The Saint by Antonio Fogazzaro
page 74 of 417 (17%)
page 74 of 417 (17%)
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this: that we are, in a manner, the prophets of this saint, of this
Messiah, preparing the way for him; which simply means that we point out the necessity of a renovation of all that, in our religion, is outward clothing, and not the body of truth, even should such a renovation cause suffering to many consciences. _Ingemiscit et parturit!_ We must point out this necessity, standing the while on absolutely Catholic ground, looking for the new laws from the old authorities, bringing proofs that if these garments which have been worn so long and in such stormy times, be not changed, no decent person will come near us; and God forbid that some among us should be driven to cast them off without permission, out of a loathing not to be borne. I wish furthermore to say, if the Abbe Marinier will permit me, that we have very few human fears." A murmur of hearty assent answered him, and Minucci started up, every nerve vibrating. While the Abbe Marinier had been speaking, di Leyni and Selva had watched Minucci, who was fuming, with knitted brows; and Giovanni, knowing well the violent temper of this ascetic mystic, had intended to give him time to control himself by requesting Don Clemente to speak first. He now sprang up excitedly. His words did not flow smoothly, their very impetus causing them to tremble and break, and, broken, they poured from his lips in a torrent, precise, nevertheless, and powerful, with their vigorous Roman accent. "That is true! We have no human fears. We are striving for things too great, and we desire them too intensely to feel human fears! We wish to be united in the living Christ, all among us who feel that the understanding of the Way, the Truth, and the Life--is--is--is--growing, yes, is growing in our hearts, in our minds! And this understanding bursts so many--what shall I call them?--so many bonds of ancient formulas which press us, which suffocate us; which would suffocate |
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