No More Learning

^"
Berti's
Ecclesiasticae Historiae Brevia-
"°
See Henri Martin's "Histoire de
who was in the neglected
^ee L. P. Anquetil's "Histoire de
This is referred to A. D, 842 in Maria-
Britannica," vol.
3IO LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [February 4.
never again united under one head. '" Lothaire, disgusted with the cares and anxieties of his situation, retired from the throne, to a monastery, in 855, having allotted to his eldest son, Louis 11. , the sovereignty of Italy, to his second son Lothaire the territory of Lorraine, with the title of king, and to his youngest son Charles, surnamed the Bald, Provence, Dauphiny, and part ofthekingdomofBurgundy. "3 Thelatterwasthusdistinctivelyregarded as the King of France. During the contest, between Louis le D^bonnaire and his sons, Raban conducted himself with such care and wisdom, that he preserved the confidence and good-will of all parties. Thus was he enabled to assume effectually the office of mediator. "* About the year 834, when Ludovicus had repelled the factious efforts of his sons, Raban wrote a con- solatory epistle to him. "5 At the same time, he wrote a tract on the re- verencewhichchildrenshouldmanifesttowardstheirparents. "*^ Aboutthis period, likewise, he published or circulated his commentaries on the books of Judith and Esther. "7 Rudolf states, that he wrote a book to the Emperor Lewis, against those, who desired to abrogate the oblation, according to St. Benedict's Rule. To him, he sent that epistle, likewise, which was of a con- solatory character, and after a calamity which had befallen him, on the part of his sons and chiefs. In this, he proves by Scriptural testimony, that a false judgment cannot rightly condemn the innocent, and in which he urges theemperortopardontheoffencescommittedagainsthim. Afterwards,by encouragement of the same emperor, he compiled a garland of sentences, selected from the Sacred Scriptures. Thence he proves, that honour towards parents must be observed, and that subjection to the power ordained by God should be a matter of conscience. Then he shows, how every grade in the Church must contend, in reference to the different kinds of vices and of virtues, as proved by Divine authority. This treatise he finished, in forty chapters. "^ RabanwasaparticularfriendofEginhard,AbbotofSelingestad, of St. Bavo, Ghent, and of Blandinius. He appears to have died, about a. d. 839. Raban wrote his epitaph. About this time, also, he composed a commentary, on the Books of Maccabees, which he illustrated by reference to other historical books of the Old Testament, to Josephus, and to the histories of various nations. "^ During this period, too, he wrote commen- tariesontheBooksofWisdomandofEcclesiasticus. "° Thesehededicated toOtgar,"*ArchbishopofMayence. "^ Withthese,hewroteapenitentiary,
nus Scottus' "Chronicon. " See Pertz's
"Monumenta Germani£e Historica," tomus
v. , pp. 55o» 55^'
'"See "Encyclopedia Britannica," vol.
vii,, p. 401. Dublin edition.
"3 See le P. G. Daniel's ** Histoire de
France," tome ii. , pp. 357, 358.
"* See Mre. Louis Moreri's **Le Grand
'2° To the year 827, Sigebert refers the composition of these tooks. It seems likely he was not abbot, at the time he composed them; as, in the Nuncupatory Epistle to the Book ofWisdom, he calls himself sim- ply, HRabanus, and in that to the Book of Ecclesiasticus, he calls himself, HRabanus peccator.
Dictionnaire 3.
Historique," &c,,
tome
ix. , p.
"' Before the
year 850,
the Book of
"S In the year 1704, this had not been published, accordint^ to Mabillon.
"^
Stephanas Baluzius has published this treatise.
"7 See Mabillon's "Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus ii,, lib. xxxi. , sec. xxi,,
p. 564.
"•^
See Rudolf's, or the First Life, as published by the Bollandists. "Acta Sane- torum," tomus i. , Februarii iv. , p. 522.
"9 See " Histoire Literaire de la France," tome V. Neuvieme Siecle, p. 165.
toire Literaire de la France," &c. , tome v.
