not to suffer in silence—­of those that would feign enjoy, as children of heaven, the gifts which the Creator has bestowed upon all the human family.  Yes, the day approaches—­the end of the reign of our modern Pharisees—­the false priests, who lend their sacrilegious aid to the merciless selfishness of the strong against the weak, by daring to maintain in the face of the exhaustless treasures of the creation, that God has made man for tears, and sorrow, and suffering—­the false priests, who are the agents of all oppression, and would bow to the earth, in brutish and hopeless humiliation, the brow of every creature.  No, no! let man lift his head proudly!  God made him to be noble and intelligent free and happy.”

“Oh, my brother! your words also are prophetic.  Yes, yes! the dawn of that bright day approaches, even as the dawn of the natural day which, by the mercy of God, will be our last on earth.”

“The last, my sister; for a strange weakness creeps over me, all matter seems dissolving in me, and my soul aspires to mount to heaven.”

“Mine eyes are growing dim, brother; I can scarcely see that light in the east, which lately appeared so red.”

“Sister! it is through a confused vapor that I now see the valley—­the lake—­the woods.  My strength fails me.”

“Blessed be God, brother! the moment of eternal rest is at hand.”

“Yes, it comes, my sister! the sweetness of the everlasting sleep takes possession of my senses.”

“Oh, happiness!  I am dying—­”

“These eyes are closing, sister!”

“We are then forgiven!”

“Forgiven!”

“Oh, my brother! may this Divine redemption extend to all those who suffer upon the earth!”

“Die in peace, my sister!  The great day has dawned—­the sun is rising—­behold!”

“Blessed be God!”

“Blessed be God!”

And at the moment when those two voices ceased forever, the sun rose radiant and dazzling, and deluged the valley with its beams.

To M. C—­P—.

To you, my friend, I dedicated this book.  To inscribe it with your name, was to assume an engagement that, in the absence of talent, it should be at least conscientious, sincere, and of a salutary influence, however limited.  My object is attained.  Some select hearts, like yours, my friend, have put into practice the legitimate association of labor, capital, and intelligence, and have already granted to their workmen a proportionate share in the profits of their industry.  Others have laid the foundations of Common Dwelling-houses, and one of the chief capitalists of Hamburg has favored me with his views respecting an establishment of this kind, on the most gigantic scale.

As for the dispersion of the members of the Company of Jesus, I have taken less part in it than other enemies of the detestable doctrines of Loyola, whose influence and authority were far greater than mine.