"I now began seriously to prepare for my departure. The chamber I
occupied, had once been the library of a Franciscan convent. Only a
thick wall separated it from the church. In this wall was a niche, with
heavy folding-doors, which had served the Franciscans as a repository
for prohibited books. Here also I kept my papers, and my great work on
Biblical Hermeneutics. The inside of the doors was covered with
horrible caricatures of Luther, Melancthon, Calvin, and other great
men. I used often to look at them with the deepest melancholy, when I
thought that these great men likewise had labored upon earth, and
fought with Satan in the church. But they were persecuted, denounced,
condemned to die. So perhaps will it be with me. I thought of this
often; and armed myself against the fear of death. I was in constant
apprehension, lest the police should search my chamber during my
absence, and, by examining my papers, discover my doctrine and designs.
But the Spirit said to me; 'Be of good cheer; I will so blind the eyes
of thy enemies, that it shall not once occur to them to think of thy
writings.'
"At length, after many difficulties and temptations of the Devil, I am
on my way to America. Yesterday I took leave of my dearest friend,
Gregory Kuscher, in Hallstadt. He seemed filled with the Spirit of God,
and has wonderfully strengthened me in my purpose. All the hosts of
heaven looked on, and were glad. The old man kissed me at parting; and
I ascended the mountain as if angels bore me up in their arms. Near the
summit, lay a newly fallen avalanche, over which, as yet, no footsteps
had passed. This was my last temptation. 'Ha!' cried I aloud, 'Satan
has prepared a snare for me; but I will conquer him with godly
weapons.' I sprang over the treacherous snow, with greater faith than
St. Peter walked the waters of the Lake of Galilee; and came down the
valley, while the mountain peaks yetshone in the setting sun. God
smiles upon me. I go forth, full of hopeful courage. On Christmas next,
I shall excommunicate the Pope."
Saying these words, he slowly and solemnly took his leave, like one
conscious of the great events which await him, and withdrew with the
other priest into the church. Flemming could not smile as Berkley did;
for in the solitary, singular enthusiast, who had just left them, he
saw only another melancholy victim to solitude and over-labor of the
brain; and felt how painful a thing it is, thus to become unconsciously
the alms-man of other men's sympathies, a kind of blind beggar for the
charity of a good wish or a prayer.
The sun was now setting. Silently they floated back to Saint Gilgen,
amid the cool evening shadows. The village clock struck nine as they
landed; and as Berkley was to depart early in the morning, he went to
bed betimes. On bidding Flemming good night he said;
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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