Neuvieme Siecle, p. 162.
'-^
late "honoris causa," and states, he had no
riches, only possessing what was necessary
for poor servants of Christ. Towards the end of his preface, Raban declares, he had
in preparation an Exposition of the Book of Ecclesiasticus, which he desired for dedica- tion to the same Archbishop Otgar, that he might exhibit some solicitude, in the illus- tration of the Divine Scriptures. See
Wisdom is addressed to him. See
**
His-
The first commentary he offers the pre-
February 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 311
inlikemanner,dedicatedtohim. "3 AlthoughBellator,apriest,composed eight books on the Book of Wisdom, yet, Raban seems to have been unac- quainted with this fact, since, he observes, before that time he found no ex- positiononthewholeBookofWisdom. "* Forabouttwentyyears,Raban exercised the office of abbot, over that establishment his zeal and labours had made so celebrated. To achieve still greater purposes, he resolved to seek a place for retirement. Murmurs began to prevail among the monks, who complained, it has been reported by some moderns,"s that Raban neglected the temporahties of their monastery, and that studies engrossed too much of his time. Happily for posterity, his thoughts and turn of mind had been thus directed to solitude ; for, his valuable and learned works
remain,asapreciousinheritancetotheChurch. TheAbbeyofFuldaand
itstemporalitieshavelongsincedisappeared. "^ Itisthewellknownvictory of mind over matter. In 1782, Benedict XIV. , preserving its regular state fortheAbbeyofFulda,elevatedittotherankofabishopricexempt. At
last, the abbey was secularized, a. d. 1803. "7 Deeming it a matter of chiefest importance to study and meditate on the Divine Word, Raban applied him- self with zeal and fervour to this great duty. He loved not honours nor
dignities, so he willingly resigned his office, for a state of life, more congenial to his pursuits. Hatto"^ took charge of the Abbacy of Fulda, when Raban retired from it. He chose Mount St. Peter for his place of retirement, and there beside the monastery, he had already built a church, at the eastern side. "9 Asfromearlyyouth,hehadbeendevoted,especiallytothestudy of Sacred Scripture, and to holy meditation ; now, little occurred to distract his attention, from a purpose, to which he had been urged, by the monks and by other friends. He resolved to finish commentaries on the Old and New Testament, as likewise to write other works, which he deemed must redound to the greater honour of God, and to the good of his neighbour. '3o
While here, he engaged on the composition of many important works. When the Emperor Louis I. was living, he commenced the exposition on
Jeremias,andanotheronEzechiel;^3i bothwereundertaken,attherequest of the Emperor Lothaire, who wrote two letters. In one of these, '3^ Raban is urged to treat on the secrets of nature ; in the other,^33he is recommended to comment on the Sacred Scripture. About a. d. 844, he composed his work, " De Universo," which he dedicated to Almoin, Bishop of Hal- berdstat. ^34
Mabillon's
"
Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti,"
lished at Antwerp, a. d, 1612.
tomus lib. ii. ,
"9 Mabillon
It is supposed, that the latter, likewise, may be identical with a
sec.
"3 In the fifteenth chapter, he mentions
the battle of Fontenay. See ibid,, lib. xxxiii. , sec. xix. , p. 656.
"4 See ibid. , lib. xxxii. , sec. xvii. , pp. 610, 611.
"S The authors of * ' Histoire Literaire de la France," very justly assert, that ancient writers report no such neglect, tome v. Neuvieme Siecle, p. 153, n. i.
xxx. ,
v. , p. 510.
"<^See "Gazetteer of the World," vol. vi. , p. 487.
"7 See I'Abbe Migne's " Dictionnaire des AbbayesetMonasteres,"col. 315.
thecommentaryonEzechiel. Init,allusion "^ He ruled it for fifteen years, and he is made to Raban's love of solitude, and to
died on the day before the April Ides, a. d.
