ent to
accomplish the salvation of the nations? And if it be the duty of
every Catholic to set the welfare of the Church before all other
considerations, and to die a thousand deaths before abandoning it, how
much more is it the life-business of each member of the Society of
Jesus to sacrifice all things for her! Power, wealth, fame, life, and
honor, which some value more than life, what are they all when weighed
against that one duty and the reward that awaits its observance? The
principles of the blessed Company of Jesus are not the crude fancies
of some crazy heretic, nor suggestions of man's unguided reason, but
they are conclusions of wise men inspired by the Holy Spirit, and
infallibly directed to truth! Such thou and I have acknowledged them
to be by becoming members of the Order, and thereby assuming its
obligations. My faith burns daily brighter--each obstacle but inflames
my zeal. If, by my martyrdom, I could advance our cause one hour, how
gladly would I lay down a life worthless, if not spent in the service
of the Church."

Father Le Vieux paused, his fine face beaming with enthusiasm, while
the Knight bent again his head, and, kissing the priest's hand,
murmured "_Peccavi_."

"Thy faithfulness I commend," resumed the father, "but as thy
spiritual guide, I warn thee against human weakness. It is a mighty
discourager of great undertakings. Only by faith and remembrance of
what thou art vowed to, can it be overcome. Nor doubt, though thou
dost not clearly understand, and but little progress seems to be made.
Remember that though we must soon depart, the Society of Jesus
remains. Our Order may be as the drops of water perpetually falling on
a rock, which are dashed into fragments by the fall; yet is the fate
of the repelling body inevitable, and, after centuries, it is doomed
to be washed away."

"Reverend Father," said the Knight, "I will bury thy words, in my
mind, and often meditate upon them."

"Do so, my son, and by the aid of Holy Mary, and the Saints, and
blessed Evangelists, doubt not they will profit. But I charge thee to
beware of laic reason and human impulses. Refer all things to the
standard whereby thou hast been taught, for so only will it be well.
Farewell; morning approaches, and I depart, for I would not have the
presence of a white man suspected by thy companion. I will communicate
further with thee as opportunity presents, and, meanwhile, I will
consider how thy mission may be made to