Irish Jesuit Province

OmniscienceAuthor(s): John CunninghamSource: The Irish Monthly, Vol. 41, No. 478 (Apr., 1913), pp. 182-184Published by: Irish Jesuit ProvinceStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/20503372 .

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I 8a - - tTHE IR1SH MONTHLY

of Dublin), to make that renunciation public,, but he deemed it unne

cessary. - I am not sorry to have this opportunity of doing so. Freemasonry in Ireland may be said to have (apart from its oaths}y

no evil tendency, save, as far as it may counteract, in some degree, the exertions of? those most laudable and useful institutions, institutions deserving of every encouragement-the temperance societies.

But the great, the important objection, is this-the profane taking in vain the awful name- of the : Deity---in the wanton, and multiplied taking of oaths-of oaths administered on the Book of God, dither in

mockery or derision, or with a solemnity which renders the taking of them, without any) adequate motive, only the more criminal. This -objection which perhaps- I do not state strongly enough, is alone sufficient to prevent any seriouis Christian from belonging to that body.

- My namne having been dragged before the public on this subject, it is, I think, my duty to prevent any person supposing that he was following

my example in taking oaths which I now certainly would not take, and

consequently becoming a Freemason, which, I certainly would not now do.

I have the honour to be, your faithful. servant,

DANIEL O'CONNELL.

J. J. L. RATTON.

(To -be concluded.)

OMNISCIENCE

The eyes 'of the Lord are far brighter than the sun, beholding round

about all the ways of men, and the bottom of the deep, and looking into the hearts of- men, into the most hidden part.-Ecclesiasticus xxiii. 28.

THERE is an eye that, evervwhere, All, evermore; surveys:

Unseen, yet, ever on us fixed, Beholding all our ways.

Through traffic's crowded way, alert, - That Eye observes us press:

It marks us, from the unheeding throng Emerge, companionless.

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OMNISCIENCE I8

The while, where still some exile spceds, It views the distant scene,

Though half the convex world obtrudes Its curvature between.

The ship that, o'er the utmost verge Of ocean, slants her wing,

Bears him not downward unobserved That glance still following.

Where either pole untrodden lies In solitude profound,

That Eye observes them, turning slow, In icy fetters bound.

It rests where Arctic wanderers pale Their chill horizon scan;

Where o'er Sahara's burning plain Toils the slow caravan.

Hell 'neath Its glance, imprisoned, writhes: Unturned, It marks upwing

Some soul, from earth released, till, round& Her, Heaven's glad anthems ring.

's"Tis night, and, in my chamber hid, Detection I'll evade."

Night cannot cover my retreat, Nor walls my trespass shade.

Though darkness compasseth me rounds, That Eye observes me still;

Darkness and light alike to Him, Who made them both at will.

The unlighted depths of ocean lie Transparent to His glance:

The very marrow of the soul It pierceth like a lance.

Before creation by His hand Was visibly outlined,

Its ti-niest form, its vastest orb, Lay im?ged in His mind.

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184 THE IRISH MONTHLY

No studied grace their charms enhanced, No incompleteness marred:

He spoke, and on their instant birth Looked down with pleased regard.

What if perpetual change prevail ? 'Tis by His ordinance.

What of the soul's successive moods ?j They alter 'neath His glance,

Wno sees the things He made, As He, of old, their forms designed

The mist that gathers on the hills The veil that shrouds the mind.

Then let me ever in His sight Content and faithful be,

Until I know as I am known, As I am seen shall see.

Now but of earthly mould shall be Of form akin to His,

When I-nor with another's eyes Shall see Him as He is.

Oh ! how, transfigured, I shall shine; In Knowledge how excel;

When God shall make His glory mine, His light accessible.

REV. JOHN CUNNIN GHAM.

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