861, according to the Chronicle of Marianus
Scottus. Brower has his death at a. d. 856.
the spot chosen for his retirement.
'34 ii^ the preface to ihis work, he com-
plains, that not only the Pagans, but even the Christians, caused great trouble to the
bishop, owing to their depravity and inso-
"
lib. iv. , p. 279. This latter work was pub-
See
Fuldensium Antiquitatum," libri iiii. ,
*'
— duodecim fere a mo-
says,
nasterio stadiis. " "Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xxxiii. , sec. xix. ,
p. 656.
'3° See " Histoire Literairedela France,"
tome v. , p. 153.
'3i " Ab—eo loco, ubi Sanctus Gregorius
Mabillon's "Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xxxiii. , sect.
xix. , p. 656.
^3^ The letter itself has not been re-
covered.
'33 This letter is to be found, prefixed to
desierat. "
312 LIVES 01 THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 4.
bishop,''3S celebrated in Raban's verses. In it, he alludes to the uncivilized character of the people. '36 Then, too, Rudolf tells us, Raban wrote the commentaries on St. Paul's Epistles, collected in thirty books, chiefly taken fromtheworksoftheHolyFathers. Acertaindeacon,Lupus,'37encouraged him to undertake this labour. To the same period must be referred an
epistle or treatise on the Chorepiscopi, addressed to Drogo, Bishop of Metz,'38 and another epistle, directed to Regimbold, Chorepiscopus of Mayence, on certainpenitentialquestions. '39 FromMountSt. Peterhewasdrawn,inthe time of Lewis II. ,'4° Emperor of Germany, to assume the episcopal charge of Mainz or Mayence, a city at the confluence of the Rivers Rhine and Main. This election and consecration took place, about a. d. 846,^41 or 847. '42 The Benedictine authors of the French History of Literature state, that it occurred during the latter year, and on the 24th of June, the feast of St. John the Baptist. '''*3 His consecration took place in the cathedral, and in presence of Louis, King of Germany. '^4 During the year of his appoint- mentasarchbishopoverMayence,St. Rabanheldacouncil. Thisassembly
wasinsession,aboutthebeginningofthemonthofOctober,a. d. 847. ^45 it
isknownastheCouncilofMoguntinumorMayence. Initwerediscussed
various matters, relating to discipline, while some decrees were passed in reference to usurpers of ecclesiastical property. '^6 This Council of Mayence was convoked with the advice and sanction of King Lewis, and it was held at the Abbey of St. Alban. '^? Several bishops and abbots were assisting. About this time, a certain false German prophetess, named Thiota or Thierda, came to Mayence. Among other pretended revelations to her, and which were secrets known only to God, she publicly proclaimed the Day of General Judgment should take place, during that very year.
Strange as it may seem, not alone many of the laity, flocking to hear, and regarding her as a great saint, offered presents to secure her prayers ; but, what is still more extra- ord. nary, some men in holy orders did not hesitate to regard her as one inspired by heaven. Raban and the other bishops summoned her before the council, where, after a close examination, she admitted adopting the role of an impostor for the sake of gain. She retired in disgrace and confounded, while her false predictions ceased any longer to engage the interest or fears of the people. ''^'^ Although Raban was infirm and of a very delicate constitu-
lence, so as even frequently to interrupt the prayers and studies of their pastor. This work treats about God, the Holy Trinity,
569.
'*' According to Marianus Scottus, Otgar,
Archbishop of Mayence, died this year,
when Raban, it is stated, succeeded i^or a See liistoire Literaire de la France," term of nine years. See "Chronicon. "
the anyels, man, and all other creatures. "
tome V. Neuvieme Siecle, pp. 155, 156. '^5 He is called " Pra;ciarus Episcopus ;" but, the former term does not seem to be a
proper name, in the opinion of Brower. *^"F:st rudis hie populus, est durus,
quern regis ipse. "
*37 An account of this Lupus and of his
I'ertz's
"
Monumenta Germaniae Hislorica,"
See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's Lives of the Saints," vol. ii. , February iv. , p. 92. '« See " Histoire Literaire de la France,"
tome v. Neuvieme Siecle, p. 153.
