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great influence and dignity； second only in power to the Pope
himself； animating the councils of the Vatican； moving the minds of
kings； controlling the souls of a numerous fraternity； and making
his influence felt in every corner of the world。 Before the
remembrance of his passionate eloquence； his eyes of fire； and his
countenance of seraphic piety had passed away from the minds of his
own generation； his disciples 〃had planted their missionary
stations among Peruvian mines； in the marts of the African slave…
trade； among the islands of the Indian Ocean； on the coasts of
Hindustan； in the cities of Japan and China； in the recesses of
Canadian forests； amid the wilds of the Rocky Mountains。〃 They had
the most important chairs in the universities； they were the
confessors of monarchs and men of rank； they had the control of the
schools of Italy； France； Austria； and Spain； and they had become
the most eloquent； learned； and fashionable preachers in all
Catholic countries。 They had grown to be a great institution；an
organization instinct with life； a mechanism endued with energy and
will； forming a body which could outwatch Argus with his hundred
eyes； and outwork Briareus with his hundred arms； they had twenty
thousand eyes open upon every cabinet； every palace； and every
private family in Catholic Europe； and twenty thousand arms
extended over the necks of every sovereign and all their subjects；…
…a mighty moral and spiritual power； irresponsible； irresistible；
omnipresent； connected intimately with the education； the learning；
and the religion of the age； yea； the prime agents in political
affairs； the prop alike of absolute monarchies and of the papal
throne； whose interests they made identical。 This association；
instinct with one will and for one purpose； has been beautifully
likened by Doctor Williams to the chariot in the Prophet's vision：
〃The spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels； wherever the
living creatures went； the wheels went with them； wherever those
stood； these stood： when the living creatures were lifted up； the
wheels were lifted up over against them； and their wings were full
of eyes round about； and they were so high that they were dreadful。
So of the institution of Ignatius；one soul swayed the vast mass；
and every pin and every cog in the machinery consented with its
whole power to every movement of the one central conscience。〃
Luther moved Europe by ideas which emancipated the millions； and
set in motion a progress which is the glory of our age； Loyola
invented an agency which arrested this progress； and led the
Catholic world back again into the subjections and despotisms of
the Middle Ages； retaining however the fear of God and of Hell；
which are the extremes of human motive。
What is the secret of such a wonderful success？ Two things： first；
the extraordinary virtues； abilities； and zeal of the early
Jesuits； and； secondly； their wonderful machinery in adapting means
to an end。
The history of society shows that no body of men ever obtained a
wide…spread ascendancy； never secured general respect； unless they
deserved it。 Industry produces its fruits； learning and piety have
their natural results。 Even in the moral world natural law asserts
its supremacy。 Hypocrisy and fraud ultimately will be detected； no
enduring reputation is built upon a lie； sincerity and earnestness
will call out respect； even from foes； learning and virtue are
lights which are not hid under a bushel。 Enthusiasm creates
enthusiasm； a lofty life will be seen and honored。 Nor do people
intrust their dearest interests except to those whom they
venerate；and venerate because their virtues shine like the face
of a goddess。 We yield to those only whom we esteem wiser than
ourselves。 Moses controlled the Israelites because they venerated
his wisdom and courage； Paul had the confidence of the infant
churches because they saw his labors； Bernard swayed his darkened
age by the moral power of learning and sanctity。 The mature
judgments of centuries never have reversed the judgments which past
ages gave in reference to their master minds。 All the pedants and
sophists of Europe cannot whitewash Frederic II。 or Henry VIII。 No
man in Athens was more truly venerated than Socrates when he mocked
his judges。 Cicero； Augustine； Aquinas； appeared to
contemporaries； as they appear to us。 Even Hildebrand did not
juggle himself into his theocratic chair。 Washington deserved all
the reverence he enjoyed； and Bonaparte himself was worthy of the
honors he received； so long as he was true to the interests of
France。
So of the Jesuits；there is no mystery in their success； the same
causes would produce the same results again。 When Catholic Europe
saw men born to wealth and rank voluntarily parting with their
goods and honors； devoting themselves to religious duties； often in
a humble sphere； spending their days in schools and hospitals；
wandering as preachers and missionaries amid privations and in
fatigue； encountering perils and dangers and hardships with fresh
and ever…sustained enthusiasm； and finally yielding up their lives
as martyrs； to proclaim salvation to idolatrous savages；it knew
them to be heroic； and believed them to be sincere； and honored
them in consequence。 When parents saw that the Jesuits entered
heart and soul into the work of education； winning their pupils'
hearts by kindness； watching their moods； directing their minds
into congenial studies； and inspiring them with generous
sentiments； they did not stop to pry into their motives； and
universities； when they discovered the superior culture of educated
Jesuits； outstripping all their associates in learning； and
shedding a light by their genius and erudition； very naturally
appointed them to the highest chairs； and even the people； when
they saw that the Jesuits were not stained by vulgar vices； but
were hard…working； devoted to their labors； earnest； and eloquent；
put themselves under their teachings； and especially when they
added gentlemanly manners； good taste； and agreeable conversation
to their unimpeachable morality and religious fervor； they made
these men their confessors as well as preachers。 Their lives stood
out in glorious contrast with those of the old monks and the
regular clergy； in an age of infidel levities； when the Italian
renaissance was bearing its worst fruits； and men were going back
to Pagan antiquity for their pleasures and opinions。
That the early Jesuits blazed with virtues and learning and piety
has never been denied； although these things have been poetically
exaggerated。 The world was astonished at their intrepidity； zeal；
and devotion。 They were not at first intriguing； or ambitious； or
covetous。 They loved their Society； but they loved still more what
they thought was the glory of God。 Ad majoram Dei gloriam was the
motto which was emblazoned on their standard when they went forth
as C