CHAP. III.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

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What greater blessing can be vouchsafed to him by-Christ, than to die for His holy creed?—That weshould not then lament, but sing songs of triumph;—that much more reason would those accursedinfidels have to lament for having lost so many oftheir choicest soldiers—.that if small, feeble St.Elmo cost them so much, what are they to expectfrom us here ?—That ours is certain victory! withGod’s aid, most certain victory!—that away withimpossibilities. In His service are none!—that onlythink you may 7 , and you can do all things—that itis therefore, you are able to do anything. “ In Hisservice I tell you we are omnipotent.” Then ad-dressing more particularly the women, he remindedthem that it was St. John’s day, so that they mustnow dry up their tears, and flock as usual to thechurch, where they would find the accustomed con-solations and those holy observances that lift theoppressed spirit, and fill it with joyous ease; andthat in the afternoon the popular festivities shouldtake place as usual; for that indeed it would be agreat shame if the valiant men of Borgo should notfeel as much innocent hilarity as their females. Soit was indeed. And when the usual shouts, rattles,bonfires, arose—it may be doubted whether toimitate them was the Moslem wish, and St. Johnbeing previous to Christianity, might have been a

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