——Isir？Why，sir？
Alittlewaveofquietmirthbrokeforthovertheclassofboysfromtherector\'sgrimsmile。Stephen\'sheartbeganslowlytofoldandfadewithfearlikeawitheringflower。
Therectorwentongravely:——
YouareallfamiliarwiththestoryofthelifeofsaintFrancisXavier，Isuppose，thepatronofyourcollege。HecameofanoldandillustriousSpanishfamilyandyourememberthathewasoneofthefirstfollowersofsaintIgnatius。TheymetinPariswhereFrancisXavierwasprofessorofphilosophyattheuniversity。Thisyoungandbrilliantnoblemanandmanoflettersenteredheartandsoulintotheideasofourgloriousfounderandyouknowthathe，athisowndesire，wassentbysaintIgnatiustopreachtotheIndians。Heiscalled，asyouknow，theapostleoftheIndies。
Hewentfromcountrytocountryintheeast，fromAfricatoIndia，fromIndiatoJapan，baptizingthepeople。Heissaidtohavebaptizedasmanyastenthousandidolatersinonemonth。Itissaidthathisrightarmhadgrownpowerlessfromhavingbeenraisedsooftenovertheheadsofthosewhomhebaptized。HewishedthentogotoChinatowinstillmoresoulsforGodbuthediedoffeverontheislandofSancian。Agreatsaint，saintFrancisXavier!AgreatsoldierofGod!
Therectorpausedandthen，shakinghisclaspedhandsbeforehim，wenton:——
Hehadthefaithinhimthatmovesmountains。TenthousandsoulswonforGodinasinglemonth!Thatisatrueconqueror，truetothemottoofourorder:admajoremDeigloriam!Asaintwhohasgreatpowerinheaven，remember:powertointercedeforusinourgrief；powertoobtainwhateverweprayforifitbeforthegoodofoursouls；powerabovealltoobtainforusthegracetorepentifwebeinsin。Agreatsaint，saintFrancisXavier!Agreatfisherofsouls!
Heceasedtoshakehisclaspedhandsand，restingthemagainsthisforehead，lookedrightandleftofthemkeenlyathislistenersoutofhisdarksterneyes。
Inthesilencetheirdarkfirekindledtheduskintoatawnyglow。Stephen\'shearthadwithereduplikeaflowerofthedesertthatfeelsthesimoomcomingfromafar——
Rememberonlythylastthingsandthoushaltnotsinforever-wordstaken，mydearlittlebrothersinChrist，fromthebookofEcclesiastes，seventhchapter，fortiethverse。InthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolyGhost。Amen。
Stephensatinthefrontbenchofthechapel。FatherArnallsatatatabletotheleftofthealtar。Heworeabouthisshouldersaheavycloak；
hispalefacewasdrawnandhisvoicebrokenwithrheum。Thefigureofhisoldmaster，sostrangelyrearisen，broughtbacktoStephen\'smindhislifeatClongowes:thewideplaygrounds，swarmingwithboys；thesquareditch；thelittlecemeteryoffthemainavenueoflimeswherehehaddreamedofbeingburied；thefirelightonthewalloftheinfirmarywherehelaysick；thesorrowfulfaceofBrotherMichael。Hissoul，asthesememoriescamebacktohim，becameagainachild\'ssoul——
Weareassembledheretoday，mydearlittlebrothersinChrist，foronebriefmomentfarawayfromthebusybustleoftheouterworldtocelebrateandtohonouroneofthegreatestofsaints，theapostleoftheIndies，thepatronsaintalsoofyourcollege，saintFrancisXavier。Yearafteryear，formuchlongerthananyofyou，mydearlittleboys，canrememberorthanIcanremember，theboysofthiscollegehavemetinthisverychapeltomaketheirannualretreatbeforethefeastdayoftheirpatronsaint。Timehasgoneonandbroughtwithititschanges。Eveninthelastfewyearswhatchangescanmostofyounotremember？Manyoftheboyswhosatinthosefrontbenchesafewyearsagoareperhapsnowindistantlands，intheburningtropics，orimmersedinprofessionaldutiesorinseminaries，orvoyagingoverthevastexpanseofthedeepor，itmaybe，alreadycalledbythegreatGodtoanotherlifeandtotherenderingupoftheirstewardship。
Andstillastheyearsrollby，bringingwiththemchangesforgoodandbad，thememoryofthegreatsaintishonouredbytheboysofthiscollegewhomakeeveryyeartheirannualretreatonthedaysprecedingthefeastdaysetapartbyourHolyMothertheChurchtotransmittoalltheagesthenameandfameofoneofthegreatestsonsofcatholicSpain——
NowwhatisthemeaningofthiswordretreatandwhyisitallowedonallhandstobeamostsalutarypracticeforallwhodesiretoleadbeforeGodandintheeyesofmenatrulychristianlife？Aretreat，mydearboys，signifiesawithdrawalforawhilefromthecaresofourlife，thecaresofthisworkadayworld，inordertoexaminethestateofourconscience，toreflectonthemysteriesofholyreligionandtounderstandbetterwhywearehereinthisworld。DuringthesefewdaysIintendtoputbeforeyousomethoughtsconcerningthefourlastthings。Theyare，asyouknowfromyourcatechism，death，judgement，hell，andheaven。Weshalltrytounderstandthemfullyduringthesefewdayssothatwemayderivefromtheunderstandingofthemalastingbenefittooursouls。Andremember，mydearboys，thatwehavebeensentintothisworldforonethingandforonethingalone:todoGod\'sholywillandtosaveourimmortalsouls。Allelseisworthless。Onethingaloneisneedful，thesalvationofone\'ssoul。Whatdothitprofitamantogainthewholeworldifhesufferthelossofhisimmortalsoul？Ah，mydearboys，believemethereisnothinginthiswretchedworldthatcanmakeupforsuchaloss——
