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Show GREAT MEN AND THE "IMITATION OF CHRIST." Sometimes it is thought that the "Imitation of Christ.'' the little book which, because it is now generally conceded that Thomas a'Kempis is the author, is called "Kompis." is usually supposed to be the favorite reading only of women and of men who are very religiously inclined and not very practical prac-tical in their views. Ordinarily there would be no idea that great influential thinners in present day life should have it as their favorite reading. 1 am reminded, however, to note Ihe falsity of this opinion opin-ion bv the death of M. Pobiodonostseff, who was for so many years the head of the Holy Synod in Ilussia. He is said to have exerted during the past generation more influence in Russia than the czar. That influence, of course, was in favor of the rights, and privileges of the old nobility and against the. people: but then ibis was his firm persuasion, and he could see no benefit to be obtained by letting tiie people share government in the present state of their education and feeling. His favorite reading, at least one chapter a day being done, was the ''Imitation ''Im-itation of Christ."' I 'am tempted in th s mat tcr to mention that England's greatest jurist in the nineteenth nine-teenth cenurv. he famous Charles Kussell, who afterward af-terward became Lord Kussell of Killowen and Lord Chancellor of England, had lhc custom of reading a chapter of the "Imitation" every day. and for j that purpose constantly carried a small eopy-of it with him. Another distinguished modern thinker, who perhaps least, id' all would be suspected of such a custom, hut who yet not only read himself, but recommended to all his disciples the reading of a chapter of the "Imitation" every day, was August Com to. the famous French positivist. It is very evident ev-ident ihat such men would not have given so much time to his little book nor recommended it so freely to others, only that they felt that its meaning was so deej) that it was well worth the attention given to it. James .1. Walsh. M. D., Ph. D., in the Helper. |
