He was a Christianized Greek,
who had exchanged the philosopher's robe for the archbishop's surplice.
Viewing him now on the whole, considering at once his gifts and graces of
mind, and heart, and will; his offerings upon the altar of learning,
humanity and religion, we sum up our judgment in a single saying. He
worshipped God in the _beauty_ of holiness. His whole being, with all its
graces and powers so harmoniously combined, was an offering to God that
men cannot but admire and the Most High will not despise.
We may not take leave of Fenelon without applying to our times the
teachings of his spirit, the lesson of his life. However rich the topic in
occasion for controversial argument, we defer all strife to the
inspiration of his gentle and loving wisdom. Let an incident connected
with the tomb of Fenelon furnish us an emblem of the spirit in which we
shall look upon his name. His remains were deposited in the vault beneath
the main altar at which he had so often ministered. It would seem as if
some guardian-angel shielded them from desecration. Eighty years passed
and the Reign of Terror came upon France in retribution for her falsity to
her best advisers.
Pages:
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193