zealous friend who by the experiences of his own life had become a courageous professor of the gospel,-that Wittstock of whose memorable courage we have already spoken.

of

But Otto knew nothing of all these occurrences. He went to meet the threatening danger, not in dependence on human means and the co-operation of circumstances, but confiding in God alone and with resignation to his will, and regarding his life as of little value compared with the holy cause that he served. At first, he found a place of refuge with his associates in the church built before the city. When their arrival was known among the people, a band of armed men led on by the priests collected round this church; they threatened destruction to the church and death to all who were assembled in it. Here it was shown how the power faith gives true presence of mind and with it the requisite prudence in those decisive moments when everything for the future depends on right action at the time. Had Otto been alarmed and shown signs of fear, his furious adversaries would have proceeded further in their attempts; but by his calm confidence and courage their rage was overpowered. After commending himself and his friends in prayer to God," he went forth in his episcopal robes in the midst of his clergy, who bore before him the crucifix and relics, singing psalms and hymns. The calmness of the bishop, who ventured thus to despise the fury of the raging mob, and a spectacle so adapted to inspire awe, confounded the multitude. Silence followed; this was taken advantage of by the more considerate or by those who favoured Christianity to calm the minds of the rest. The priests were told that they ought to defend their cause, not by force, but by argument. Gradually the multitude dispersed. This happened on a Friday. Otto made use of the next day to prepare himself, by prayer and fasting, for coming events.

Wittstock, who since his wonderful deliverance had never ceased to testify of the Lord to whom he owed so much, was still more animated by the arrival of his beloved spiritual father. He brought his friends and relations to the bishop, and encouraged him not to relax in the conflict. He assured him of victory, and concerted with him on what was to be done.

On the Sunday, Otto, after performing mass, was con

HIS FOLTITUDE AND ULTIMATE SUCCESS.

519

ducted by Wittstock to the market-place. He mounted the steps from which heralds and other official persons were wont to address the people. After Wittstock had requested silence by words and signs, Otto began to speak. The greater part listened quietly and attentively. But now a stout priest of portly appearance and great bodily strength pressed forward, and with his sonorous voice overpowered Otto and his interpreter; he tried to inflame the fury of the Pagans against the enemy of their gods, and demanded of them to make use Lances were of this opportunity for taking vengeance.

raised, but no one ventured to do anything against a man who exhibited such confidence of faith. There was an impression of the power of the divine on the wild multitude and the quiet superiority of calm courage over raging passion, which was aided by the circumstance that a part of those who had assembled had not entirely overcome their earlier impressions of Christianity. Otto availed himself of the favourable impression on their minds; and proceeded, with the of believers collected around him, to that church in which the pagan altar had been erected. He consecrated the church afresh, and repaired at his own cost the injuries that had been done to it.

company

The next day a general meeting of the people was held for the purpose of deciding what course they should adopt in It lasted from early in the relation to religious matters. morning to midnight. Some came forward who described in glowing colours to the assembly all that had happened on the preceding day, in the light of the miraculous, as it had appeared to themselves, and testified with enthusiasm of the active self-sacrificing love of the bishop. Among these The decision persons. Wittstock occupied the first place. was adopted that Christianity should be introduced and everything that belonged to paganism should be destroyed; on the same night, Wittstock hastened to inform the bishop of all that had taken place. The next morning he rose early to thank God, by the celebration of the mass, for what his grace had effected; he also called a meeting of the citizens, and spoke to them words of exhortation which made a deep impression. Many of the lapsed expressed their desire to be Thus the readmitted to the communion of the church. victory of Christianity was decided. Otto, far from shrinking

from martyrdom, would willingly have extended his labours to the Isle of Rugen if he had not been called back by the concerns of his own diocese in the

year 1128.

13. Raimund Lull.

We close these sketches, selected from the missionary history of the Middle Ages, with the delineation of an extraordinary man who was awakened to the higher life in a very peculiar manner, a man possessed of noble qualities and mental endowments which seldom meet in one person, and in whom everything was adorned by the glow of holy loveRaimund Lull. We see in his example how much greatness may be dormant in a human being till, by a ray of light from on high beaming upon him, it is brought into conscious activity. Various talents are required for missionary labour which must be animated by the Holy Spirit; nor can every man do everything under all circumstances. Indeed, the greatest effect proceeds from the power of the simple gospel, from the demonstration of the Spirit and of power which accompanies these fundamental truths in the hearts of men. But among nations possessing scientific culture, where their culture has hitherto been in the service of a religious standpoint opposed to Christianity, that science which does homage to the cross and serves the spirit of the gospel, may be an important instrument in effecting the transition from the former stand-point to Christianity: the example of a Paul is a witness to this, and many examples in the first ages of the church also witness to it. And in such a connection this man of great mental power, Raimund Lull, is to be mentioned, who in all his deep thinking kept this especially in view, how he might find means to bring reason entirely into the obedience of the faith. For the missions of our age, his words are well deserving of meditation.

