Part 13 (1/2)
'I laid aside my pen, fearing I should ask what are your relations with Mr. Poole. I have tried to keep myself from putting this question to you, but the torture of doubt overcomes me, and even if you should never write to me again, I must ask it. Remember that I am responsible to G.o.d for the life you lead. Had it not been for me, you would never have known Poole. You must grant to every man his point of view, and, as a Christian, I cannot put my responsibility out of mind. If you lose your soul, I am responsible for it. Should you write that your relations with Mr. Poole are not innocent, I shall not be relieved of my responsibility, but it will be a relief to me to know the truth. I shall pray for you, and you will repent your sins if you are living in sin.
Forgive me the question I am putting to you. I have no right to do so whatever. Whatever right I had over you when you were in my parish has pa.s.sed from me. I exceeded that right, but that is the old story. Maybe I am repeating my very fault again. It is not unlikely, for what do we do all through our lives but to repeat ourselves? You have forgiven me, and, having forgiven me once, maybe you will forgive me again. However this may be, do not delay writing, for every day will be an agony till I hear from you. At the end of an autumn day, when the dusk is sinking into the room, one lacks courage to live. Religion seems to desert one, and I am thinking of the leaves falling, falling in Derrinrush. All night long they will be falling, like my hopes. Forgive me this miserable letter. But if I didn't write it, I should not be able to get through the evening. Write to me. A letter from Italy will cheer me and help me to live. All my letters are not like this one. Not very long ago I wrote to you about a hermit who never wearied of life, though he lived upon an island in this lake. Did you receive that letter? I wonder. It is still following you about maybe. It was a pleasant letter, and I should be sorry if you did not get it. Write to me about Italy--about suns.h.i.+ne, about statues and pictures.
'Ever sincerely yours,
'OLIVER GOGARTY.'
_From Father Oliver Gogarty to Miss Nora Glynn._
'GARRANARD, BOHOLA,
'_October_ 20, 19--.
'DEAR MISS GLYNN,
'I wrote last week apologizing for troubling you again with a letter, pleading that the melancholy of autumn and the falling of the leaf forced me to write to someone. I wrote asking for a letter, saying that a letter about Italian suns.h.i.+ne would help me to live. I am afraid my letter must have seemed exaggerated. One writes out of a mood. The mood pa.s.ses, but when it is with one, one is the victim of it. And this letter is written to say I have recovered somewhat from my depression of spirits.... I have found consolation in a book, and I feel that I must send it to you, for even you may one day feel depressed and lonely. Did you ever read ”The Imitation of Christ”? There is no book more soothing to the spirit than it; and on the very first page I found some lines which apply marvellously well to your case:
'”If thou didst know the whole Bible outwardly, and the sayings of all the philosophers, what would it all profit thee without charity and the grace of G.o.d?”
'Over the page the saint says: ”Every man naturally desireth to know; but what doth knowledge avail without the fear of G.o.d?”
'”Truly, a lowly rustic that serveth G.o.d is better than a proud philosopher who pondereth the course of the stars and neglecteth himself.”
'”He that knoweth himself becometh vile to himself, and taketh no delight in the praises of men.”
'”If I knew all things that are in the world, and were not in charity, what would it profit me in the sight of G.o.d, who will judge according to deeds?”
'”Cease from overweening desire of knowledge, because many distractions are found there, and much delusion.”
'I might go on quoting till I reached the end, for on every page I note something that I would have you read. But why quote when I can send you the book? You have lost interest in the sentimental side of religion, but your loss is only momentary. You will never find anyone who will understand you better than this book. You are engaged now in the vain pursuit of knowledge, but some day, when you are weary of knowledge, you will turn to it. I do not ask you to read it now, but promise me that you will keep it. It will be a great consolation to me to know that it is by you.
'Very sincerely yours,
'OLIVER GOGARTY, P.P.'
_From Father Oliver Gogarty to Miss Nora Glynn._
'GARRANARD, BOHOLA,
'_November_ 3, 19--.
'DEAR MISS GLYNN,
'I sent you--I think it must be a fortnight ago--a copy of ”The Imitation of Christ.” The copy I sent is one of the original Elizabethan edition, a somewhat rare book and difficult to obtain. I sent you this copy in order to make sure that you would keep it; the English is better than the English of our modern translations. You must not think that I feel hurt because you did not write to thank me at once for having sent you the book. My reason for writing is merely because I should like to know if it reached you. If you have not received it, I think it would be better to make inquiries at once in the post. It would be a pity that a copy of the original Elizabethan edition should be lost. Just write a little short note saying that you have received it.
'Very sincerely yours,
'OLIVER GOGARTY, P.P.'