“The slightest knowledge of the accomplishments of the Tudor and early Stuart times compels us to admit the extensive acquaintance with Latin writers possessed by classes to whom now they seem so little fitted,” remarked Herbert.
“An acquaintance arising in all probability from the absence of a native literature, as well as from the position held by the Latin language in that age; the French of the present generation,” rejoined Thompson.
“Whose conversions have we to-night?” asked Herbert.
“Not any: not that my catalogue is run out, but partly because I have not been able to keep up with the speed of our reading; and partly because I wished to illustrate the moralizations attached to the tales, which we have lately rather lost sight of.”
“What peculiar doctrine are you intending to illustrate?” asked Herbert.
“The 26th article of our Church, that the effect of the ordinance is not taken away, nor the grace of God’s gifts diminished by the ministration of evil men; it is the story of
In the reign of Otho there was a certain wicked priest who created much dissatisfaction among his parishioners; and many were extremely scandalized. One of them, in particular, always absented himself from the mass when it was the turn of this priest to celebrate it. Now it happened on a festival day, during the time of mass, that as this person was walking alone through a meadow, a sudden thirst came upon him, insomuch that he was persuaded, unless present relief could be obtained, he should die.
In this extremity continuing his walk, he discovered a rivulet of the purest water, of which he copiously drank; but the more he drank the more violent became his thirst. Surprised at so unusual a circumstance, he said to himself:
“I will find out the source of this rivulet, and there will I satisfy my thirst.”
With these thoughts he went up the stream. And as he went a venerable old man met and asked him whither he was going.
“Father,” he replied, “I am oppressed with an unquenchable thirst, and even now I drank of this rivulet; and lo, the more I drink, so much the more I thirst; and I now seek its source, if, perchance, I may there quench my thirst, and not die.”
The old man pointed with his finger: “There,” said he, “is the spring-head of the rivulet. But tell me, my honest friend, why are you not at church, and, with other good Christians, hearing mass?”