St Ignatius College - Ignatian Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

Page 8 text:

. mhithrrmarh HERE exists in man a principle, free and spiritual, radically distinct from his mate- 93 Yam . . d. .1 f t d M r1al being. Thus we or mari y re er o an NIQZ speak of man as having two natures, his material or, as some prefer, animal nature G! ' and his spiritual nature. It is true that exception may be taken to this last statement by those who stand always for exactnessg as precision would require that we state that man has one composite nature with two phases, material and spiritual. Yet in treating of man's life, tendencies and the end which he seeks to attain, it is per- missible to allow convenience to overrule exactness in order to secure clarity and brevity, without the necessity of a particular statement and explanation of the phases of man's nature at each reference to the side or part being discussed. Therefore we will take advantage of the expressions com- monly used and readily recognized by all those who have, as well as those who have not, given time to the study of the science of real being. We propose, then, to deal with man and his two natures, material and spiritual, and as to whitherward each of them impels him. By the spiritual nature we mean not only that which verifies the body but the principle in man which is at once free, spiritual and immortal as well. To satisfy the material nature, ease, comfort and health are sought and cherished. The means of attaining them can be easily seen, understood and efforts made for their acquisition. Each individual requires different things for the satisfaction ofnhis material cravings, activity is essen- tially necessary to one, whereas rest and ease are the de- mands of another. Strict regard for and observance of the natural law are essential as the first step in the attainment

Page 7 text:

Elgnaiian Vol. 11. i DECEMBER 1911 No.1 Ewa Avtnrna LL silent lay the wintry world, Its cheeks bedimrned by sadnessg Black night enshrouded heaven's vault Concealing all its gladness. The speechless earth is ringing: Angelic voices sweetly toned But lo! a star o'er Beth'1em's hills: These joyous strains are singing: Glory be to God on high, -- And peace on earth to mortalsg Rejoice! for open wide are Hung The long closed heavenly portals. Rejoice! for He, Eternal Light, Descends to manger lowly To dry the tears, dispel the gloom That crushes hearts unholy. Robert L. C hambers.

Page 9 text:

WHITHERWARD 7 of that which will satisfy the material man, for disregard for or breaking these laws is violence and violence is always antagonistic to comfort. So keeping these laws, the other things can be sought directly and with a clear understand- ing of the object in view, no uncertainty need interrupt the course pursued, for the end to be reached is understood, the way is open and right effort will accomplish and obtain what is sought. That many may fail and do fail in obtain- ing satisfaction of their material desires is the result of mis- directed effort, not of the interference of insurmountable obstacles. The failure of many to satisfy their material nature does not prove that the possibility of so doing is not within man's knowledge, grasp and power. Dealing with man's spiritual nature, we find a desire for something far above and beyond the desires and require- ments of the material being. When Saint Augustine's com- panion and follower, Paulinus, journeyed into Northumbria impelled by zeal for the conversion of King Edwin and his subjects, he was rebuffed. King, nobles and people feared the stranger with his reputed magicg and fear made them loath to place themselves in his power. They had heard rumors of this unusual man, going from place to place preaching a new religion which would substitute a new God for the old ones and put a stop to the ancient customs of the land, hence added to fear was the ever present aversion to changing from the old to the new. But his propositions seemed so fair and his manner so sure that they hesitated, and, when Paulinus made his formal plea for a hearing, the king called his council to consider the matter. The dis- cussion was longg no decision seemed possible until an aged thane rose to- speak. When, said he, O King, you and your ministers are seated at table in the depth of winter, and the cheerful fire blazes on the hearth in the middle of the hall, a swallow perhaps, chased by wind and snow, enters at one door of the apartment and escapes by the