Iwillaskyou，therefore，mydearboys，toputawayfromyourmindsduringthesefewdaysallworldlythoughts，whetherofstudyorpleasureorambition，andtogiveallyourattentiontothestateofyoursouls。
Ineedhardlyremindyouthatduringthedaysoftheretreatallboysareexpectedtopreserveaquietandpiousdemeanourandtoshunallloudunseemlypleasure。Theelderboys，ofcourse，willseethatthiscustomisnotinfringedandIlookespeciallytotheprefectsandofficersofthesodalityofOurBlessedLadyandofthesodalityoftheholyangelstosetagoodexampletotheirfellow-students——
Letustry，therefore，tomakethisretreatinhonourofsaintFranciswithourwholeheartandourwholemind。God\'sblessingwillthenbeuponallyouryear\'sstudies。But，aboveandbeyondall，letthisretreatbeonetowhichyoucanlookbackinafteryearswhenmaybeyouarefarfromthiscollegeandamongverydifferentsurroundings，towhichyoucanlookbackwithjoyandthankfulnessandgivethankstoGodforhavinggrantedyouthisoccasionoflayingthefirstfoundationofapioushonourablezealouschristianlife。Andif，asmaysohappen，therebeatthismomentinthesebenchesanypoorsoulwhohashadtheunutterablemisfortunetoloseGod\'sholygraceandtofallintogrievoussin，Iferventlytrustandpraythatthisretreatmaybetheturningpointinthelifeofthatsoul。IpraytoGodthroughthemeritsofHiszealousservantFrancisXavier，thatsuchasoulmaybeledtosincererepentanceandthattheholycommuniononsaintFrancis\'sdayofthisyearmaybealastingcovenantbetweenGodandthatsoul。Forjustandunjust，forsaintandsinneralike，maythisretreatbeamemorableone——
Helpme，mydearlittlebrothersinChrist。Helpmebyyourpiousattention，byyourowndevotion，byyouroutwarddemeanour。Banishfromyourmindsallworldlythoughtsandthinkonlyofthelastthings，death，judgement，hell，andheaven。Hewhoremembersthesethings，saysEcclesiastes，shallnotsinforever。Hewhoremembersthelastthingswillactandthinkwiththemalwaysbeforehiseyes。Hewillliveagoodlifeanddieagooddeath，believingandknowingthat，ifhehassacrificedmuchinthisearthlylife，itwillbegiventohimahundredfoldandathousandfoldmoreinthelifetocome，inthekingdomwithoutend-ablessing，mydearboys，whichIwishyoufrommyheart，oneandall，inthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolyGhost。Amen!
Ashewalkedhomewithsilentcompanions，athickfogseemedtocompasshismind。Hewaitedinstuporofmindtillitshouldliftandrevealwhatithadhidden。Heatehisdinnerwithsurlyappetiteandwhenthemealwasoverandthegrease-strewnplateslayabandonedonthetable，heroseandwenttothewindow，clearingthethickscumfromhismouthwithhistongueandlickingitfromhislips。Sohehadsunktothestateofabeastthatlickshischapsaftermeat。Thiswastheend；andafaintglimmeroffearbegantopiercethefogofhismind。Hepressedhisfaceagainstthepaneofthewindowandgazedoutintothedarkeningstreet。Formspassedthiswayandthatthroughthedulllight。Andthatwaslife。ThelettersofthenameofDublinlayheavilyuponhismind，pushingoneanothersurlilyhitherandthitherwithslowboorishinsistence。Hissoulwasfatteningandcongealingintoagrossgrease，plungingeverdeeperinitsdullfearintoasombrethreateningduskwhilethebodythatwashisstood，listlessanddishonoured，gazingoutofdarkenedeyes，helpless，perturbed，andhumanforabovinegodtostareupon。
Thenextdaybroughtdeathandjudgement，stirringhissoulslowlyfromitslistlessdespair。Thefaintglimmeroffearbecameaterrorofspiritasthehoarsevoiceofthepreacherblewdeathintohissoul。Hesuffereditsagony。Hefeltthedeathchilltouchtheextremitiesandcreeponwardtowardstheheart，thefilmofdeathveilingtheeyes，thebrightcentresofthebrainextinguishedonebyonelikelamps，thelastsweatoozingupontheskin，thepowerlessnessofthedyinglimbs，thespeechthickeningandwanderingandfailing，theheartthrobbingfaintlyandmorefaintly，allbutvanquished，thebreath，thepoorbreath，thepoorhelplesshumanspirit，sobbingandsighing，gurglingandrattlinginthethroat。Nohelp!