'-t* See Mre. Louis Moreri's *' Grand Die- tionnaire Hislorique," &c. , tome ix. , p. 3.
Paris edition, 1759, fol.
'ts See Trithemms' Vita B. Rabani Archi-
sec.
of History. " Chronological List of Councils, p. 228.
'° His term of rule lasted from A. D. 840
to 876. See "Annales Francorum Ful- tionnaire Historique," &c. , tome ix. , p. 3. denses," Du Chesne's "Historic Fran- "»8 See Trithemius, Vita B. Rabani, lib. corum Scriptores," tomus ii. , pp. 547, 568, iii. , cap. i. , sec. 2, p. 535.
" raire de la France," tome v.
writings vviil be found in
Histoire Lite- Neuvieme
Siecle, pp. 255 to 272.
'38 To this Rudolf alludes.
'39 See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xxxiii. , sec. xix. , p. 656.
lib.
*^'' See Sir Harris Nicolas' "Chronology
tomns v. , p. 551.
"»^ "
episcopi,
iii. , cap. i. ,
2, p. 534.
'^7 See Mre. Louis Moreri's "Grand Dic-
February 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 313
tion, he neither eat flesh-meat, nor drank wine, even while he was a bishop. ^*9 Nor would he indulge in any custom, calculated to enervate the mind, while
ministering to bodily comfort. The bath he rejected, as a luxury of this nature ; and, always did he bear in mind St. Paul's advice, in reference to the pastoral office. 'so He made it, not alone the subject of frequent medi- tation ; but, even, it became the exact rule for his conduct, since he was irre- prehensible, becanse he omitted no single duty of God's true minister. Not alone did he relax no rigour of monastic life, but, he added to the severity he was fond of practising towards himself. He knew, that as a true pastor, and as a fervent lover of Christ, the flock now committed to his charge must be governed with the greatest care. Not only by word and example, he fed them in a spiritual sense, but his charity provided for their temporal wants. ^si In 848, another council was convoked, on the subject of those errors, attri- buted to Gothescalc. Raban is said to have entered with an excess of zeal on this matter, which before death he deemed it well to abandon. ^53 Gothescalc was a priest, who maintained various heteredox opinions, especially regarding the doctrine of predestination. He taught, in a very pernicious, and, it was believed, in a very un-Catholic, sense, that the good are inevitably predestined to eternal life by God, while the bad were inevitably predestined to eternal death. The controversies, which arose at this period, a. d. 847, engaged the most celebrated writers of the age in France and Germany. Among the rest, Joannes Scotus took part against Godescalc. '53 Raban, by forcible reasoning and by the evidence of the Sacred Scriptures, refuted this teaching. '54 In presence of the bishops, abbots and others there assembled, Gothescalc retracted his errors. 'ss By decree of the synod, he was sent to Archbishop Hincmar of Rheims, to whom Raban wrote a synodical epistle, '^6 after having exacted an oath from Gothescalc,'S7 not to return afterwards into the kingdom of Louis, in Ger- many. 'ss These errors of Gotescalc are said to have been chiefly respecting the doctrine of predestination. '59 He died in prison, a. d. 868, and Hincmar refused him the sacraments and the rites of sepulture, as being an obstinate heretic. '^ WhilepresidingoverMayence,Rabanbuiltseveralnewchurches, while he repaired many that were old and ruinous. '^'' Among other erec- tions, the holy bishop is said to have re-established the Monastery of Klingen-
in the diocese of '^^ His labours were in no manner munster, Spire. literary
interrupted. '^3 a terrible famine, prevailed through the whole Rhenish
^49 See Mre. Louis Moreri's "Le Grand Dictionnaire Historique," &c. , tome ix. , p. 3.
'S° See i. Tim. , iii.
