Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-05-05

lie had advanced u new doctrine, the doctrine
that a priest should not enter into the marriage
relation. This was a burning brand thrust into
the Church, and high and warm between those
who thought marriage not inconsistent with
g%odliness, and those who thought u life of ~celibacy
alone rendered man fit to intercede for man with
his Maker.
Father Beaucair thought Of the corruption that
would overwhclm the priesthood if this new dogma
should prevail; and Edward thought of Edith,
and his brow darkened, and his teeth set as if in
open rebellion and defiance.
Edith observed the shade OF sorrow on her
fathers countenance, and the still darker one on
that of Ler lover, and inquired the cause. For
the first time, her father thought of her prospects
and her danger; but Edward closred her in his
arms, and vowed by everything sacred that nought
but death should separate them. Silently she
heard what troubled and threatened them, then
quietly withdrew and sought the solitude Of
the glen, where sometime after, Edward found
her kneeling by the graves, her head resting on the
bench, the locket pressed to her lips, and with the
tears still on her eyelids, smiling in her sleep.
Softly he raised her but when he would have
renounced his ordination for her sake, she placed
her hand upon his lips, aud forbade the utterancc
of such i'm 1iety.
AT length the question was settled apparently
and the new creed pronounced by the Pope unne-
cessary. Peace again folded her wings over the
little household Of Father Beaucair, and as his
steps f%altered, and his eye grew dim, he Joined the
hands of his two children beside the low altar,
their happiness sadlened by the thought that he
whom they so reverenced would shortly he with
them no more. Soon a new grave appeared in the
glen, under the spreading branches of the elm
tree and many a poor man lay down to sleep
suppcrlcss, from having spent his little earnings
for candles, to light the spirit of the good old
Father across the dark valley, and in masses for
the rest of his soul.
Time passed on, his wings seemingly shedding
only sunshine on the dwelling of the now Father
Edward, whose life fulfilled the promise of his
youth, and little Alice gladdened the hearts of her
parents, making radiant the atmosphere of their
happy home. Daily did the young priest kneel
and thank his God for all his blessings, foremost of
which were his wife and child.
But the spoiler was at work. The anchorite in
his cell, old Bishop Dunstan was maturing his
plans. The priesthood was fast becoming hardened
and corrupt, and at length, again and more iercely
broke out the agitation of priestly celibacy. After
a long period, during which many scenes shameful
alike to humanity aud true religion were enacted,
marriage in the priesthood was decided against,
and such marriage declared annulled and by the
Pope it was pronounced Il part of the creed of the
Mother Church. Violence was frequently used to
carry the new edict into effect for not Immediately
could the consciences of some perceive the great
sin which the Church had created for them.
But to none was it a greater blow than to the
young priest, Edward. Very holly he had tried
to live, following out the precepts of Father Beau
cair, and walking in the light which God had given
him. Then there was his gentle Edith, the life Of
his life, interfering with no duty, but by her care
and watchfulness, lessening and making easier
every trouble and hardship soothing with her
that he met with in his labors and the little Alice,
innocent voice the WEAKNESS which sometimes
overlook him.
But not long was he allowed to think of these
things for the Church had decreed that all priests
who had wives should put them away, or the
priestly robes pass from them. Edith would have
taken her child and departed, but he would not
permit it. Then he thought to secrete her, but
the Church required him to swear that he had put
her away.
One day he walked out to wrestle with his great
agony. Gladly would he have resigned his order,
but that it would be sure damnation to his soul,
and even this he might have braved, but he could
not be the cause of a like fate to Edith. Slowly
and sorrowfully he returned to the cottage-and
10! the contest is decided for him-his wife and
child are gone-his cup of woe is full.
Vain was his search, vain his inquiries. His
wild wanderings and fevcrish excitement brought
him to the verge of the grave, and the few who
watched over him feared, and sometimes almost
hoped that they would have to lay him by his
parents beneath the elm tree.
Once more Father Edward returned to life and
health. In appearance he was an old man, and
dismissing with his blessing those who had sc
faithfully attended him, he built him a hut in the
thiekest part of the glen, and lived q hermit.
When at length the story Of the love of Edward
and Edith had almost passed into a legend, bu
was faithfully preserved by the peasantry, an,
sung in ballads by wandering minstrels, the Bish
ops met to consider what had best be done in tn,
matter For" said they, ''this story of Edward
the Priest, his upright life, his sorrow and retire
ment, has so wrought upon the minds of many
that they murmur at us, and say the fault is ours
Now, if we should seek out this old man, and b,
comforting some dignity upon him, make him on
with us, we shall escape the censure of this people
and save from scandal the Holy Church and a
there has been no fault found in him for man,
years, his promotion can bring no reproaeh on us
He is now an old man, and cannot survive long
} and at his death all will recur back to u.s." So
was agreed to bestow a B~ishopric on the old hcr
nit. But" it was suggested, Suppose he vii
not accept it," "IIe shall have no alternative bu
to accept" spoke the Archbishop. Five IIig
Priests were then appointed to go and seek GU
Father Edward, and bring him before them, an
| place the Bishops mitre on his brow.
They met, rs expected. with determined resis