[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—I think the answer
to the problem propounded by Canon MacColl is a very simple and obvious one,—viz., that - it is just because the greatest saints have the best know- ledge of God, and the best knowledge of themselves, that they are apt to feel most painfully "at the hour of death" how very far short of complete success have been their unceasing efforts in the way of "divine imita- tion," and of their anxious " consuming " longing f"alter divine righteousness." Or to put the answer shortly and concisely in the beautiful words of the hymn, because "they who fain would serve Thee best are conscious most of wrong within." And so it isnot at all to be "wondered at" if, invery many instances, the coaverse of this may prove to be true,-- viz., that they who have persistently rejected all faith in God, and all hope and expectation of a future life, may depart from this earthly life without terror or regret, after that they have seen the end (and cruel, crushing disappointment) of its vain, illusive " perfections " or "desired consumma- tions" (Vulgate). Surely, Sir, we shall, all of us, do well to remember the most awful and mysterious of our Lord's own "words from the Cross," and to reflect that "it is enough for the Servant"—the saint—that he be as his Master, "the King of Saints."—I am, Sir, &c., JOHN OTTER.
Previous page
