Ossian Collection > Aspects of poetry

XV.] CARDINAL NEWMAN. 459
I might go on for a day quoting from the Parochial
Sermons alone passages in which the poet as well as
the preacher speaks. I shall however give but one
more. It is where he speaks of what is to be the
Christian life's ultimate issue.
'All God's providences, all God's dealings with us, all His
judgments, mercies, warnings, deliverances, tend to peace and
repose as their ultimate issue. All our troubles and pleasures
here, all our anxieties, fears, doubts, difficulties, hopes, encourage-
ments, afflictions, losses, attainments, tend this one way. After
Christmas, Easter, and Whitsuntide, comes Trinity Sunday and
the weeks that follow ; and in like manner, after our soul's anxious
travail ; after the birth of the Spirit ; after trial and temptation ;
after sorrow and pain ; after daily dyings to the world ; after daily
risings unto holiness ; at length comes that "rest which remaineth
unto the people of God." After the fever of life ; after wearinesses
and sicknesses ; fightings and despondings ; languor and fretful-
ness ; struggling and failing, struggling and succeeding ; after all
the changes and chances of this troubled and unhealthy state, at
length comes death, at length the White Throne of God, at length
the Beatific Vision. After restlessness comes rest, peace, joy ;
our eternal portion, if we be worthy.'
I know not how this and other passages I have quoted
may strike those to whom they have not been long
familiar. To me it seems, they have a sweetness, an
inner melody, which few other words have. They fall
upon the heart like dew, and soothe it, as only the most
exquisite music can. It may be that to the few who
can still recall the tones of the voice which first uttered
them, remembrance lends them a charm, which those
cannot feel who only read them. These sermons were