Nohelp!He-hehimself-hisbodytowhichhehadyieldedwasdying。
Intothegravewithit。Nailitdownintoawoodenboxthecorpse。Carryitoutofthehouseontheshouldersofhirelings。Thrustitoutofmen\'ssightintoalongholeintheground，intothegrave，torot，tofeedthemassofitscreepingwormsandtobedevouredbyscuttlingplump-belliedrats。
Andwhilethefriendswerestillstandingintearsbythebedsidethesoulofthesinnerwasjudged。Atthelastmomentofconsciousnessthewholeearthlylifepassedbeforethevisionofthesouland，ereithadtimetoreflect，thebodyhaddiedandthesoulstoodterrifiedbeforethejudgementseat。God，whohadlongbeenmerciful，wouldthenbejust。
Hehadlongbeenpatient，pleadingwiththesinfulsoul，givingittimetorepent，sparingityetawhile。Butthattimehadgone。Timewastosinandtoenjoy，timewastoscoffatGodandatthewarningsofHisholychurch，timewastodefyHismajesty，todisobeyHiscommands，tohoodwinkone\'sfellowmen，tocommitsinaftersinandtohideone\'scorruptionfromthesightofmen。Butthattimewasover。NowitwasGod\'sturn:andHewasnottobehoodwinkedordeceived。Everysinwouldthencomeforthfromitslurkingplace，themostrebelliousagainstthedivinewillandthemostdegradingtoourpoorcorruptnature，thetiniestimperfectionandthemostheinousatrocity。Whatdiditavailthentohavebeenagreatemperor，agreatgeneral，amarvellousinventor，themostlearnedofthelearned？AllwereasonebeforethejudgementseatofGod。Hewouldrewardthegoodandpunishthewicked。Onesingleinstantwasenoughforthetrialofaman\'ssoul。Onesingleinstantafterthebody\'sdeath，thesoulhadbeenweighedinthebalance。Theparticularjudgementwasoverandthesoulhadpassedtotheabodeofblissortotheprisonofpurgatoryorhadbeenhurledhowlingintohell。
Norwasthatall。God\'sjusticehadstilltobevindicatedbeforemen:
aftertheparticulartherestillremainedthegeneraljudgement。Thelastdayhadcome。Thedoomsdaywasathand。Thestarsofheavenwerefallingupontheearthlikethefigscastbythefig-treewhichthewindhasshaken。
Thesun，thegreatluminaryoftheuniverse，hadbecomeassackclothofhair。Themoonwasblood-red。Thefirmamentwasasascrollrolledaway。
ThearchangelMichael，theprinceoftheheavenlyhost，appearedgloriousandterribleagainstthesky。Withonefootontheseaandonefootonthelandheblewfromthearch-angelicaltrumpetthebrazendeathoftime。
Thethreeblastsoftheangelfilledalltheuniverse。Timeis，timewas，buttimeshallbenomore。AtthelastblastthesoulsofuniversalhumanitythrongtowardsthevalleyofJehoshaphat，richandpoor，gentleandsimple，wiseandfoolish，goodandwicked。Thesoulofeveryhumanbeingthathaseverexisted，thesoulsofallthosewhoshallyetbeborn，allthesonsanddaughtersofAdam，allareassembledonthatsupremeday。Andlo，thesupremejudgeiscoming!NolongerthelowlyLambofGod，nolongerthemeekJesusofNazareth，nolongertheManofSorrows，nolongertheGoodShepherd，Heisseennowcomingupontheclouds，ingreatpowerandmajesty，attendedbyninechoirsofangels，angelsandarchangels，principalities，powersandvirtues，thronesanddominations，cherubimandseraphim，GodOmnipotent，GodEverlasting。Hespeaks:andHisvoiceisheardevenatthefarthestlimitsofspace，evenInthebottomlessabyss。SupremeJudge，fromHissentence
therewillbeandcanbenoappeal。HecallsthejusttoHisside，biddingthementerintothekingdom，theeternityofblisspreparedforthem。TheunjustHecastsfromHim，cryinginHisoffendedmajesty:Departfromme，yecursed，intoeverlastingfirewhichwaspreparedforthedevilandhisangels。O，whatagonythenforthemiserablesinners!Friendistornapartfromfriend，childrenaretornfromtheirparents，husbandsfromtheirwives。Thepoorsinnerholdsouthisarmstothosewhoweredeartohiminthisearthlyworld，tothosewhosesimplepietyperhapshemadeamockof，tothosewhocounselledhimandtriedtoleadhimontherightpath，toakindbrother，toalovingsister，tothemotherandfatherwholovedhimsodearly。Butitistoolate:thejustturnawayfromthewretcheddamnedsoulswhichnowappearbeforetheeyesofallintheirhideousandevilcharacter。Oyouhypocrites，O，youwhitedsepulchres，Oyouwhopresentasmoothsmilingfacetotheworldwhileyoursoulwithinisafoulswampofsin，howwillitfarewithyouinthatterribleday？
Andthisdaywillcome，shallcome，mustcome:thedayofdeathandthedayofjudgement。Itisappointeduntomantodieandafterdeaththejudgement。Deathiscertain。Thetimeandmannerareuncertain，whetherfromlongdiseaseorfromsomeunexpectedaccident:theSonofGodcomethatanhourwhenyoulittleexpectHim。Bethereforereadyeverymoment，seeingthatyoumaydieatanymoment。Deathistheendofusall。Deathandjudgement，broughtintotheworldbythesinofourfirstparents，arethedarkportalsthatcloseourearthlyexistence，theportalsthatopenintotheunknownandtheunseen，portalsthroughwhicheverysoulmustpass，alone，unaidedsavebyitsgoodworks，withoutfriendorbrotherorparentormastertohelpit，aloneandtrembling。Letthatthoughtbeeverbeforeourmindsandthenwecannotsin。Death，acauseofterrortothesinner，isablessedmomentforhimwhohaswalkedintherightpath，fulfillingthedutiesofhisstationinlife，attendingtohismorningandeveningprayers，approachingtheholysacramentfrequentlyandperforminggoodandmercifulworks。Forthepiousandbelievingcatholic，forthejustman，deathisnocauseofterror。WasitnotAddison，thegreatEnglishwriter，who，whenonhisdeathbed，sentforthewickedyoungearlofWarwicktolethimseehowachristiancanmeethisend？Heitisandhealone，thepiousandbelievingchristian，whocansayinhisheart:Ograve，whereisthyvictory？
