Low, reverently low,
Make thy stubborn knowledge bow,
Weep out thy reason's and thy body's eyes,
Deject thyself, that thou mayest rise,
To look to heaven--be blind to all below.
MATHEW PRIOR.
On rising, which he did with the sun, leaving the Knight buried in
sleep, Arundel took his way through the village to enjoy the fresh
morning air and examine the Indian wigwams, it being the first
considerable collection of them which he had seen. He found them, to
the number of forty or fifty, extending at a distance of four or five
rods from one another, in a couple of wide avenues, from the edge of a
wood to the margin of a river. The piece of ground on which the lodges
were built seemed to be a bit of alluvial formed by the overflowing of
the river. All along the stream were scattered fields of maize, whose
tall, stout stalks attested the richness of the soil. The cultivation
was of that sluggish and negligent description which was to be
expected from the indolent character of the Indians, it being entirely
entrusted to the squaws, the men considering labor beneath their
dignity. The object was attained, if the plants were sufficiently
protected against the encroaching weeds to enable them to overtop the
latter, after which they were left to take care of themselves. Yet,
notwithstanding all this negligence, prodigal Nature rendered a rich
return. It has been said (with what truth we know not) that the weeds
of a soil depend upon the race which cultivates it--they which spring
from the sweat of an Indian being different from those which embarrass
the toil of the white man or the negro. If it be so, then have we
perhaps another proof of the kind accommodation of mother Earth to her
children, excusing for the reluctant Indian that labor which she
exacts from the hardier white and black man.
As Arundel passed by the bark wigwams, he was able to form some
opinion of the mode of life of the Taranteens. Indolently thrown upon
the ground in front of his lodge, in the soft summer morning, he
beheld its master inhaling the fumes of that pernicious but seductive
plant, which is one of the few gifts the North American savage has
transmitted to his conquerors, that promise to perpetuate his memory.
Little children, of whom seldom more than two or three were to be seen
in any wigwam, played around him, now and then obtaining a word of
notice, while the patient squaws were either engaged in ordinary
culinary preparations, or, if more than one wife were in the lodge,
dividing their labors among themselves, the one cooking, a second
mending moccasons or robes, and a third preparing to start with her
agricultural tools, made of Quohaug shells, (a large kind of clam,)
for the maize field. Here and there he could see young men armed with
bows and arrows, leaving for the surrounding woods, in pursuit of that
game on which was their principal dependance for food. Only one old
person did he behold, whence he inferred that their precarious life
was unfavorable to longevity. He lounged throughout the whole
encampment without interruption, sometimes regarded with a frown,
sometimes with a smile, but for the most part treated with
indifference.
The monotony of Indian life affords little to interest during the week
spent by Sir Christopher and Arundel among the Taranteens. It was
passed by the latter in daily hunts with some young Taranteens, with
whom he had contrived to ingratiate himself, and to whom his gun was
no unwelcome assistant in the chase. The Knight had assured him of the
absence of all danger from the Indians, but even without such
assurance, Arundel would have preferred to encounter some peril rather
than submit to the tedium he must otherwise have endured.
As for Sir Christopher, his preconcerted meeting with Father Le Vieux,
and the conversation betwixt them, prove that he had other objects
besides the establishment of peace between the English and the
Taranteens. The determination of the question of peace or war seemed
to be left entirely with the Father. We may consider his remaining in
the village was for the purpose of waiting for the announcement of the
conclusion to which the Indians, under the direction of the Jesuit
priest, should come, and also to arrange their mutual plans; for,
taking advantage of the absence of Arundel, which, as is seen, he
encouraged, the Knight had frequent conferences with the priest, the
grand object of which was to advance such measures as might obtain the
whole of North America for the Catholics, as South America had already
been secured. It would seem that, although the Knight had the
accomplishment of that result as much at heart as the priest himself,
his national pride and patriotism relucted at the idea that English
colonies should become possessions of the hereditary enemies of his
nation. It was to combat this notion, and to satisfy him of his duty,
to trample upon it at the foot of the cross, that the arguments of the
father were directed. The plan of Sir Christopher was to supplant and
overpower the Puritans with English Catholics, which, by the aid of
the immense wealth of the Church, and the ability of the enterprising
Jesuits, he doubted not might be done, but not to make the colony
French. Devoted Catholic as he was, he was unable to renounce his love
of country.
