Портрет художника в юності
Chapter 4
Bymeansofejaculationsandprayershestoredupungrudginglyforthesoulsinpurgatorycenturiesofdaysandquarantinesandyears;yetthespiritualtriumphwhichhefeltinachievingwitheasesomanyfabulousagesofcanonicalpenancesdidnotwhollyrewardhiszealofprayer,sincehecouldneverknowhowmuchtemporalpunishmenthehadremittedbywayofsuffragefortheagonizingsouls;andfearfullestinthemidstofthepurgatorialfire,whichdifferedfromtheinfernalonlyinthatitwasnoteverlasting,hispenancemightavailnomorethanadropofmoisture,hedrovehissouldailythroughanincreasingcircleofworksofsupererogation.
Everypartofhisday,dividedbywhatheregardednowasthedutiesofhisstationinlife,circledaboutitsowncentreofspiritualenergy.Hislifeseemedtohavedrawnneartoeternity;everythought,word,anddeed,everyinstanceofconsciousnesscouldbemadetorevibrateradiantlyinheaven;andattimeshissenseofsuchimmediaterepercussionwassolivelythatheseemedtofeelhissoulindevotionpressinglikefingersthekeyboardofagreatcashregisterandtoseetheamountofhispurchasestartforthimmediatelyinheaven,notasanumberbutasafrailcolumnofincenseorasaslenderflower.