Odeath，whereisthysting？Everywordofitwasforhim。Againsthissin，foulandsecret，thewholewrathofGodwasaimed。Thepreacher\'sknifehadprobeddeeplyintohisdisclosedconscienceandhefeltnowthathissoulwasfesteringinsin。
Yes，thepreacherwasright。God\'sturnhadcome。Likeabeastinitslairhissoulhadlaindowninitsownfilthbuttheblastsoftheangel\'strumpethaddrivenhimforthfromthedarknessofsinintothelight。Thewordsofdoomcriedbytheangelshatteredinaninstanthispresumptuouspeace。
Thewindofthelastdayblewthroughhismind，hissins，thejewel-eyedharlotsofhisimagination，fledbeforethehurricane，squeakinglikemiceintheirterrorandhuddledunderamaneofhair。
Ashecrossedthesquare，walkinghomeward，thelightlaughterofagirlreachedhisburningear。Thefrailgaysoundsmotehisheartmorestronglythanatrumpetblast，and，notdaringtolifthiseyes，heturnedasideandgazed，ashewalked，intotheshadowofthetangledshrubs。Shamerosefromhissmittenheartandfloodedhiswholebeing。TheimageofEmmaappearedbeforehim，andunderhereyesthefloodofshamerushedforthanewfromhisheart。Ifsheknewtowhathismindhadsubjectedherorhowhisbrute-likelusthadtornandtrampleduponherinnocence!Wasthatboyishlove？Wasthatchivalry？Wasthatpoetry？Thesordiddetailsofhisorgiesstankunderhisverynostrils。Thesoot-coatedpacketofpictureswhichhehadhiddenintheflueofthefireplaceandinthepresenceofwhoseshamelessorbashfulwantonnesshelayforhourssinningInthoughtanddeed；hismonstrousdreams，peopledbyape-likecreaturesandbyharlotswithgleamingjeweleyes；thefoullonglettershehadwritteninthejoyofguiltyconfessionandcarriedsecretlyfordaysanddaysonlytothrowthemundercoverofnightamongthegrassinthecornerofafieldorbeneathsomehingelessdoorinsomenicheinthehedgeswhereagirlmightcomeuponthemasshewalkedbyandreadthemsecretly。Mad!Mad!Wasitpossiblehehaddonethesethings？Acoldsweatbrokeoutuponhisforeheadasthefoulmemoriescondensedwithinhisbrain。
Whentheagonyofshamehadpassedfromhimhetriedtoraisehissoulfromitsabjectpowerlessness。GodandtheBlessedVirginweretoofarfromhim:GodwastoogreatandsternandtheBlessedVirgintoopureandholy。ButheimaginedthathestoodnearEmmainawidelandand，humblyandintears，bentandkissedtheelbowofhersleeve。
Inthewidelandunderatenderlucideveningsky，aclouddriftingwestwardamidapalegreenseaofheaven，theystoodtogether，childrenthathaderred。TheirerrorhadoffendeddeeplyGod\'smajestythoughitwastheerroroftwochildren；butithadnotoffendedherwhosebeautyisnotlikeearthlybeauty，dangeroustolookupon，butlikethemorningstarwhich。isitsemblem，brightandmusical。Theeyeswerenotoffendedwhichsheturneduponhimnorreproachful。Sheplacedtheirhandstogether，handinhand，andsaid，speakingtotheirhearts:——
Takehands，StephenandEmma。Itisabeautifuleveningnowinheaven。
Youhaveerredbutyouarealwaysmychildren。Itisoneheartthatlovesanotherheart。Takehandstogether，mydearchildren，andyouwillbehappytogetherandyourheartswillloveeachother。
Thechapelwasfloodedbythedullscarletlightthatfilteredthroughtheloweredblinds；andthroughthefissurebetweenthelastblindandthesashashaftofwanlightenteredlikeaspearandtouchedtheembossedbrassesofthecandlesticksuponthealtarthatgleamedlikethebattle-wornmailarmourofangels。
Rainwasfallingonthechapel，onthegarden，onthecollege。Itwouldrainforever，noiselessly。Thewaterwouldriseinchbyinch，coveringthegrassandshrubs，coveringthetreesandhouses，coveringthemonumentsandthemountaintops。Alllifewouldbechokedoff，noiselessly:birds，men，elephants，pigs，children:noiselesslyfloatingcorpsesamidthelitterofthewreckageoftheworld。Fortydaysandfortynightstherainwouldfalltillthewaterscoveredthefaceoftheearth。
Itmightbe。Whynot？——
Hellhasenlargeditssoulandopeneditsmouthwithoutanylimits-wordstaken，mydearlittlebrothersinChristJesus，fromthebookofIsaias，fifthchapter，fourteenthverse。InthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolyGhost。Amen。
Thepreachertookachainlesswatchfromapocketwithinhissoutaneand，havingconsidereditsdialforamomentinsilence，placeditsilentlybeforehimonthetable。
Hebegantospeakinaquiettone——
AdamandEve，mydearboys，were，asyouknow，ourfirstparents，andyouwillrememberthattheywerecreatedbyGodinorderthattheseatsinheavenleftvacantbythefallofLuciferandhisrebelliousangelsmightbefilledagain。Lucifer，wearetold，wasasonofthemorning，aradiantandmightyangel；yethefell:hefellandtherefellwithhimathirdpartofthehostofheaven:hefellandwashurledwithhisrebelliousangelsintohell。Whathissinwaswecannotsay。Theologiansconsiderthatitwasthesinofpride，thesinfulthoughtconceivedinaninstant:nonserviam:Iwillnotserve。Thatinstantwashisruin。
