The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08
SPIRITUAL BATTLES LOST
 AND WON BY JEAN VALJEAN
PART 2-By DORA C. FELL

The blessed Christ in whom are summed
 up all the sanctities and all tae suffer
 ings of humanity asked that the cup
 which seemed dripping with darkness
 might pass from Him. Jean Valjean
 sweated great drops of agony as did our
 Saviour, and he sought strength and con-
 solation from him who guides his be- nighted children He told himself he | should accomplish his sacrifice, "he would, for the sake of brother. return to the galleys, the post the iron necklet, the green cap, unceasing toll and pitiless
 shame" He had now a firm grip on that
 mystical power which brought him to the climax of nobleness. His altruistic work
 was ended, he must expiate his sins.
 But he made another escape and with | undaunted and persistent spirit which | came from afar he entered the widd , world to redeem his promise to Fantine. One should live by giving and receiving; We need the companionship of another
 soul. Whatever 1t gives we make our
 own and give back again in overfiowing measure. Jean did not entertain the
 thought of marriage, but the instinct of fatherhood made welcome the child, Co- sette. into his hun gering heart He was on the threshold of that heaven where parents are young and children are lit- tle." She was the second white appari- tion which he had encountered the bishop
  virtue to rise on his horizon.
 It was at this point in his career that he took up the harp of life and smote on
 all It's chords with might.
 We see him and this little one enter into an ideal homelife, both having been foreigners to love. Her welfare was his
 inspiration to follow in the very foot steps of Christ. The subterranean journey with Marius on his broad shoulders was type of our savior's bearing the sins of the world When he gave liberty to his arch-enemy his act bespoke that full 1 free pardon which Is the basis Of our 1 salvation.
 | His dream of affection materialized In | the child and when he resigned Cosette to
 the care of Marius his last battle was | fought It meant separation. He had the | abundance of the love maternal, through which fine quality motherhood IS glorihed. In saving the innocent brother he sac | rificed pride, public approbation and ms | personal happiness, his life and all ne 1 had lived for his conscience and honor l In resgning the child he loosened the last cord which bound him to earth. He knew what it was Ito nurse, to rear, to love and | then to lose''
 Revealing himself for Cosettos sake, in 1 his desolate chamber. he resigned himself l to plunge alone through tine night or | death into the light of an unknown world death, the llDerdlori lettiip5 ih0 oN' N'
 it's completion.
 This character was meant to inspire us | to work with a spirit of love aud to weary
 not in well-doing; to make an offering 10 | some desolate Cosette, to uplift some de- ! generate man or preferably to speak word of tenderness to some Fantine. l Jeans trials had each left hirn on hlgher | ground Do we wonder at the achieve ments of this noble soul that embodied all the constituents of love The thrill or desire to rise above the dust enabled him to gaze at the hiltops of life and to rise 1 from one summit to another until he
 breathed his native air of spiritual reality and become the resurrected bishop.
 ITO mount from workshop to palace is rare and beautiful, so you think; to l rise from error to truth is more rare and more beautiful"
 ''Why, if the soul can fling the dust aside And naked on the air of heaven ride Were't not shame-weret not shame for him
 In this clay carcass crippled to ap'oef