Портрет художника в юности

           Bymeansofejaculationsandprayershestoredupungrudginglyforthesoulsinpurgatorycenturiesofdaysandquarantinesandyears;yetthespiritualtriumphwhichhefeltinachievingwitheasesomanyfabulousagesofcanonicalpenancesdidnotwhollyrewardhiszealofprayer,sincehecouldneverknowhowmuchtemporalpunishmenthehadremittedbywayofsuffragefortheagonizingsouls;andfearfullestinthemidstofthepurgatorialfire,whichdifferedfromtheinfernalonlyinthatitwasnoteverlasting,hispenancemightavailnomorethanadropofmoisture,hedrovehissouldailythroughanincreasingcircleofworksofsupererogation.

           Everypartofhisday,dividedbywhatheregardednowasthedutiesofhisstationinlife,circledaboutitsowncentreofspiritualenergy.Hislifeseemedtohavedrawnneartoeternity;everythought,word,anddeed,everyinstanceofconsciousnesscouldbemadetorevibrateradiantlyinheaven;andattimeshissenseofsuchimmediaterepercussionwassolivelythatheseemedtofeelhissoulindevotionpressinglikefingersthekeyboardofagreatcashregisterandtoseetheamountofhispurchasestartforthimmediatelyinheaven,notasanumberbutasafrailcolumnofincenseorasaslenderflower.