Not so with the father. With the sagacity of a priest, he placed no
dependence upon any portion of a people whose councils were ruled by
Protestants, and with the conceit of a Frenchman, he had unlimited
confidence in _la grande_ nation; besides, he had been a witness, and
partaken of the sufferings of his brethren, the French Jesuits, among
the savages, and he relied much on a zeal, the superior of which the
world has never seen, and which he believed sanctioned by heaven, and
in spite of himself, and try as he might to persuade himself of the
contrary, national feeling (as in the case of Sir Christopher) mingled
with the aspirations of the religionist. He would, indeed, rather than
fail, have courted the Turk himself, on whom he looked with eyes about
as favorable as on a Protestant, but he preferred that his own nation,
as well as his own order, should monopolize both the glory and the
advantages of the achievement. These feelings, secret almost to
himself, he carefully kept concealed from Sir Christopher, whom he
regretted was not a countryman, and confined himself to the religious
aspect of the case. No opportunity to remove a doubt, or inflame the
zeal of his coadjutor, did he allow to escape.
"There is but one Church," he said, in one of their conversations,
"and only through her sacred portals is the kingdom of heaven to be
entered--a truth received by every Catholic--else, vain and unmeaning
was the solemn tradition of the keys to St. Peter. They who are not
for her are against her, and must be subdued to obedience by mild
means if they will suffice--by harsh, if necessary."
"To these truths I give my entire assent," said the Knight.
"I doubt it not--I doubt it not; but let all take heed, my son, not to
exhaust belief in the shadowy region of theory. Truth should be an
armed soldier to step out to deeds."
"Lord! strengthen me," said the Knight, humbly.
"Such," said the father, "is the prayer of every true Catholic.
Forgive me, my son, if, for the refreshing of my own resolution, and
the strengthening of thy soul, I repeat familiar truths, but which
cannot be too often reiterated, or long enough meditated upon.
Methinks that as I give their vocal sweetness to the air, these old
woods do assume a more reverent aspect, and a tide of holier transport
streams through my heart. Holy Jesus! I would have no will; I would
have no mind but thine. Swallow me up in thine ineffable perfections."
The two crossed themselves at the sacred name, and the Knight softly
said, "Amen."
"But let us be cautious," continued the priest, "not to deceive
ourselves as do some, who fancy themselves sound, and yet are
diseased; who mix up the suggestions of the carnal understanding with
heavenly promptings. Said not holy St. Augustine, _credo quia
impossibile et_? There are minds too shallow to perceive the profound
wisdom of the maxim, and scoff at it as an absurdity. By God's grace,
my son, we are not of the number. We see it; we feel it. Thanks to the
discipline wherewith we have been exercised. Our souls do calmly
repose on this truth, and in its strength shall the servants of the
church triumph. What is impossible to man, is possible with God."
"I embrace this truth," said Sir Christopher.
"Nor when commanded by a superior is it ours to question, in imaginary
wisdom, as is the manner of the world, the propriety of the order. As
an archangel, commissioned by the Supreme Intelligence to execute his
decrees, and pour pestilence or famine upon a land devoted to
destruction for its sins, may not say what doest thou, so must not a
servant of the Order of Jesus doubt the inspiration of him whom he is
bound to obey. Does he so, he is too weak for the post whereunto his
presumption has aspired, and false alike to himself and the cause he
espoused. Not unto the weak in mind, but to the strong in faith, is
committed the cause of the Church."
"Holy Father," said the Knight, "your words probe the secrets of my
soul. I do intend, and practice always, perfect obedience to my
superior, knowing that whatever is ordered by him whom the ordinance
of God, and of our holy Order hath set over me, I may not only perform
without sin, but that the same will redound to my salvation; and yet,
in spite of fastings and prayers, do involuntary doubts sometimes
creep into my mind, which I hasten to banish, as the whisperings of
the devil."
"They are--they are the instigations of Sathanas," said the priest,
crossing himself. "O, my son, whenever these temptations occur,
remember thy vows and obligations, and betake thyself more diligently
to prayer and penance. But, Sir Christopher, it becomes me not to
address thee as a babe in Christ. Though it be thy pleasure to remain
in an inferior position, thou hast a mind which soars with the highest
in the order, and comprehends the theory and working of our regimen.
Upon the divine pattern have we modeled our system, and the operation
of the same must run parallel therewith. As at the head of the
Universe Stands the Law-giver and Ruler, so with us; as obedience to
him is order and truth, so with us; as to accomplish his purposes he
makes use of all influences, tempest, lightning, plague, pestilence,
the sword, as well as of the breeze of health, the refreshing rain and
golden sunshine, now melting with his smile, and now terrifying with
his frown, so do we. Teaches not God by his example how to govern his
world?"
"Aye, possessed we his wisdom," said the Knight.
