The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-08-01

fCiidid. Even he naQ TO go up step by step. Tho
boy whose heart bursting with the MESSAGE
OF salvation found the people paying verv littI
attention to him. This was grief and morti6-
cation to him. but he found comfort in praver
and in talking with his kind, sensible mother So
In many ways he was glad when he was sent -
the convent of ST. Mark, in Florence
Florence city-republic, and imagined her
self independent. She was rich. Her citizens
wove beautiful silks and woods, made jewelry and
were famous bankers. Her gold form was the
standard currency of Europe. She had her Pa
lazzo Vecchio her Loggia, her Duomo, and ST
Marks, the splendid convent upon which the most
celebrated architect of his day spent six years
at cost of thrty-sx thousond forins whose
walls Fra Angelica covered with his matchless
paintings. St Marks had the finest collection Of
manuscripts in the world These were presented
by Cosmo de Medici, and really formed the first
public library in Italy. These de Medici were
rich merchants, but for four generations they
ruled Florence like absolute monarchs Those
who objected to them put to death or thrown
into dungeons, that when Savonarola came
Lorenzo the Magnificent held full sway and on
the surface things looked prosperous and happy
Lorenzo himself planned new and ingenious WAYS
OF entertaining the people and keeping them in
good spirits; and all Italy was like Ferrara and
Florence Sad to say, even the popes who were
called the Wears of Christ had forgotten what
purity and righteousness meant
OF course, Savonarola preached about vice in
high places, and the restitution of the common
PSOPiC. Dut whether he preaChed or kept Silent
1t made no difference apparently, for in all that
temming city only about twenty five went to hear
him. Many of these laughed at him, and said he
was rough and uncouth, and even advised him to
go and hear Father Mariana, who discoursed
most elegantly of Plato. Elegance of language"
replied Savonarola quietly, "must give way before
simplicity IN preaching sound doctrine" His
doctrine came from the Bible, and not from Plato
Fra Girolamo continued to preach and help the
poor, and gradually people came to believe in
him. He gained few true friends who never
torsook him. One of these was the painter Fra
Bartoommeo whose portrait of his friend we
may see at st. Marks. His congregation in
creased, and at last he had the satisfaction of be-
ing invited to preach in the Duomo. News of
this came to Lorenzo in his grand Paazzo Vec-
chic. He troubled, and sent a messenger to
reason with the bold friar. Did SavonaroIa stop?
Not he; and when Lorenzo lay dying and no
body could ease his troubled conscience he sent
for Fra Girolamo
Worse days coming for poor Italy and
Tor Florence. The notorious Pope, Alexander
vi, was in Rome, and, as if that were not enough
Charles the Eighth, of France took it into his
head that the crown of Naples belonged to him
With great army, he marched into Italy to get
It, On his way, he passed through Florence The
Med1c1s fled before him, leaving the city prey
to the French soldiers And now, in their con
sternation, the people turned to Savonaroa i'm
ploring him to help them. And help them he did
His arguments induced Charles to take his sol
oieis ana go on, ana MS wisdom guided the people
In setting up republican Florence with no ty-
rant at her head
The people wild with gratitude for their
freedom, and Fra Girolamo was their idol The
Duomo was packed almost to bursting with the
crowds who wanted to hear how to live the new
lie. Instead Of spending their money on feasts,
men gave it to feed the poor. Women brought
their jewels, and children went round COLLECTING
Tor the needy. Savonaroa the best-beoved
man i'll Italy. His fame flew to the ends of the
earth.
All this did not please the powers at Rome,
however. His Holiness declared that this Flor
entine preacher must be put out of the way. But