HeoffendedthemajestyofGodbythesinfulthoughtofoneinstantandGodcasthimoutofheavenintohellforever——
AdamandEvewerethencreatedbyGodandplacedinEden，intheplainofDamascus，thatlovelygardenresplendentwithsunlightandcolour，teemingwithluxuriantvegetation。Thefruitfulearthgavethemherbounty:
beastsandbirdsweretheirwillingservants:theyknewnottheillsourfleshisheirto，diseaseandpovertyanddeath:allthatagreatandgenerousGodcoulddoforthemwasdone。ButtherewasoneconditionimposedonthembyGod:obediencetoHisword。Theywerenottoeatofthefruitoftheforbiddentree——
Alas，mydearlittleboys，theytoofell。Thedevil，onceashiningangel，asonofthemorning，nowafoulfiendcameintheshapeofaserpent，thesubtlestofallthebeastsofthefield。Heenviedthem。He，thefallengreatone，couldnotbeartothinkthatman，abeingofclay，shouldpossesstheinheritancewhichhebyhissinhadforfeitedforever。Hecametothewoman，theweakervessel，andpouredthepoisonofhiseloquenceintoherear，promisingher-O，theblasphemyofthatpromise!-thatifsheandAdamateoftheforbiddenfruittheywouldbecomeasgods，nayasGodHimself。Eveyieldedtothewilesofthearchtempter。SheatetheappleandgaveitalsotoAdamwhohadnotthemoralcouragetoresisther。ThepoisontongueofSatanhaddoneitswork。Theyfell——
AndthenthevoiceofGodwasheardinthatgarden，callingHiscreaturemantoaccount:andMichael，princeoftheheavenlyhost，withaswordofflameinhishand，appearedbeforetheguiltypairanddrovethemforthfromEdenintotheworld，theworldofsicknessandstriving，ofcrueltyanddisappointment，oflabourandhardship，toearntheirbreadinthesweatoftheirbrow。ButeventhenhowmercifulwasGod!HetookpityonourpoordegradedparentsandpromisedthatinthefullnessoftimeHewouldsenddownfromheavenOnewhowouldredeemthem，makethemoncemorechildrenofGodandheirstothekingdomofheaven:andthatOne，thatRedeemeroffallenman，wastobeGod\'sonlybegottenSon，theSecondPersonoftheMostBlessedTrinity，theEternalWord——
Hecame。Hewasbornofavirginpure，Marythevirginmother。HewasborninapoorcowhouseinJudeaandlivedasahumblecarpenterforthirtyyearsuntilthehourofHismissionhadcome。Andthen，filledwithloveformen，Hewentforthandcalledtomentohearthenewgospel——
Didtheylisten？Yes，theylistenedbutwouldnothear。Hewasseizedandboundlikeacommoncriminal，mockedatasafool，setasidetogiveplacetoapublicrobber，scourgedwithfivethousandlashes，crownedwithacrownofthorns，hustledthroughthestreetsbythejewishrabbleandtheRomansoldiery，strippedofhisgarmentsandhangeduponagibbetandHissidewaspiercedwithalanceandfromthewoundedbodyofourLordwaterandbloodissuedcontinually——
Yeteventhen，inthathourofsupremeagony，OurMercifulRedeemerhadpityformankind。Yeteventhere，onthehillofCalvary，Hefoundedtheholycatholicchurchagainstwhich，itispromised，thegatesofhellshallnotprevail。Hefoundeditupontherockofages，andendoweditwithHisgrace，withsacramentsandsacrifice，andpromisedthatifmenwouldobeythewordofHischurchtheywouldstillenterintoeternallife；
butif，afterallthathadbeendoneforthem，theystillpersistedintheirwickedness，thereremainedforthemaneternityoftorment:hell。
Thepreacher\'svoicesank。Hepaused，joinedhispalmsforaninstant，partedthem。Thenheresumed:——
Nowletustryforamomenttorealize，asfaraswecan，thenatureofthatabodeofthedamnedwhichthejusticeofanoffendedGodhascalledintoexistencefortheeternalpunishmentofsinners。Hellisastraitanddarkandfoul-smellingprison，anabodeofdemonsandlostsouls，filledwithfireandsmoke。ThestraitnessofthisprisonhouseisexpresslydesignedbyGodtopunishthosewhorefusedtobeboundbyHislaws。Inearthlyprisonsthepoorcaptivehasatleastsomelibertyofmovement，wereitonlywithinthefourwallsofhiscellorinthegloomyyardofhisprison。
Notsoinhell。There，byreasonofthegreatnumberofthedamned，theprisonersareheapedtogetherintheirawfulprison，thewallsofwhicharesaidtobefourthousandmilesthick:andthedamnedaresoutterlyboundandhelplessthat，asablessedsaint，saintAnselm，writesinhisbookonsimilitudes，theyarenotevenabletoremovefromtheeyeawormthatgnawsit——
Theylieinexteriordarkness。For，remember，thefireofhellgivesforthnolight。As，atthecommandofGod，thefireoftheBabylonianfurnacelostitsheatbutnotitslight，so，atthecommandofGod，thefireofhell，whileretainingtheintensityofitsheat，burnseternallyindarkness。
Itisaneverendingstormofdarkness，darkflamesanddarksmokeofburningbrimstone，amidwhichthebodiesareheapedoneuponanotherwithoutevenaglimpseofair。OfalltheplagueswithwhichthelandofthePharaohsweresmittenoneplaguealone，thatofdarkness，wascalledhorrible。Whatname，then，shallwegivetothedarknessofhellwhichistolastnotforthreedaysalonebutforalleternity？——
