THE MONK OF CIMIES. BY MRS. SHERWOOD, AUTHOR OF "THE NUN." LONDON: HOLBORN HILL. 1836 232. THE MONK OF CIMIES. AN INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. WHAT is that church to which all the promises of Scripture appertain-of which Christ is the head, and with which he has promised to be until the end of the world? This is a question of such vital importance, and one, now so fiercely, in many instances, and so sincerely, earnestly, and humbly, in others, agitated in the professing world, that it can scarcely fail to affect the feelings even of the most dull, and to inspire activity and energy into those, whose age and infirmities, it might be thought, had entitled them to withdraw from the troubles and turmoils of this present state of existence. Years have rolled away since I, who am now preparing to appear before the public, have entered into any concern beyond the limits of a small parish in one of the most quiet and secluded regions of the Emerald Isle. Nor did I ever think that I should be induced by any motive whatever, to exhibit to the world at large the eventful pages of the history of my youth. When, however, it appeared to me that this history, hitherto so little known, beyond the limits of my own family, was B replete with lessons of incalculable importance to the present generation, I could no longer think of withholding it on the contrary, I have been rendered anxious to press it upon the attention of the many, who are groping in midnight darkness, and perplexing their own minds, and those of their friends, because they either will not or cannot, look into the experience of past days—or perhaps are deficient in that rare faculty of the imagination, which enables an individual, after having furnished his mind through study with the various necessary circumstances, to transport himself into remote ages and distant lands; and in some degree to conceive how men would feel, and think, and act, under circumstances totally different from those in which he has himself existed. By the proper exercise of this faculty, a person is restrained from forming crude judgments from condemning his forefathers,—or from hastily destroying ancient establishments and regulations, because he cannot see their present use; and he is led to consider it possible that if the old barriers were removed, things might run back in a degree to what they were before these were established. There is little question but that men of the present generation are in some respects better instructed than those who were active and efficient in my younger days; that is, that there is a larger quantum of knowledge apportioned to the various ranks of society in general, in all branches of science, especially, in natural philosophy, and mechanics: and yet, I much doubt whether that species of cultivation which was thought requisite to form an accomplished gentleman in my early life, is not now thrown so far back from the apprehension of the world in general, as to be in some degree irrecover |