they could easily induce the deluded multitude to believe this. Their influence succeeded so far that the people banded together to demolish a christian church. The most alarming representations were now circulated of the fury of the pagans in Stettin, and of the danger that threatened all who ventured to come forward in behalf of christianity. Otto was not alarmed, but his clergy had not equal strength of faith, and fear held them back.

Otto could not overcome their opposition by his remonstrances, and he resolved to act alone in the matter. After spending a day in solitude, he stole away in the evening, and he was not missed till they wished to call him to the early morning service. Seized with shame and anxiety for their spiritual father, they hastened after him, and obliged him to return; but the next morning they set out with him and sailed for Stettin.

It was not yet known how the seed scattered by this missionary, which seemed to have perished, remained and germinated in secret. A reaction of the christianity already deeply implanted in the minds of many, at last effected, under a combination of favorable circumstances, its victory over paganism. It appeared the Divine principle had gained an entrance among the better educated, higher class of persons. On them the heathen priests could not so easily operate, and among them reviving paganism could find no point of connection; only they did not venture to come forward against the clamor of the raging multitude.

In the popular uproar which had for its object the demolition of a church, it so happened that one of the persons who took an active part in it, while aiming a blow with a hammer, was suddenly seized as if with a fainting fit. His hand was paralyzed. He let the hammer drop, and fell himself from the ladder. He probably belonged to the number of apostate christians. The faith, which was not entirely expelled from his soul perhaps, again asserted its power; hence a mental conflict arose, terror seized him and palsied his hand when he attempted to join in destroying the temple dedicated to the God of the christians. Still paganism swayed his soul. He

could not renounce the worship of his ancient gods; but at the same time the God whose temple they wished to demolish, appeared to him as a being against whom no human power could avail, as it was proved, and hence he advised, in order to be on good terms with all the divinities, that near this church altars should be erected to the gods of the country. This was often a bridge which led from heathenism to christianity, when the pagans began first of all to acknowledge the God of the christians as a powerful deity, together with their ancient gods.

By all these favorable circumstances, preparation was made for Otto's renewed labors in Stettin, and he found here a zealous friend, who, by the experiences of his own life, had become a courageous professor of the gospel, viz.: Wittstock.

But Otto knew nothing of all these occurrences. He went to meet the threatening danger, not in dependence on human means and the coöperation 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 which he served.

At first, he found a place of refuge with his associates in the church built before the city. But a band of armed men, led on by the priests, surrounded the church, and threatened death and destruction to those gathered there. Here it was shown, however, how the power of faith gives true presence of mind, and with it the requisite prudence in those decisive moments when every thing for the future depends on right action at the time. Had Otto been alarmed and showed signs of fear, his furious adversaries would have proceeded further in their attempts; but by his calm confidence and courage their rage was overpowered.

He continued to labor for a time, and persecution still continued, but still he wavered not. He was far from shrinking from martyrdom, and he would willingly have extended his labors to the Isle of Rugen, if he had not been called back by the concerns of his own diocese in 1128. His work was not yet done, and he went on faithfully to perform it, till his heavenly Master called him home to Himself in glory.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Baimund Lull.

HIS BIRTH-PLACE; CHARACTER OF HIS EARLY LIFE; PECULIAR MENTAL CONSTITUTION INFLUENCES HIS RELIGIOUS LIFE; LABORS IN

VARIOUS PLACES; FINALLY STONED TO DEATH.

HIS extraordinary man was awakened to the higher life in a very peculiar manner. He was possessed of noble qualities, and high mental endowments, such as seldom meet in one person, and all was adorned with a glow of holy love. 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 labor which must be animated by the Holy Spirit ; nor can every man do every thing 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 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.

He 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 loss of the 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 better and more beautiful are men when they perform works of love, and glorify their Creator,—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 neighbors 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, my God, I return many thanks, because I perceive a great difference between the works I used to perform in my youth, and those I now do 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 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 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 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, "Christ is so gentle, 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, he proceeded to consider in what way this resolution might be best carried out, and he came to the firm conviction that he could engage in no employment more pleasing to the Saviour than devoting his life to the publication of the gospel.