MEFFRETH.
According to a mediæval legend, an evil spirit once
entered a monastery, passed his novitiate, and became a
full brother. In preaching one Advent to the assembled
friars, he spoke of the terrors of hell, and depicted them
most graphically, being, of course, eminently qualified
for so doing. His discourse produced a profound sensation
among his audience, their blood curdled with
horror, and some of the weaker brethren fainted away.
When the true character of the friar was discovered,
the Superior expressed to him surprise at his want of
judgment in preaching a powerful sermon, calculated to
terrify the hearers from ever venturing on the road
which leads to the place described by the preacher
with such fidelity: but the devil replied with a hideous
sneer, “Think you that my discourse would prevent a
single soul from seeking eternal damnation? Not so;
the most finished eloquence and the profoundest learning
are worthless beside one drop of unction,—there was no unction in my sermon.”
