lesson from the facts of material deliverance, these lines were sung : "O vera, Christe, charitas, 1 1 -1 1 Nos vinculis, quæ cordibus Concede Sancta Trinitas, The office of St. Felix of Valois was equally expressive; the hymn for the first vespers commemorated the leading incidents of his life, which only divine faith can explain : "Stirpe regali satus, et propinquus Atria, et certos fugiens honores, Antra subivit. In the first nocturn the antiphons were still chiefly an application of inspired texts to the details of his history, proving how well they were fulfilled in him, "Despexit aulas princi. pum, ut soli Deo serviret, et constitutus est ab eo in monte * Off. prop. S. Joan. de Matha. sancto ejus. In charitate perpetua dilexit eum Dominus, et constituit eum ad redimendos fideles captivos." The verse and response were simply, "Manum suam aperuit inopi. Et palmas suas extendit ad pauperem." But in the third nocturn they joined in a more especial testimony to the nature and object of the order; for then they sung, "Isti sunt viri misericordiæ, qui ambulaverunt in domo Domini cum consensu. Ut essent unanimes fidelium captivorum redemptores." At the Benedictus of Lauds they sung, "Ad faciendam misericordiam cum servis suis, redemit eos Dominus, ut sine timore de manu inimicorum liberati serviant illi." At Sext, the apostolic words which formed the chapter seemed to acquire a fresh signification from the lips of the new messengers who are repeating them : "Certus sum, quia neque mors, neque vita, neque angeli, neque principatus, neque creatura alia poterit nos separare à charitate Dei quæ est in Christo Jesu Domino nostro." Finally, at the second vespers, the antiphon at the Magnificat supplied an appropriate conclusion, "O beatum virum," they intoned, "qui terrena despiciens, soli Deo placere studuisti, deprecare pro nobis, ut de mundo feliciter triumphemus." * From this ancient track, ending thus with solemn echoes, we cross now through the forest, again grown silent and obscure, threading our way amidst these decayed, time-worn, and majestic trunks, to gain the tracts of living verdure through which pass the common roads of practical men, following the various professions and estates of ordinary life: and now the impulse visibly extends in widening circles, radiating like light as from some central luminary. Many roads here branch off in all directions, intersecting them, each receiving its sweet beams. The man who follows active life must still choose some one of them; and in the next book we shall observe how surely-whichever it may be that he selects -the track will furnish issues to the Catholic Church, meeting thus at Rome, as formerly all the great roads of the world met at the Milliar Aureum in the Forum, from which spiritual centre he cannot turn without resisting, either unconsciously or deliberately, the special influence that exists upon it to guide him, and violating, with more or less of responsibility in consequence, some duty and some principle of his nature. * Off. prop. S. Fel. Valesiis. END OF BOOK 111. PRINTED BY COX (BROTHERS) AND WYMAN, GREAT QUEEN STREET. APPENDIX: CONTAINING TRANSLATIONS OF THE GREEK, LATIN, AND OTHER QUOTATIONS FOUND IN THE TEXT OF THE THIRD BOOK OF COMPITUM; OR, THE MEETING OF THE WAYS AT The Catholic Church. SECOND EDITION. LONDON: C. DOLMAN, 61, NEW BOND STREET, MDCCCLIII. APPENDIX: CONTAINING TRANSLATIONS OF THE GREEK, LATIN, AND OTHER QUOTATIONS, FOUND IN THE TEXT OF THE THIRD BOOK OF COMPITUM. SECOND EDITION. CHAPTER I. THE ROAD OF FRIENDS. Page 2, line 1. Even nourishing wherever it shades. دو دو 26. Man solitary is meat for wolf. 28. We have moneys, which indeed are more faithful than all friends and kindred. دو دو دو 32. Of wealth or strength rather than worthy friends Who wishes the possession, badly thinks. 36. Two friends are often stronger than four enemies. 3, 3. With whom jests, serious things, as is said, with دو دو whom secrets, with whom all hidden things. 5. With whom they may exchange familiar speeches. 22. Thou shalt love thy friend as thyself: I am the Lord. Keep ye my laws. 15. Friendship is a certain step for men to God. Soul's better part, our life's distinguished part. -last three. The friendship that descends From sire to son, Jove's ordinance, is ours : Our years are equal; and this journey, last, Shall serve t' endear us mutually the more. (Cowper.) 32. Thy coming yet we seek: Christ will give all, Who made for me a country in thy love. 36. In friends we may call neglect a wrong. 4. As to your calling me friend, I would gratefully agree if you would also show yourself a friend. 42. I had an old friendship with Vespasian, and while he was a private person we were called friends. a |