The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-09-14
ABELARD AND HEL0IsE.


ton of the evil resulting from affec-
ton unbridled by religious principles.
As such, in spite of its excessive SEN
timentality, it may yet teach mankind
women especially--priceless lessons
of wisdom.
In castellated chateau overlooking
the little village of Pallet, in Brittany,
Peter Abelard was born in 1919. His
ancestors had long been the lords of
the surrounding domain, and had often
won renown on the battle field Peter
was born heir to their fair estate. but
in very early life his brilliant and
acute intellect inclined him to learning
rather than to military pursuits. Re-
nouncing his birthright, and refusing
to don the mailed coat of the warrior,
he put on the gown of the student,
bent his beautiful head over the tones
of antiquity, and spent his youth in
the diligent pursuit of knowledge.
Speedily outstripping every local com
petitor, he traversed France, visiting
every noted school, seeking knowledge
from every distinguished teacher, and
disputing with every lover of contro
versy. Gle was a real logical knight
errant, everywhere seeking philosoph-
ical adventures
When twenty years old Abelard
found his way to Paris, where he
placed himself under the instruction of
William OF ChampeauX, reputed to be
the best scholar and ablest logician in
France. At first the master was
proud of his pupil, but when Abelard
began to puzzle him, as he soon did,
with subtle questions, and to over
throw him with his own logical weap-
ons, he became first Jealous of and
then hostile to the daring young man
who threatened to eclipse his hard
earned glory. But Abelard, proudly
conscious of his own superiority in
everything but mathematics, which he
disliked, and aware of his popularity
| with his fellow students, resolved,
when twenty-five, to set up school of
his own. AS this could not be law
fully done in Paris, he first went to
Melun, and subsequently to Corbeil.
His success was immediate and splen-
did. His old master did his utmost to
prevent it, but in vain. His genius
triumphed over all opposition. Stu
dents fiocked round his chair in large
numbers. He rose at once to re.
nown which cast shadow upon all
other teachers of philosophy.
But Abelard's body is unequal tc
the task imposed upon it by his active
and laborious mind, and after few
years it totters beneath its burdens
He is, therefore, compelled to retire
lawhile to his native village, a feeble
nervous invalid, seeking recuperatiol
through repose and quiet.
| Restored to his wonted health, Abe
lard resumes his studies under his OLE
| discounted master at the Abbey of st
Victor. William of Champeaux
though nervous and uncomfortable il
the presence of his formidable pupil
cannot forbid him place among hi
students. Neither can he long main
tain a masters position where Abelar'
is pupil. The latter soon takes issu
with one of the fundamental proposi
tons of his teachers philosophy, an
overthrows it triumphantly William
pupils forsake him, and he is compe
led to retire, with the blush of discon
fiture on his aged cheek, from tn
6ema of the philosopher to the cloiste
of the monastery.
Abelard, crowned with the laure
of victory, returned to Melun, frol
whence he soon after removed to tn
vicinity of Paris, where his reputatio
drew multitudes of pupils to his lie
lures. He now had no rival as tel
cher. He ruled in the philosophic
world at Paris as its supreme dictate
He became the intellectual Napoleo
of the hour.
His old opponent had been made
bishop, Abelard would also becon
an ecclesiast,c and win inter. 7
this end he closed his schools, an
going to Laon, entered the school
the learned and popular Anselm as
student in theology. Quickly percei
ing that "when Anselm kindled /
fire he produced smoke, but no lgh
Abelard spoke lightly of him, al
when challenged by his admirel
began to give theological lectures hi
self. The curious students focked
hear him, and praised his lectures c
Enthusiastically. Anselm was enragt
and authoritatively put stop to
lectures of his brilliant young riv
Abelard returned to Paris with t
prestige of superiority over the hu
bled theologian.
Paris speedily recognized him
its brightest philosophic star I
luster of his name soon dazzled
eyes of all Europe. Students to
number of five thousand flocked to
lectures from all parts of the civilii
lworld, and from the noblest families
the age. "Paris was proud Of Abelar
His noble bearing, fiery look, la
forehead, beautiful countenance, {
giant manners, and luxurious dress,
tracted and delighted the eyes of
crowd whenever he appeared in
streets, Women gazed admirin
- upon him from the windows of tt
dwellings. AT the age of thirty-ei
he stood as a proud conquerer at
topmost height of his profession,
versally acknowledged to be
worlds wisest greatest, most brill
teacher-the intellectual leader of
! age.
Alas, that such genius she
stumble into the slough of passi
But history records his disgraceful
and the teachings of the Ron
Church must be held largely respo
BILE for his misconduct. He had
! ready become canon, and was
pecting to be priest and win CHI
i, dignities. But celibaoy was a'co
tion of such ambition. He might
marry. Nevertheless, he might be
keeper of mistress without in
to his ecclesiastical prosp,
= Such was, such is, the moral laxit
Romanism, which holds submissio
her unscriptural rules to be OF
higher importance than obedience
the pure laws of God