The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1877-08-01
A WonderInent.

Did you ever hear of Simeon Stylltes? He
was fanatic who lived in the fifth century. A
fanatic is one who INDUCES in wild and extrava-
giant notions OF religion. We have no informa-
ton about the childhood and youth of Simeon.
We know nothing about his education. About
the year APO he appeared perched upon pillar
three feet IN diameter and sixty feet high and
there he remained day and night. summer and
winter, for 81 years. He took food only once q
week, slept very little, and spent most Of the
time in prayer. In prayer, his body was not
motionless he would extend his arms 10 the
form of q cross and then bow until his head
touched the top of the column on which he was
standing. Difficult as was ihs movement on
that dizzy pinnacle so contracted, an eye witness
declares that he saw him perform the exploit
1914 times. and then he left off counting, and
this was in northern Syria. where both heat and
cold are much greater than at these islands, ex-
cept OF the mountains.
After having remained on the pillar 81 years,
it was noticed that he did not move for three
days. Then one OF his disciples assembled the
pillar and found that he was dead.
There IRE two lives Of Simeon, one by Antony
and the other by Theodoret. From these two
lives Charles Kingsley inserts twenty-five pages
in his account Of Simeon in his book called "I'he
| Hermts.' The account of Simeon he terms
" Fantastic Story" and he comes to the con
clusion that these good hermits, and Simeon
among them. worked no real miracles, and saw
no real visions, notwithstanding the great nun.
Der on record. OF these will note few. of the
example OF the many. At the age Of about
thirteen he determined to enter monastery, but
| il was under difficulties that he entered, for he
approached the gate, fell down, and lay there
five days, without food or drink. before he was
noticed. Then after some searching questions
| by the Abbot be was introduced into the mon
astery. During four months be took food only
once a week, and during that time be learnt the
whole Psalter by heart.
But one day. having gone to the well to draw
water, he took the rope from the bucket, and
wound it round his body from his loins to his
neck and his body was wounded by the tight
ness and roughness of the rope, because it cut
him TO the bone, and sank into his flesh till it
was hardly seen. This having been discovered,
they took off the rope with great trouble. and
his flesh with it, and, taking care Of him, healed
! him.
Then, like Moses and Elijah, he undertook to
fast forty days. and having succeeded. he con-
tinued the practice for twenty-eight years.
When his fame Was nosed abroad multtudes
| ,bronged around the pillar, some who were many
days journey off bringing the palsied and the
sick to be healed, and others asking for great
| variety Vi ihSOTS, anu WueH RalHeu
their request they went back joyful, proclainiing
the benefits they had obtained, and sending
many more to beg the same.
II any one wishes an account of the particular
marvels, said to be wrought by Simeon. let him
read the article. Simeon Stylites in The Her
mits," by Charles Kingsley. Read also Tenny-
sons poem, which Kingsley says " is as admira-
bic for its savage grandness as for its deep
knowledge Of human nature" 10 this poem
rennyson portTays the feelings aud motives, and
| hopes OF Simeon. Thus commences the poem
Although be the basest of mankind.
From scalp to SOLE one slough and crust of SIM
UNIT for earth, unfit for Heaven scarce meet
For troops Of devils, mad with basphemy
will not cease to grasp the hope hold
OF saintdom, and to clamor, mourn, and sOb
Gathering the gates of Heaven with prayer,
| Have mercy, Lord and take away my sin
Why did he expose himself to such dreadful
and longcontinued sufferingsi Here seems to
be the motive, at least one OF the motives
Let this avail, just, dreadful. mighty God,
| This not all in vain, that thrice years,
Thrice multiplied by superhuman pangs,
! In hungers and in thrsts, fevers and cold,
In coughs aches stitches ucerous throes and cramps,
sign between the meadow and the cloud,
Patient on this tall pillar have borne,
Rain, wind, frost, heat, hail. damp, sleet and
Read the poem through. If Simeon had any
wish for notoriety, he obtained it to his hearts
content. Says Milman, ION one religious sub
ject alone the conflicting East maintained its
perfect unity in the reverence. it may be said the
worship, of the Hermit on the Pillar"