Light in the dark places : or, memorials of Christian life in the middle ages

Preface

TO THE AMERICAN EDITION.

Neander's aim, in the work from which this volume is a translation, was to employ the most striking facts of Church History for general Christian edification. The faith, the zeal, and the piety of the early missionaries and martyrs of the Church, and the Christian life of individuals, and even of communities, amid periods of darkness and delusion, are commemorated here with that genial sympathy for pure religion, however and wherever manifested, which so strongly characterized Xeander. His charity may, in some few instances appear excessive ; but excess of love is so rare, that it may well be excused.

J. M'Clintock.

PREFACE,

When a child is frightened at any strange apparition, the best remedy is to lead him up to it; and when men have been accustomed to pay homage to some wonder-working image, the most effectual argument against their idolatry has sometimes been found to show them how the idol is made. Many have, perhaps, been led to make one or other of these mistakes with regard to the Middle Ages ; the long shadows of the past so easily convert common things into miracles or monsters. It is hoped that the simple narratives contained in this volume may help, in some degree, to remove both mistakes, by showing things as they are.

O PREFACE,

This little work is a translation of the Second Part of Neander's " Denkwurcligkeiten aus der Geschichte des christlichen Lebens," which may be regarded as a popular and practical supplement to his " History of the Christian Eeligion and Church."

The translator would feel the toil of many summer hours amply rewarded, should this volume tend in any measure to strengthen our reverent love for the good men of other times, whilst manifesting their mistakes ; to lessen any blind homage for the " golden mean" of time, whilst unveiling the lights which have shone before those who watched for them in the darkest ages ; to dispel any sentimental worship of times and seasons, and human institutions ; and at the same time to enlarge our sympathies with that holy Church of the redeemed and the regenerate, which is catholic amongst the centuries as well as amongst the nations.

She will look on her labours as indeed

PREFACE.

blessed, should they be the means of leading one dark heart into the path of light, or one sick soul to Him who healeth " all manner of sickness, and all manner of disease," or one languid disciple to more effective service, by the inspiration of holy example. We have, all of us, but a little while to prove how we love Him, who has so loved us ; and it will be no small thing to have the gracious approval of the " faithful servant" added to the recognition of the forgiven child.

May we also, with Dr. Xeander, as with all human teachers, remember that they are " ours" — not we " theirs ;" not, indeed, in the spirit of <; right" and self-will, but of lowlier subjection to a loftier guide — and of that true loyalty to our Lord, which makes all heroworship for us not only idolatry, but treason. And now that his words come to us with the touching solemnity of a voice which death has so recently silenced, may we listen to them, and learn from them, in the spirit

6 PREFACE.

which he would desire from the place of rest to which God has taken him, where all the broken glimpses of truth, which cause error and division here, are filled up ; and he has, ere this, learned to know even as he is known,

CONTENTS,

Part I

OPERATIONS OF CHRISTIANITY DURING AND AFTER THE IRRUPTION OF THE BARBARIANS.

Introduction Page 11

1. The North African "Church under the Vandals 13 (Martyrs. — Eugenius, Bishop of Carthage 22

Fulgentius, Bishop of Ruspe) 31

2. Severinus un Germany 36 a. GERMANUS OF AuXERRE 50

b. Lupus of Troyes 54:

c. Cesarius of Arles 56

e. Eligius of Xoyon 98

(Archanefreda. Mother of Desiderius 98

Desederius of Cahors) Ill

/. The Abbots Euroul and Loumon 115

4. Gregory the Great. Bishop of Rome 117

5. Christianity in Poverty and Lowliness, and on

the Sick Bed , 146

10 CONTENTS,

Part II. Memoirs From The History Of Missions In The Middle Ages

1. General Remakes on the History of Missions

in this Age Page 150

Christianity in its relations to Barbarism

and Civilization 151

Manifold modes of Conversion 158

Death of the Venerable Bede , 162

2. The Llfe and Labours of individual Missionaries 173

a. Patrick, Apostle of the Irish 173

b. COLUMBAN * 187

c. Gallus, Apostle of Switzerland 211

d. Boniface, Apostle of the Germans 217

e. Gregory, Abbot of Utrecht 243

/. Sturm, Abbot of Fulda 247

g. Alcuin on tbue Missionary Labours 251

i. Anschar, Apostle of the North 261

/. The Martyr Adalbert in Prussia 272

h. The Monk Nilus... 277

I. Otho of Bamberg, Apostle of the Pomeranians 294

w.Raymond Lull 320

IN

THE MIDDLE AGES.

PART I.

OPERATIONS OF CHRISTIANITY DURING- AND AFTER THE CONFUSION PRODUCED BY THE IRRUPTION OF THE BARBARIANS.