PERE MONSABRE ON FREE WILL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 172, 14 July 1876, Page 8

PERE MONSABRE ON FREE WILL.

(From the ' Catholic Standard.') " It is useless, impossible, to attempt an explanation of history and of monuments unless you admit free will In enthusiastic pages I find the praises of men sung, who have long since disappeared ; I see inscriptions, tablets, medals, statues, triumphal arches, temp es that recall past celebrities But what do you mean by a celebrity ? It is a geniuß |whose inspirations have given a vigorous impulse to letters, arts, sciences, political and social institutions. It is a valiant man, always the first in combat ; a hero, who sheds his blood and sacrifices his life for his country ; a generous heart, whose imperishable benefactions have fallen like a saving dew over some great human misery ; it is » ;saint, whose sublime virtues have embalmed an entire age, and save it from corruption. If all these were free, it is just to honor, to immortalize their memory. This genius, instead of exhausting himself in a prolonged labor, might have slept in idleness and been content With an easy talent ; such was not his desire. The hero, instead of hastening to meet death, might have awaited its coming; this he could not endure. The benefactor might have enjoyed his treasures, instead of bestowing them upon others, ; he might have lived in insolent ppmposity, instead of showing himself generous to the unfortunate ; he wished not such a course. The saint might have imitated the balance of mankind and have taken part in their. voluptuous life, or at least he might have been satified with ordinary goodness ; he would not. To wish that which we might not desire ; not to will that which have, the power to consent to, herein lies all the glory, for it is in this that liberty consists. Is there no liberty, or free will ? In that case make a hecatomb of all souvenirs. Obliterate, tear all asunder, break, overthrow and destroy all ; historic pages, inscriptions, tablets, medals, (statues, triumphal arches, temples, and in the midst of the ruins thus created, erect yourselves dwelling places wherein you may ep.<nd the day in forgetfulness of the past, submitting to a fatal law, awaiting till its iron hand strangle you, and cast you into the chasm of the unknown, in company with the false celebrities who have been glorified by mankind. Yes, the souvenirs which we call glorious are ridiculous, immensely so, if they are not the result of that self-possession given by free will. Is the sun glorious because its pregnant rays permeate all space ? Is the earth glorious because it is covered with abundant harvests ? Is the lion glorious because his strength and bis courage cause the beasts of the forest to tremble ? What are geniuses, heroes, benefactors of humanity, saints — what are all these to me, if they could not do otherwise than

be what they were ? The smile of destiny on their life does not merit a souvenir in my obscurity and in my misery. Glory is ridiculous, "mankind odious in the execution of justice, the moment we suppress free will."