Thehorrorofthisstraitanddarkprisonisincreasedbyitsawfulstench。Allthefilthoftheworld，alltheoffalandscumoftheworld，wearetold，shallrunthereastoavastreekingsewerwhentheterribleconflagrationofthelastdayhaspurgedtheworld。Thebrimstone，too，whichburnsthereinsuchprodigiousquantityfillsallhellwithitsintolerablestench；andthebodiesofthedamnedthemselvesexhalesuchapestilentialodourthat，assaintBonaventuresays，oneofthemalonewouldsufficetoinfectthewholeworld。Theveryairofthisworld，thatpureelement，becomesfoulandunbreathablewhenithasbeenlongenclosed。Considerthenwhatmustbethefoulnessoftheairofhell。Imaginesomefoulandputridcorpsethathaslainrottinganddecomposinginthegrave，ajelly-likemassofliquidcorruption。Imaginesuchacorpseapreytoflames，devouredbythefireofburningbrimstoneandgivingoffdensechokingfumesofnauseousloathsomedecomposition。Andthenimaginethissickeningstench，multipliedamillionfoldandamillionfoldagainfromthemillionsuponmillionsoffetidcarcassesmassedtogetherinthereekingdarkness，ahugeandrottinghumanfungus。Imagineallthis，andyouwillhavesomeideaofthehorrorofthestenchofhell——
Butthisstenchisnot，horriblethoughitis，thegreatestphysicaltormenttowhichthedamnedaresubjected。Thetormentoffireisthegreatesttormenttowhichthetyranthaseversubjectedhisfellowcreatures。Placeyourfingerforamomentintheflameofacandleandyouwillfeelthepainoffire。ButourearthlyfirewascreatedbyGodforthebenefitofman，tomaintaininhimthesparkoflifeandtohelphimintheusefularts，whereasthefireofhellisofanotherqualityandwascreatedbyGodtotortureandpunishtheunrepentantsinner。Ourearthlyfirealsoconsumesmoreorlessrapidlyaccordingastheobjectwhichitattacksismoreorlesscombustible，sothathumaningenuityhasevensucceededininventingchemicalpreparationstocheckorfrustrateitsaction。Butthesulphurousbrimstonewhichburnsinhellisasubstancewhichisspeciallydesignedtoburnforeverandforeverwithunspeakablefury。Moreover，ourearthlyfiredestroysatthesametimeasitburns，sothatthemoreintenseitistheshorterisitsduration；butthefireofhellhasthisproperty，thatitpreservesthatwhichitburns，and，thoughitrageswithincredibleintensity，itragesforever——
Ourearthlyfireagain，nomatterhowfierceorwidespreaditmaybe，isalwaysofalimitedextent；butthelakeoffireinhellisboundless，shorelessandbottomless。Itisonrecordthatthedevilhimself，whenaskedthequestionbyacertainsoldier，wasobligedtoconfessthatifawholemountainwerethrownintotheburningoceanofhellitwouldbeburnedupInaninstantlikeapieceofwax。Andthisterriblefirewillnotafflictthebodiesofthedamnedonlyfromwithout，buteachlostsoulwillbeahelluntoitself，theboundlessfireraginginitsveryvitals。
O，howterribleisthelotofthosewretchedbeings!Thebloodseethesandboilsintheveins，thebrainsareboilingintheskull，theheartinthebreastglowingandbursting，thebowelsared-hotmassofburningpulp，thetendereyesflaminglikemoltenballs——
AndyetwhatIhavesaidastothestrengthandqualityandboundlessnessofthisfireisasnothingwhencomparedtoitsintensity，anintensitywhichithasasbeingtheinstrumentchosenbydivinedesignforthepunishmentofsoulandbodyalike。ItisafirewhichproceedsdirectlyfromtheireofGod，workingnotofitsownactivitybutasaninstrumentofDivinevengeance。Asthewatersofbaptismcleansethesoulwiththebody，sodothefiresofpunishmenttorturethespiritwiththeflesh。Everysenseofthefleshistorturedandeveryfacultyofthesoultherewith:theeyeswithimpenetrableutterdarkness，thenosewithnoisomeodours，theearswithyellsandhowlsandexecrations，thetastewithfoulmatter，leprouscorruption，namelesssuffocatingfilth，thetouchwithredhotgoadsandspikes，withcrueltonguesofflame。AndthroughtheseveraltormentsofthesensestheimmortalsoulistorturedeternallyinitsveryessenceamidtheleaguesuponleaguesofglowingfireskindledintheabyssbytheoffendedmajestyoftheOmnipotentGodandfannedintoeverlastingandever-increasingfurybythebreathoftheangeroftheGod-head——
Considerfinallythatthetormentofthisinfernalprisonisincreasedbythecompanyofthedamnedthemselves。Evilcompanyonearthissonoxiousthattheplants，asifbyinstinct，withdrawfromthecompanyofwhatsoeverisdeadlyorhurtfultothem。Inhellalllawsareoverturned-thereisnothoughtoffamilyorcountry，ofties，ofrelationships。Thedamnedhowlandscreamatoneanother，theirtortureandrageintensifiedbythepresenceofbeingstorturedandraginglikethemselves。Allsenseofhumanityisforgotten。Theyellsofthesufferingsinnersfilltheremotestcornersofthevastabyss。ThemouthsofthedamnedarefullofblasphemiesagainstGodandofhatredfortheirfellowsufferersandofcursesagainstthosesoulswhichweretheiraccomplicesinsin。Inoldentimesitwasthecustomtopunishtheparricide，themanwhohadraisedhismurderoushandagainsthisfather，bycastinghimintothedepthsoftheseainasackinwhichwereplacedacock，amonkey，andaserpent。Theintentionofthoselaw-giverswhoframedsuchalaw，whichseemscruelinourtimes，wastopunishthecriminalbythecompanyofhurtfulandhatefulbeasts。Butwhatisthefuryofthosedumbbeastscomparedwiththefuryofexecrationwhichburstsfromtheparchedlipsandachingthroatsofthedamnedinhellwhentheybeholdintheircompanionsinmiserythosewhoaidedandabettedtheminsin，thosewhosewordssowedthefirstseedsofevilthinkingandevillivingintheirminds，thosewhoseimmodestsuggestionsledthemontosin，thosewhoseeyestemptedandalluredthemfromthepathofvirtue。
