Портрет художника в юности

           Deathandjudgement,broughtintotheworldbythesinofourfirstparents,arethedarkportalsthatcloseourearthlyexistence,theportalsthatopenintotheunknownandtheunseen,portalsthroughwhicheverysoulmustpass,alone,unaidedsavebyitsgoodworks,withoutfriendorbrotherorparentormastertohelpit,aloneandtrembling.Letthatthoughtbeeverbeforeourmindsandthenwecannotsin.Death,acauseofterrortothesinner,isablessedmomentforhimwhohaswalkedintherightpath,fulfillingthedutiesofhisstationinlife,attendingtohismorningandeveningprayers,approachingtheholysacramentfrequentlyandperforminggoodandmercifulworks.Forthepiousandbelievingcatholic,forthejustman,deathisnocauseofterror.WasitnotAddison,thegreatEnglishwriter,who,whenonhisdeathbed,sentforthewickedyoungearlofWarwicktolethimseehowachristiancanmeethisend?Heitisandhealone,thepiousandbelievingchristian,whocansayinhisheart:

           Ograve,whereisthyvictory?

           Odeath,whereisthysting?

           Everywordofitwasforhim.Againsthissin,foulandsecret,thewholewrathofGodwasaimed.Thepreacher’sknifehadprobeddeeplyintohisdisclosedconscienceandhefeltnowthathissoulwasfesteringinsin.Yes,thepreacherwasright.God’sturnhadcome.Likeabeastinitslairhissoulhadlaindowninitsownfilthbuttheblastsoftheangel’strumpethaddrivenhimforthfromthedarknessofsinintothelight.