XXXVII.—INFLUENCE OF RELIGION ON THE TYROLESE.ALISON.Sir Archibald Alison, although not himself a Catholic, eloquently sets forth, in the following lesson, the refining and civilizing influences of the Catholic Church.
ALISON.
Sir Archibald Alison, although not himself a Catholic, eloquently sets forth, in the following lesson, the refining and civilizing influences of the Catholic Church.
1. What is it, then, which has wrought so surprising a change in the manners and habits of Europe, of the inhabitants of the great mountain-girdle of the earth? What is it which has spread cultivation through wastes deemed, in ancient times, inaccessible[321]to improvement, and humanized[322]the manners of a people, remarkable only, under the Roman sway, for the ferocity and barbarism of their customs?
2. What but the influence of religion; of that faith which has calmed the savage passions of the human mind, and spread its beneficial influence amongst the remotest[323]habitations of men, and which prompted its disciples to leave the luxuries and comforts of southern civilization to diffuse[324]knowledge and humanity through inhospitable realms, and spread, even amidst the regions of desolation, the light of knowledge, and the blessings of Christianity.
3. Impressed with these ideas, the traveler, in crossing the St. Bernard, and comparing the perfect safety with which he now can explore the most solitary parts of these mountains, with the perils[325]of the passage, attested by votive[326]offerings, even in the days of Adrian, and the Antonines, will think with thankfulness of the religion by which this wonderful change has been effected, and with veneration of the saint whose name has, for a thousand years, been affixed to the pass where his influence first reclaimed the people from their barbarous life; and in crossing the defile ofMount Brenner, where the Abbey of Wilten first offered an asylum to the pilgrim, he will feel, with a late amiable and eloquent writer, “how fortunate it is that religion has penetrated these fastnesses, impervious[327]to human power, and, where precautions are impossible and resistance useless, spread her invisible ægis[328]over the traveler, and conducts him, secure under her protection, through all the dangers of his way!”
4. When in such situations he reflects upon his security, and recollects that these mountains, so savage, and so well adapted to the progress of murderers and banditti[329], have not in the memory of man been stained with human blood, he ought to do justice to the cause, and gratefully to acknowledge the influence of religion.
5. Impressed with these ideas, he will behold with interest the crosses which frequently mark the brow of a precipice, and the little chapels hollowed out of the rock, where the road is narrowed; he will consider them as so many pledges of security, and rest assured, that so long as the pious mountaineer continues to adore the “Good Shepherd,” and to implore the power of the “Afflicted Mother,” he will never cease to befriend the traveler, nor to discharge the duties of hospitality.
[321]In-ac-cessˊ-i-ble, beyond reach of.[322]Huˊ-man-ize, to render human.[323]Re-motˊ-est, most distant.[324]Dif-fuseˊ, to spread, to extend in all directions.[325]Perˊ-ils, dangers.[326]Voˊ-tive, given by vow, devoted.[327]Im-perˊ-vi-ous, not to be penetrated or passed through.[328]Ægis, shield, protection.[329]Ban-ditˊ-ti, outlaws, highwaymen, robbers.
[321]In-ac-cessˊ-i-ble, beyond reach of.
[321]In-ac-cessˊ-i-ble, beyond reach of.
[322]Huˊ-man-ize, to render human.
[322]Huˊ-man-ize, to render human.
[323]Re-motˊ-est, most distant.
[323]Re-motˊ-est, most distant.
[324]Dif-fuseˊ, to spread, to extend in all directions.
[324]Dif-fuseˊ, to spread, to extend in all directions.
[325]Perˊ-ils, dangers.
[325]Perˊ-ils, dangers.
[326]Voˊ-tive, given by vow, devoted.
[326]Voˊ-tive, given by vow, devoted.
[327]Im-perˊ-vi-ous, not to be penetrated or passed through.
[327]Im-perˊ-vi-ous, not to be penetrated or passed through.
[328]Ægis, shield, protection.
[328]Ægis, shield, protection.
[329]Ban-ditˊ-ti, outlaws, highwaymen, robbers.
[329]Ban-ditˊ-ti, outlaws, highwaymen, robbers.