Theyturnuponthoseaccomplicesandupbraidthemandcursethem。Buttheyarehelplessandhopeless:itistoolatenowforrepentance——
Lastofallconsiderthefrightfultormenttothosedamnedsouls，temptersandtemptedalike，ofthecompanyofthedevils。Thesedevilswillafflictthedamnedintwoways，bytheirpresenceandbytheirreproaches。
Wecanhavenoideaofhowhorriblethesedevilsare。SaintCatherineofSienaoncesawadevilandshehaswrittenthat，ratherthanlookagainforonesingleinstantonsuchafrightfulmonster，shewouldprefertowalkuntiltheendofherlifealongatrackofredcoals。Thesedevils，whowereoncebeautifulangels，havebecomeashideousanduglyastheyoncewerebeautiful。Theymockandjeeratthelostsoulswhomtheydraggeddowntoruin。Itisthey，thefouldemons，whoaremadeinhellthevoicesofconscience。Whydidyousin？Whydidyoulendaneartothetemptingsoffriends？Whydidyouturnasidefromyourpiouspracticesandgoodworks？
Whydidyounotshuntheoccasionsofsin？Whydidyounotleavethatevilcompanion？Whydidyounotgiveupthatlewdhabit，thatimpurehabit？
Whydidyounotlistentothecounselsofyourconfessor？Whydidyounot，evenafteryouhadfallenthefirstorthesecondorthethirdorthefourthorthehundredthtime，repentofyourevilwaysandturntoGodwhoonlywaitedforyourrepentancetoabsolveyouofyoursins？Nowthetimeforrepentancehasgoneby。Timeis，timewas，buttimeshallbenomore!Timewastosininsecrecy，toindulgeinthatslothandpride，tocovettheunlawful，toyieldtothepromptingsofyourlowernature，tolivelikethebeastsofthefield，nayworsethanthebeastsofthefield，forthey，atleast，arebutbrutesandhavenoreasontoguidethem:timewas，buttimeshallbenomore。Godspoketoyoubysomanyvoices，butyouwouldnothear。Youwouldnotcrushoutthatprideandangerinyourheart，youwouldnotrestorethoseill-gottengoods，youwouldnotobeythepreceptsofyourholychurchnorattendtoyourreligiousduties，youwouldnotabandonthosewickedcompanions，youwouldnotavoidthosedangeroustemptations。
Suchisthelanguageofthosefiendishtormentors，wordsoftauntingandofreproach，ofhatredandofdisgust。Ofdisgust，yes!Foreventhey，theverydevils，whentheysinned，sinnedbysuchasinasalonewascompatiblewithsuchangelicalnatures，arebellionoftheintellect:andthey，eventhey，thefouldevilsmustturnaway，revoltedanddisgusted，fromthecontemplationofthoseunspeakablesinsbywhichdegradedmanoutragesanddefilesthetempleoftheHolyGhost，defilesandpolluteshimself——
O，mydearlittlebrothersinChrist，mayitneverbeourlottohearthatlanguage!Mayitneverbeourlot，Isay!InthelastdayofterriblereckoningIprayferventlytoGodthatnotasinglesoulofthosewhoareinthischapeltodaymaybefoundamongthosemiserablebeingswhomtheGreatJudgeshallcommandtodepartforeverfromHissight，thatnotoneofusmayeverhearringinginhisearstheawfulsentenceofrejection:Departfromme，yecursed，intoeverlastingfirewhichwaspreparedforthedevilandhisangels!
Hecamedowntheaisleofthechapel，hislegsshakingandthescalpofhisheadtremblingasthoughithadbeentouchedbyghostlyfingers。
Hepassedupthestaircaseandintothecorridoralongthewallsofwhichtheovercoatsandwaterproofshunglikegibbetedmalefactors，headlessanddrippingandshapeless。Andateverystephefearedthathehadalreadydied，thathissoulhadbeenwrenchedforthofthesheathofhisbody，thathewasplungingheadlongthroughspace。
Hecouldnotgripthefloorwithhisfeetandsatheavilyathisdesk，openingoneofhisbooksatrandomandporingoverit。Everywordforhim。
Itwastrue。Godwasalmighty。Godcouldcallhimnow，callhimashesatathisdesk，beforehehadtimetobeconsciousofthesummons。Godhadcalledhim。Yes？What？Yes？Hisfleshshranktogetherasitfelttheapproachoftheravenoustonguesofflames，driedupasitfeltaboutittheswirlofstiflingair。Hehaddied。Yes。Hewasjudged。Awaveoffiresweptthroughhisbody:thefirst。Againawave。Hisbrainbegantoglow。Another。
Hisbrainwassimmeringandbubblingwithinthecrackingtenementoftheskull。Flamesburstforthfromhisskulllikeacorolla，shriekinglikevoices:——
Hell!Hell!Hell!Hell!Hell!
Voicesspokenearhim:——
Onhell——
Isupposeherubbeditintoyouwell——
Youbethedid。Heputusallintoabluefunk——
That\'Swhatyoufellowswant:andplentyofittomakeyouwork。
Heleanedbackweaklyinhisdesk。Hehadnotdied。Godhadsparedhimstill。Hewasstillinthefamiliarworldoftheschool。MrTateandVincentHeronstoodatthewindow，talking，jesting，gazingoutatthebleakrain，movingtheirheads——
Iwishitwouldclearup。IhadarrangedtogoforaspinonthebikewithsomefellowsoutbyMalahide。Buttheroadsmustbeknee-deep——
Itmightclearup，sir。
Thevoicesthatheknewsowell，thecommonwords，thequietoftheclassroomwhenthevoicespausedandthesilencewasfilledbythesoundofsoftlybrowsingcattleastheotherboysmunchedtheirlunchestranquilly，lulledhisachingsoul。
Therewasstilltime。OMary，refugeofsinners，intercedeforhim!
