Not in vain did the lamp burn, the peasant pilgrimage, the ascetic labour in chains, the monk kneel. In the soul of Europe, in the shadowy temple, the monk kneels and the women kneel. If ever they are forced to rise and depart Europe will be lost. I realised that our day was so bright because that night was so dark the brightness was so full of gladness because the darkness was so full of holiness. But the progress of socialism or of civilisation does not wish darkness anywhere.
Progress defines itse l f as the lighting of lamps till there be no darkness anywhere enlightenment.
But if they do completely lighten the West there will still remain, I believe, that shadowy background, Russia, where the benighted moujik kneels in secret the saving grace of Europe. Again, Russia is the dark virgin earth, the secret mysterious soil. Whatever is beautiful in Russian art or literature and in the lives of the intelligentia, owes its strength to the peasantry and the Church. God sees in secret and rewards openly. Whatever strik e s root downwards bears blossom upward.