The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-09-10
SOME NEW hooks.
4 Curious Episode In the History OF the
Roman Church.

Roman Church.
With the attempt to reform the Church OF
Rome from within made by the Jansenists
most OF us are familiar but relatively little
attention has been paid In English literature
70 the reform undertaken century later by
the Spaniard Molinos. which had at one time
20 inconsderable chances OF success. and
which. from a doctrinaY pointof view. exhibits
strange analogies to Buddhism and TO the
Stole philosophy The neglect with which this
interesting chapter in the annals OF the Roman
Catholic Church has been treated seems at last
In fair way to DO rectifed. In the historical
novel called John Inglesant." which has been
recently published and widely read In England.
tho apostle OF Quietism himself figures as part
81 the machinery OF the story and now we have
the same subject thoughtfully discussed IN
: monograph. entitled Molinos the Quietist.
BY john BIGKLow (Scribners). or Monos and
his martyrdom Mr.. Bigeow and the Huthor OF
John Ingesant" take substantially ,..e same
view viz. that he was pure and spiritual
minded man. who wished to reform the Church
and vitalize religion but that the Jesuits. who
then exercised controlling influence at Rome.
desired neither the one thing nor the other,
and made an example of him. in order to deter
others from repeating the experiment. Molnos
was Of noble Spanish family. and was born in
The diocese Of Saragossa in Aragon in 1927. He
took his tn Biological degree at the Portuguese
University OF Coimbra, and after career Of
some distinction in his own country went to
Rome. where he speedily acquired re-
markabe reputation as a spiritual direc-
tor. 1t was here. in 1878. that he published
thu little book entitled " The Spiritual Guide
which was to excite widespread agitation and
vehement discussions In the bosom Of the
Roman Church. The substance OF its teach
d. th.t< l,,fh "a
TO be the attainment here on earth OF spiritual
perfection. Like Gautama. he pointed out two
methods Of reaching the desired goal. to wit
the external path of asceticism and the higher
internal way OF spiritual publication and self
placement. Those. he said, who endeavored
10 acquire holiness by abstinence and NORTH
cation OF the flesh were in the external path.
or way Of beginners which. though to
some it might be useful. would never
conduct them to perfection. He considered the
truly spiritual men to be those whom God had
called from that outward way into the
interior retirement Of their souls. and who
had totally put of and forgotten the appetites.
The affections. and the thoughts OF earth. Such
men, he taught are always quiet. serene. and
even-minded whether under extraordinary
graces and favor. or under the most rigorous
torments. Tribulations never disturb them;
40 success makes them glad. but they remain
always full Of holy and iiial fear. in wonder
tul serenity. constancy. and peace. 1t was by
q similar self-e1acement that the founder of
Buddhism babe men attain unto Sirvana: and
In language almost identical. Molinos taught
that by the way of nothingness thou must
come to lose thyself in God and happy will
thou be If thou canst so lose myself"
Strange as these doctrines of passivity seem
In the mouth of a Roman divine. Mr.. Bigelow
xL-s
after all. which had not been taught by many
Of the most highly esteemed mystical writers of
the Church. some of whom. including Francis
de Sales had been canonized as saints. But
tho doctrines we're presented by Molinos in
such an unaffected and singularly winning
style that the book. as well as its author
acquired prompt and extraordinary popular
ity. 1t appears that The Spiritual Guide"
received the formal appreciation Of five famous
doctors. four OF them InQuisitors and one a
Jesuit, and that within six years it passed
through twenty editions, and was translated into
most Of the European languages. Moreover
tts authors acquaintance and friendship were
sought by people in the greatest credit not
only In Rome through personal intercourse.
but in other parts OF Europe by correspond
once. Among his followers were three Fathers
OF the Oratory who soon afterwa-d received
Cardinals hats. and even the Popes who success
sively occupied the pontifical chair during his
residence in Rome took particular notice Of
him The Cardinal Odescalchi was no sooner
raised to the pontihcate rs Innocent VI. than
he provided Molinos with lodgings at the Vat
lean and such was his esteem for him that he
Is said to have formed the purpose of making
him a Cardinal. and to have actually selected
him for time as his spiritual direc-
tor. Every one. in short. who was
sincerely devout. or who wished to
be thought so. adopted the method OF Moli-
nos" Queen Christina of Sweden. who was
then residing at Rome put herself under hia
guidance. and made his spiritua! gifts and
piety a tavorite theme of her extensive cor
respondence. Cardinal d'Estrees. who repre-
Bented Louis XIV. at tho pontincai court felt
II to be worth his while to identify himself with
the new departure. and to pu, Mo.inos in coz:
respondence with important people in France.
Much OF the respect paid to him. no doubt. wns
prompted by a knowledge of the protection
which he enjoyed in high quarters. but to his
more sincere adherents hs seemed another $.
Paul sent to emancipate them from I'll thral
OF image manufacturers. and Of an idoatrou
and costly ccremonial-to bring them nearer t.
God. and to lead them away from priestcrn'
and obscurantsm.
1t was soon observed however. that while The
In their manner Of life. and more Indifferent tu
the world. they showed corresponding indi'-
ference to the exterior rites OF the Church
they were seen loss frequently N mass made
little account 81 relics chaplats, and corporehi
8usterites neglected. the confessional and pill
grmages. and bcclmr less lavish in their cN-
penditures for masses for their deceased
friends and kindred. This was IL state Of
things which could not be permitted TO go on
indefinitely unrss the structure and organi-
,ation Of the Roman Church were To be ahan.
doned. II the external acts Of devotion were
10 be sighted ii trdns.ress 1rs were
10 go directly to their Maker with then
budget OF sins for forgiveness or indulgence,
and II they had no occasion to leave thei
rooms to ask intercesson for the deliveranrc
Of the souls Of their deceased relatives from
pursatory. how was the Church To- h" supported
This was a practical. aspect OF the situation
which seenas first 10 have presented t9cli T.
he Je5uits. who were then. "A, t!!ey are nov
the driving wheel Of the papal system. Th"j
saw at once that quietism or Romanism mus,