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only of this world 3<55
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But no one came. The whole throng quivered
with anguish at not being able to testify in favor of
the beloved image. Yet no one did it.
" My poor children," said Father Gondo, deeply
grieved. " You have had Antichrist among you and
he has gained the power over you. You have
forgotten heaven, you have forgotten that you possess
a soul. You are thinking of this world.
" Formerly it was said that the people of Diamante
were the most pious in Sicily. But now it must be
otherwise. The inhabitants of Diamante are world
thralls. Perhaps they are faithless socialists even,
loving this world only. They cannot be anything
else, for have they not had Antichrist among
them?"
On being thus accused, it seemed as though the
people would at last offer resistance. An angry
murmur passed through the ranks.
"The image is holy," cried one. "When he
came San Pasquale’s bells rang a whole day."
" Could it ring less to warn against such a
calamity ? " replied the monk.
He continued his charges with increasing violence.
" You are idol-worshipers, not Christians. You
serve this one because he helps you. But the holy
spirit is not in you."
" It has been kind and merciful as Christ,"
answered the people.
"And just that has been the greatest evil," said
the monk, and now, all at once, he became awful
in his wrath. " It has assumed the form of Christ
in order to lead you astray. And thus it has caught
you in its net. By heaping gifts and blessings upon
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