Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. XXIII.—April, 1852.—Vol. IV.: None — John Shaqi
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. XXIII.—April, 1852.—Vol. IV.: NoneVarious
General
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. XXIII.—April, 1852.—Vol. IV.: None
Various
American literature -- Periodicals; Civilization -- Periodicals; Culture -- Periodicals
Probably the following remarks of Napoleon, made at St. Helena, will
give a very correct idea of his prevailing feelings upon the subject of
religion. "The sentiment of religion is so consolatory, that it must be
considered a gift from Heaven. What a resource would it not be for us
here, to possess it. What rewards have I not a right to expect, who have
run a career so extraordinary, so tempestuous, as mine has been, without
committing a single crime. And yet how many might I not have been guilty
of? I can appear before the tribunal of God, I can await his judgment,
without fear. He will not find my conscience stained with the thoughts
of murder and poisonings; with the infliction of violent and
premeditated deaths, events so common in the history of those whose
lives resemble mine. I have wished only for the power, the greatness,
the glory of France. All my faculties, all my efforts, all my movements,
were directed to the attainment of that object. These can not be crimes.
To me they appeared acts of virtue. What then would be my happiness, if
the bright prospect of futurity presented itself to crown the last
moments of my existence."
After a moment's pause, in which he seemed lost in thought, he resumed:
"But, how is it possible that conviction can find its way to our hearts,
when we hear the absurd language, and witness the iniquitous conduct of
the greater part of those whose business it is to preach to us. I am
surrounded by priests, who repeat incessantly that their reign is not of
this world; and yet they lay their hands upon every thing which they can
get. The Pope is the head of that religion which is from Heaven. What
did the present chief pontiff, who is undoubtedly a good and a holy man,
not offer, to be allowed to return to Rome. The surrender of the
government of the church, of the institution of bishops was not too much
for him to give, to become once more a secular prince.
"Nevertheless," he continued, after another thoughtful pause, "it can
not be doubted that, as emperor, the species of incredulity which I felt
was beneficial to the nations I had to govern. How could I have favored
equally sects so opposed to one another, if I had joined any one of
them? How could I have preserved the independence of my thoughts and of
my actions under the control of a confessor, who would have governed me
under the dread of hell!" Napoleon closed this conversation, by ordering
the New Testament to be brought. Commencing at the beginning, he read
aloud as far as the conclusion of our Saviour's address to his disciples
upon the mountain. He expressed himself struck with the highest
admiration, in contemplating its purity, its sublimity, and the
beautiful perfection of its moral code.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account