Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-03-04

the pursuit of philosophy His
time was so devoted to these teach
ings that at length his soul seemed
to breathe forth the essence of their
deep thought. 1.-THE wise shall
counsel" thought the father who
spent his time in planning for
brilliant future for his son. After
close examination of all the educa-
tional courses, the father decided
that medicine best suited the turn
of his sons mind. However, the
youth was not disposed toward
worldly attainments and later
secretly joined the monastery at
Bologna. Here he spent seven
years of his youth studying with
undaunted energy: Here he again
pored increasingly oyer the volumes
of philosophy. Here he was away
from the whir of the world, with no
companions except his books. Here,
clad in simple cowl and gown he
spent his time III desolate cell,
destitute of furniture except for
stone bench and table. But few
years ago he had been a favorite of
the court, clad in princely garb, and
true and loyal son ofan aristocratic
family. When asked for his reasons
for entering inonastic life, the monk
remarked, 81 could not endure the
wickedness of the blinded people of
Italy, and the more so becarse 1
saw everywhere virtue despised and
vice honOred."
Through the influence of Lorenzo,
the Magnificent, he was called to
Florence. His great learning had
preceded him and he was hailed
with glorious pomp. The Florentines
were familiar with the most learned
and eloquent monks of that age.
This one, choosing subjects diff
ferent than they had ever heard be-
fore, failed to gain or hold the in
terest of the people and his first ap-
pearance was an utter failure.
Inundated with defeat, he returned
again to his studies, but not in
despair, to Bresia, where he devoted
himself to the culture of his voice
and style. In fourteen hundred and
ninety-two, he again returned to
Florence to preach as he had never
preached before.
Florence at this time was under
the prosperous rule of Lorenzo, the
Magnificent, of the noble family of
Medici. Her spires and dcmes
glistened in the warm glorious
summer sun and everywhere was
seen the hustle of industry. Yet
underneath this splendor the city
was permeated with vice and
iniqultY. 1t was at this time that
Florence sheltered one destined to
be power in the worlds advance
ment-Girolamo Savonarola.
Before taking up the work of this
noted monk, let us glance at his
personal appearance. He was of
middle stature and bore noble and
severe countenance His dark eyes
glowed like living Goals of fire when
excited. His long and willowy
fingers seemed to electrify his audi
ences. His voice was shr1ll but by
his bold and open style of powerful
oratory he completely captivated
his listeners.
Savonarola had two great mis-
sions in life; to reform the Florentine
state, and to purge the sins of the
church.
His entrance into political affairs
seemed to be the great mistake of
his life. Lorenzo de Medici was at
the helm of government and guided
it with a high hand. Savonarola
made many accusations against the
ways of the government, and the
royal head recognizing the power of
the monk, now wished to make
friends with him. Lorenzo never
once succeeded, and dying some
years later left the Florentine state
without a head. Having won the
hearts of the people by his noble
work Savonarola was chosen former
and administrator of new govern
ment. The monk proceeded to
make laws based upon religious
principles. Doing away with all
sources of vice and corruption, he
sought to establish government of
purity and holiness.
The dignitaries of the church
were promoters of vice and sin.
These they encouraged by the &C.
emulation and improper use OF the
church's vast wealth. Savonarola
openly rebuked these sins and built
up a purer and holier church at San
Mateo as model. His great renown
attracted the attention of the Pope
who offered him the scarlet cap of a
Al