Raimund Lull was born in the Island of Majorca, in the year 1236. Till his thirtieth year he led a life estranged from all higher aspirations, in the court of the king of the Balearic Islands. And after his marriage, he continued to indulge in pleasure with a violation of matrimonial fidelity. His poetry was devoted to sensual love. In his work on divine contemplation, he mourns over the last first part of

his life. "When we see, O God, the trees first of all bring forth leaves and twigs, and then blossoms, and after the blossoms fruit, it intimates that we should first of all give the signs of a good life, then our good works must be seen, as we see the blossoms follow the leaves; and then the advantages which our good works bring must show themselves, as fruits proceed from the blossoms. If trees are beautiful and good because they bring forth twigs, leaves, blossoms, and fruit, how much more beautiful and better are men when they perform works of love, and glorify their Lord, Creator, and God. Trees and plants follow the law of their destiny in what they do, when step by step they bring forth twigs, leaves, flowers, and fruit; but it is not so with us, for we do the contrary: as we see every day that we do that in youth which we ought to do in old age; and do that in old age which we ought to do in youth. I see, O Lord, that the trees every year bring forth flowers and fruits by which men are refreshed and nourished; but it is not so with me, a sinner. For thirty years I have borne no fruit in the world; yea, rather I have injured my neighbours and friends. If, therefore, the tree which is destitute of reason brings forth more fruit than I have done, I must be deeply ashamed, and acknowledge my great guilt. To thee, O Lord my God, I, thy servant, return many thanks, because I perceive a great difference between the works which I used to perform in my youth and those which I now perform in my declining age. For as then all my works were done in sin and in fellowship with sin, so now, I hope, by thy grace, my works, contemplations, and wishes relate to glorifying thee."* But the feelings of Christian piety which, as they moved his age and

* Quotidie video, Domine, homines senes facere id, quod deberent facere juvenes, et juvenes facere id, quod deberent facere senes; et quotidie video homines facere mane id, quod deberent facere meridie, et vesperi id, quod deberent facere mane; sed de arboribus et herbis non est ita, quia in quolibet tempore anni, et in qualibet hora diei et noctis faciunt ordinate omne id quod faciunt. Video, Domine, quod arbores omni anno producant flores et fructus, per quos lætificantur et sustentantur homines; sed non est ita de me peccatore, quia triginta annis non fui in hoc mundo fructuosus, imo fui nocivus meis vicinis et meis amicis: igitur, cum arbor, quæ est sine intellectu et ratione, sit fructuosior quam ego fuerim, valde verecundor et me reputo valde culpabilem.-Raymundus Lullus, Lib. Contempl. in Deum, cap. 107, § 5, 6, tom. ix. p. 237.

people, were communicated to him by education, had still not lost all their influence over him, though mingled with predominant sensuality. We here see, as in many other instances, the great blessing of pious influences on the development of childhood, which, in a life carried away by sensual desires and passions, may revive again at last. So it was with Raimond Lull. From these influences the opposition proceeded against that which had hitherto animated his life. When one night he sat on his bed and wished to make an amatory poem, the image of the crucified Saviour was presented to his eyes, and made so powerful an impression upon him that he could think no more of his love-song. He wished not to give it up; he began again, but that image came before him again still more vividly, and at last he was obliged to desist from his intended composition. Day and night that image floated before him, and he could not shake off the impression. We must, indeed, acknowledge, when we consider the manifold dealings of divine grace with the souls of men, whom divine love follows in order to redeem, that although the power of the divine over the heart is always the same, yet the manner in which the impression of it is rendered conscious depends on the peculiarity of the mental constitution, and the temperament; and thus conversion is effected either more gradually, or at once by a great revolution. In the case of Raimund Lull, the man of poetic spirit, in whom imagination predominated, in whom the power of the divine came forth in opposition to the earlier ruling power of sensual passion, the divine power of the impression which the image of Christ made on his heart was represented in the form of a vision. He received it as an admonition that he should withdraw himself from the world, and devote himself entirely to the service of Christ. But now the question arose in his mind,-How shall I turn away from my hitherto impure life to so holy a calling? This thought gave him no rest at night. Then he said to himself: 66 Christ is so gentle,

and patient, and merciful; he calls all sinners to him, and will not reject me, notwithstanding my sins." Thus he became certain that it was God's will that he should forsake the world, and devote himself with his whole heart to the service of Christ.

Having resolved to dedicate himself wholly to the Lord's