^5^ See Trithemius, Vita B. Rabani Mauri,
heretic, A. D. 163 1, in 4to. It is to be found
lib. iii. , cap. i. , sec. i. , p. 534. "
tise," published at Paiis, a. d. 1650, in two 4to volumes. See the article Gotescalc in I'Abbe F. X. De Feller's "Dictionnaire Historique," &c. , tome iv,, pp. 355, 356. Paris edition, i8i8.
^ss See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Feb-
ruarii iv. Secunda Vita B. Rabani, Archi-
episcopi, lib. iii. , cap, i. , sec. 3, p. 535.
"59 See Mre. Louis Moreri's " Le Grand
Dictionnaire Historique," &c. , tome ix,, p.
3.
^52 See Histoire Literaire de la France,"
tome V. Neuvieme Siecle, pp. 153, 154. '33 See ibid. , tome vi. Neuvieme Siecle,
sec. Ixvii. , p. 263.
'54 Sigebert's Chronicle, at the year 849,
states, that although Gothescalc was con- victed, still he persevered in his error.
'55 Trithemius appears to refer this inci-
'^° See I'Abbe F. X. De Feller's " Die-
dent, to the first council, held at Mayence, tionnaire Historique," &c. , tome iv. , p.
by Raban.
'5^ In it he remarks, that Godescalc was
incorrigible, and that he should be impri- soned, nor suffered any longer to teach his
errors, nor to seduce the people.
'57 The first Latin book printed in Dublin
is said to have been Ussher's history of this
356.
'^' See the Bollandists* "Acta Sancto-
rum," tomus i. , Februarii iv,, p. 543.
'^^ See M, le Dr. Hoefer's " Nouvelle
Biographic Generale," &c. , tome xli. , col.
377.
'^^ See R. P. Christophoro Brovvero auc-
in the
"
Vindici* Praedestinationis et Gra-
314 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 4.
province in 850,^^^ and this gave occasion to the great Archbishop of Mayence to manifest his charity towards the poor. Besides, the number to whom he distributed relief in person, he fed three hundred famished persons each day. '^s During this time, he chiefly Hved at Wunckel,'^'' and while here, a woman, having an infant in her arms, came with other famished persons. She belonged to the town or village of Crucinac, in the Lower Palatinate. When the poor mother had just crossed the bishop's threshold, she fell into a swoon, through perfect exhaustion, and life departed. Even then, the infant continued sucking the mother's breast, while tears flowed abundantly from the beholders. When the bishop heard of this sad circum- stance, he also burst into tears. '^7 Again, Blessed Raban was indefatigable in making visitations through the country, and in preaching God's Word to his people. '^^ Two years, afterwards, a. d. 852, he presided at another council, held in his cathedral city, at the instance of King Louis. '^9 There the abbots of Eastern France, of Saxony, of the Rhine, of the Moselle, and of Bavaria, were assembled. Certain useful ecclesiastical questions were discussed. Louis confirmed the decrees, by royal authority ;'7o yet, the acts of this council have not been discovered. '7^ In the following year 853,^72 Raban assisted at another council, held at Frankfort. There he took under cognizance a great difference, which occurred between the bishopofOsnabruckandthenunsofHerford. '73 AccordingtoMabillon's
computation, Raban ruled over Mayence, as its archbishop, for a term of nine years, one month and four days. '74 This differs, however, from that of the Benedictine writers of the Literary History of France, who state, that he governed this church, eight years, seven months and some days. '75 Trithe- mius says,'76 Raban wrote, De Benedictionibus Patriarcharum, lib. i. ; De Divinis Ofhciis, lib. viii. ; De Computo Ecclesiastico, hb. ii. ; and Praepara- menta Septem Artium Liberalium, in several books. He composed, four books of epigrams, three books on metrical composition, while he wrote several books and epistles, to Lewis, King of Germany, about various matters referred to him. Besides, he compiled and delivered sermons and homilies, almost innumerable.