Columbanus, the Celt: A Tale of the Sixth Century Book

BOOK I The Boy and the Man I Listen, oh son, to the precepts of thy Master, and incline to Him the ear of thy heart do not fear to receive the counsel of a good father, and to fulfil1 it faithfully, that thy laborious obedirnce may lead thee back to Hitn from t hoin thy disobediei ce and sloth have alienated thee.-Rule of Sf. Bet cdict. IT was the early summer of the year 529 A. D. - that year when the Greek Emperor Justinian is sued his celebrated Code of Laws for the better government of his people in the Eastern and Western Empires. The necessity of such a Code of Laws was no where more apparent than in the different states of Italy, where the frequent invasions of the Goths and Ostrogoths had thrown everything into the greatest confusion, thereby upsetting the old laws and customs of society. Not only did this unsettled condition pervade the State, but it had likewise found its way into the Church-where worldly-minded people were spreading new fan cies and false religious theories that were mis leading many people. This freedom of thought, freedom of speech, freedom of action, now carried to excess, is de generating into license and lawlessness, until neither life nor property is safe from the depreda tions of people who live only to eat and enjoy themselves. The spirit of unrest is spreading everywhere and many Christians forget their high calling, and neglect their duty to God and their fellow creatures. Others, only half converted to Christianity, stiIl cling to the superstitious prac tices of Paganism. Consequently the leaders of good must find some way to bring the people back to the old laws of justice and piety, else hu manity will return to that Paganism out of which Christianity so laboriously brought it into light. So spoke the older of the two men who walked along the dusty highway that led from Kome to the little town of Cassinum in Central Italy. For many hours they had been discussing this subject as they waIkcd along. But who will be the new Moses that will lead the people out of the slavery of worldliness and back to God asked the other who will do this great work Surely it will re uirta man of great faith in God, and much patience with his fellow creature. At present faith seems dead in the hearts of many of our people-they livebonly to enjoy the animal pIeasures of life. The greed for money, and the lust for power and pleasure, seem to have taken possession even of the lower classes of society, as wdl as of the upper classes while God and His service are forgotten, or neg lected. Oh, sordid times I Oh, base morals To which the older man replied Each of us in his own life, my son, must shorn to the world that peace and happiness are found in prayer and work for Gods glory. Then God will do the rest - let us not despair of His help. Then glancing aside he said Brother Romanus, this must be Varros fountain, for we are now near Cassinum. Yes, Father Benedict, this must be the spot, replied the younger man it seems to answer to the description we have received...Read More