OVirginUndefiled，savehimfromthegulfofdeath!
TheEnglishlessonbeganwiththehearingofthehistory。Royalpersons，favourites，intriguers，bishops，passedlikemutephantomsbehindtheirveilofnames。Allhaddied:allhadbeenjudged。Whatdiditprofitamantogainthewholeworldifhelosthissoul？Atlasthehadunderstood:
andhumanlifelayaroundhim，aplainofpeacewhereonant-likemenlabouredinbrotherhood，theirdeadsleepingunderquietmounds。Theelbowofhiscompaniontouchedhimandhisheartwastouched:andwhenhespoketoansweraquestionofhismasterheheardhisownvoicefullofthequietudeofhumilityandcontrition。
Hissoulsankbackdeeperintodepthsofcontritepeace，nolongerabletosufferthepainofdread，andsendingforth，ashesank，afaintprayer。
Ahyes，hewouldstillbespared；hewouldrepentinhisheartandbeforgiven；
andthenthoseabove，thoseinheaven，wouldseewhathewoulddotomakeupforthepast:awholelife，everyhouroflife。Onlywait——
All，God!All，all!
Amessengercametothedoortosaythatconfessionswerebeingheardinthechapel。Fourboyslefttheroom；andheheardotherspassingdownthecorridor。Atremulouschillblewroundhisheart，nostrongerthanalittlewind，andyet，listeningandsufferingsilently，heseemedtohavelaidanearagainstthemuscleofhisownheart，feelingitcloseandquail，listeningtotheflutterofitsventricles。
Noescape。Hehadtoconfess，tospeakoutinwordswhathehaddoneandthought，sinaftersin。How？How？——
Father，I。
Thethoughtslidlikeacoldshiningrapierintohistenderflesh:confession。
Butnotthereinthechapelofthecollege。Hewouldconfessall，everysinofdeedandthought，sincerely；butnotthereamonghisschoolcompanions。
Farawayfromthereinsomedarkplacehewouldmurmurouthisownshame；
andhebesoughtGodhumblynottobeoffendedwithhimifhedidnotdaretoconfessinthecollegechapelandinutterabjectionofspirithecravedforgivenessmutelyoftheboyishheartsabouthim。
Timepassed。
Hesatagaininthefrontbenchofthechapel。Thedaylightwithoutwasalreadyfailingand，asitfellslowlythroughthedullredblinds，itseemedthatthesunofthelastdaywasgoingdownandthatallsoulswerebeinggatheredforthejudgement——
IamcastawayfromthesightofThineeyes:wordstaken，mydearlittlebrothersinChrist，fromtheBookofPsalms，thirtiethchapter，twenty-thirdverse。InthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolyGhost。Amen。
Thepreacherbegantospeakinaquietfriendlytone。Hisfacewaskindandhejoinedgentlythefingersofeachhand，formingafrailcagebytheunionoftheirtips——
Thismorningweendeavoured，inourreflectionuponhell，tomakewhatourholyfoundercallsinhisbookofspiritualexercises，thecompositionofplace。Weendeavoured，thatis，toimaginewiththesensesofthemind，inourimagination，thematerialcharacterofthatawfulplaceandofthephysicaltormentswhichallwhoareinhellendure。Thiseveningweshallconsiderforafewmomentsthenatureofthespiritualtormentsofhell——
Sin，remember，isatwofoldenormity。Itisabaseconsenttothepromptingsofourcorruptnaturetothelowerinstincts，tothatwhichisgrossandbeast-like；anditisalsoaturningawayfromthecounselofourhighernature，fromallthatispureandholy，fromtheHolyGodHimself。Forthisreasonmortalsinispunishedinhellbytwodifferentformsofpunishment，physicalandspiritual。
Nowofallthesespiritualpainsbyfarthegreatestisthepainofloss，sogreat，infact，thatinitselfitisatormentgreaterthanalltheothers。SaintThomas，thegreatestdoctorofthechurch，theangelicdoctor，asheiscalled，saysthattheworstdamnationconsistsinthis，thattheunderstandingofmanistotallydeprivedofdivinelightandhisaffectionobstinatelyturnedawayfromthegoodnessofGod。God，remember，isabeinginfinitelygood，andthereforethelossofsuchabeingmustbealossinfinitelypainful。Inthislifewehavenotaveryclearideaofwhatsuchalossmustbe，butthedamnedinhell，fortheirgreatertorment，haveafullunderstandingofthatwhichtheyhavelost，andunderstandthattheyhavelostitthroughtheirownsinsandhavelostitforever。
AttheveryinstantofdeaththebondsoftheflesharebrokenasunderandthesoulatoncefliestowardsGodastowardsthecentreofherexistence。
Remember，mydearlittleboys，oursoulslongtobewithGod。WecomefromGod，welivebyGod，webelongtoGod:weareHis，inalienablyHis。Godloveswithadivineloveeveryhumansoul，andeveryhumansoullivesinthatlove。Howcoulditbeotherwise？Everybreaththatwedraw，everythoughtofourbrain，everyinstantoflifeproceedsfromGod\'sinexhaustiblegoodness。Andifitbepainforamothertobepartedfromherchild，foramantobeexiledfromhearthandhome，forfriendtobesunderedfromfriend，Othinkwhatpain，whatanguishitmustbeforthepoorsoultobespurnedfromthepresenceofthesupremelygoodandlovingCreatorWhohascalledthatsoulintoexistencefromnothingnessandsustaineditinlifeandloveditwithanimmeasurablelove。This，then，tobeseparatedforeverfromitsgreatestgood，fromGod，andtofeeltheanguishofthatseparation，knowingfullwellthatitisunchangeable:thisisthegreatesttormentwhichthecreatedsouliscapableofbearing，poenadamni，thepainofloss。