"Doubt not, that if with a holy motive we seek to do his will, He will
furnish the wisdom. Blessed unto the children of Israel was their
obedience, when hearkening unto Moses, God's vicegerent to them, they
did, stifling all suggestions of infatuated reason which would stamp
the deed as a cruelty, put to the edge of the sword thousands of men,
women, and children, of the unhappy Canaanites. Who will doubt it
right? And thinkest thou the authority of Moses over a few wild tribes
more prevailing, and an act sanctioned by him a temporary guide, more
pleasing than one approved by the successors of St. Peter, more
solemnly and extensively invested with the divine power, and destined
to exist to the end of the world? If the offending heathen might
lawfully be slaughtered at the command of the Jewish leader, it is
impious to shrink from sacrifices like those on the altar of St.
Bartholomew, when required by the Vicar of Christ. If by direction of
one entitled to give the order, I slay my brother, my motive being
obedience, and the promotion of the interests of the Church, the
greater is my reward for overcoming the weakness of the flesh, and
forcing it, albeit, reluctant, to obey. Emptied of myself I am filled
with divine grace. The creature is enabled to be made the sword of the
creator. A higher reason, incomprehensible because so high, is
substituted for the lower, and the dogma of St. Augustine becomes an
animating principle and a living power. Try, prove, search, examine
thyself, my son, and thou wilt find these doubts do arise from the
rebellious reason ever ready to set itself up as God, and to demand
the worship which belongs to Him. Each one would be a law unto
himself, and hence as many laws as law-givers. Let the reason of man
prevail, (an impious thought, and an impossible fact,) and the
seamless coat of Christ is rent, a deluge of all manner of heresies
and abominations follows, and Zion in sackcloth mourns her blighted
hopes. Behold the condition of the world, how it confirms my words!"
"Father, feeling as well as the unsanctified reason, does at times
rebel."
"Alas, they are conspirators together. How willingly the one echoes
the fancies of the other, while they deal out mutual encouragement!
But it needs not to say, to thee at least, that feeling can be no
criterion of truth; or, rather, that the disturbance of the faculties,
baptized with the name of feeling, and which springs from a corrupt
nature, must be hostile thereto. There is in high contemplations on
man's duties, but one infallible test of truth, viz: the Holy
Scriptures, as interpreted by the faithful witness, the Church. To
them, my son, the one as the record, and the other as the inspired
interpreter, is it our duty, and should be the business of our lives,
to bring into subjection the rebellious passions, the fainting
weaknesses and erring reason. Inspired by this grand truth, behold
thousands of devoted men and women, weak with human infirmity, but
sustained by courage from on high, renouncing the dulcet, but
transitory enjoyments of this life, to encounter, for the salvation of
their souls, and of others, privation and sorrow, and painful death.
_Quoe terra non plena nostri laboris?_ Yet, O how contemptible is
the suffering, when compared with the joy of the hope which is set
before us--of the starry crown that awaits the willing martyr! Feed
thy soul, my son, on these divine contemplations, until they become a
part of thyself, and the path that leads to a bloody grave shall be
strewed with roses. Be the motto of our order forever before thine
eyes. From the mystical words in _majorem gloriam Dei_, shall beam a
light brighter and more blessed than that of the sun, for it flows
from the throne of the Eternal."
With suggestions and arguments like these did the enthusiastic father
endeavor to animate and confirm the less exalted resolution of his
fellow-laborer. Nor were they without an influence. As the thirsty
traveller, faint and worn with the toil and heat of the day, drinks of
the refreshing spring, and bathes his brow in its cooling waters, and
goes strengthened on his way, so did the Knight derive vigor from his
words.
At their last meeting, Father Le Vieux announced the conclusion to
which he had persuaded the Taranteens.
"Hostilities at the present time were premature," he said. "The tribes
are not sufficiently united to make head, with all the assistance we
can afford, against the heretics. We will wait awhile, until the
present supposed outrage is followed by another--and, in the position
and temper of the English, it is inevitable--which shall rouse other
tribes. Be sure, the Taranteens will not forget. The war-whoop must
sound simultaneously, from the Kennebec to the mouth of the
Connecticut, or our labor will be worse than lost. Meanwhile, a great
advantage has been gained. A gulf is now between the proud Englishman
and the Taranteen, over which neither will pass. Your report, then, to
them who sent you will be peace. Thus will their confidence in you and
your influence be increased." [At the same time the father gave a
letter for Sister Celestina.] "Tell her," he continued, "of my
admiration of her devotion. Blessed be she among women!"
Thus they parted, the priest to return to his self-sacrificing labors
among the Indians, at no distant period to end in that crown of
martyrdom after which his soul panted, and the Knight to his post of
observation near the English colony.