ever be divided that love and live in the same divine
principle, the root and record of their friendship.

If absence be not death, neither is theirs.

Death is but crossing the world, as friends do the seas; they live in
one another still.

For they must needs be present that love and live in that which is
omnipresent. In this divine glass they see face to face; and their
converse is free, as well as pure.

This is the comfort of friends, that though they may be said to die yet
their friendship and society are in the best sense ever present, because
immortal.

_OF CHARITY_

Charity has various senses, but is excellent in all of them.

It imports, first, the commiseration of the poor and unhappy of mankind,
and extends an helping hand to mend their condition.

Next, charity makes the best construction of things and persons; it
makes the best of everything, forgives everybody, serves all, and hopes
to the end.

It is an universal remedy against discord, an holy cement for mankind.

And, lastly, 'tis love to God and the brethren which raises the soul
above all earthly considerations; and as it gives a taste of heaven upon
earth, so 'tis heaven in the fulness of it hereafter to the truly
charitable here.

This is the noblest sense charity has, after which all should press as
being the more excellent way.

Would God this divine virtue were more implanted and diffused among
mankind, the pretenders to Christianity especially; and then we should
certainly mind piety more than controversy, and exercise love and
compassion instead of censuring and persecuting one another in any
manner whatsoever.

* * * * *

ERNEST RENAN

LIFE OF JESUS

Ernest Renan, the most widely read writer of religious history
in his day, was forty years old when the "Vie de Jesus," his
most popular book, appeared as the first volume of a "History
of the Origins of Christianity." He was born at Treguier in
Brittany, France, Feb. 27, 1823, a Breton through his father
and a Gascon through his mother. Educated for the Church,
under priestly tutelage, he specialised in the study of
Oriental languages, with the result that he found it
impossible to accept the traditional view of Christian and
Jewish history. After holding an appointment in the Department
of Manuscripts in the Bibliotheque Nationale, he became
Professor of Hebrew in the