈套；（去除息肉或者肿瘤的）勒除器；响弦，小军鼓；vt.以陷阱捕获，诱惑 | |
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70
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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71
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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enthusiast
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| n.热心人，热衷者 | |
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73
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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74
anvil
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| n.铁钻 | |
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eyebrow
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| n.眉毛，眉 | |
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76
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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77
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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solicitudes
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| n.关心，挂念，渴望( solicitude的名词复数 ) | |
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maternal
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| adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的 | |
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80
starry
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| adj.星光照耀的, 闪亮的 | |
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81
enacted
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| 制定（法律），通过（法案）( enact的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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