Fr. Jeremias Drexelius - Heliotropium: Conformity of the the Human Will to the Divine

Heliotropium

Conformity of the Human Will to the Divine

Father Jeremias Drexelius

Nihil Obstat: Remigius Lafort, D.D.
Censor

Imprimatur: John Cardinal Farley
Archbishop of New York

Copyright 1912 by the Devin-Adair Company, Old Greenwich, Connecticut.

Library of Congress Catalog Card No.: 84-51597

ISBN: 978-0-89555-245-7

Typography is the property of TAN Books, and may not be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. (This restriction applies only to this type, not to quotations from the book.)

Cover Illus.: Boumard Fils, Paris, 5380.

TAN Books
Charlotte, North Carolina
www.TANBooks.com

2012

EXPLANATION OF THE TITLE OF THIS BOOK

The word "heliotropium" is the Latin name for an ancient plant which had the unique habit of turning to face the sun at all times. The plant's name is derived from two Greek words: helio, meaning "sun," and tropos, meaning "turn." The Roman writer Pliny wrote of this plant, "I have often spoken of the wonderful property of the heliotrope, which turns itself round with the sun, even on a cloudy day, so great is its love of that luminary. But at night it closes its azure flower, as if from missing its rays."

Thus the heliotrope excellently represents the attitude of the faithful soul toward the Will of God, which is represented by the sun. This sun must ever be gazed upon by us with fixed and unshrinking eye, in whatever direction its course may bend; and this one thing must we ever resolve in our mind: "As it pleases God, so does it please me. The Will of God alone is to me the rule of life and death. As it hath pleased the Lord so shall it be done. Blessed be the Name of the Lord." (See pages 75 and 76).

Title-page of the Latin edition, Cologne, 1630

PREFACE

I N offering "The Heliotropium" to the public we are not presenting a new book. It was first published in Latin in 1627. An English translation, the basis of the present edition, appeared in 1862.

The author, Jeremias Drexelius, was the most distinguished ascetical writer of Germany in the seventeenth century. Born at Augsburg, Aug. 15, 1581, he entered the Society of Jesus at the age of seventeen years, became teacher of rhetoric, and afterwards court preacher at Municha position which he held for twenty-three years. He was a valued friend and adviser of the Elector Maximilian I. By the people he was esteemed as a saint. He died April 19, 1638.

The writings of Drexelius, without doubt, excel, in almost every respect, all other contemporary works of the same kind. Their popularity is attested by their wide sale. Of one treatise alone 20,400 copies were disposed of in Munich before the year 1642; while the total sale of his various writings reached the astounding figure of 170,700 copies. There were subsequently many reprints, besides translations into several foreign languages.

A great many, no doubt, will imagine that this book is a difficult one to read, to follow, and to understand, owing to the deep problem of which it treats. Quite the contrary is the case. The language is simple and pleasing, the statements are logically and forcefully placed, and interest is sustained throughout.

The volume is divided into five parts or books. A glance at the following summary will acquaint the reader with their contents:

Book I brings home to us the necessity of seeing God's Will in everything. Understanding this well, we are taught in Book II how to unite our will, which always remains free, to God's Will. The Third Book explains how we receive many benefits by uniting our will to God's. Whatever might hinder this union is clearly pointed out in Book IV. Numerous aids, helping us to attain to this true union with God, are suggested in Book V.

Going carefully over the pages of this book, I found in them a wealth of material suitable for the present day. The one great problem in life, which is not understood as it should be, by the vast majority, is the question of the Divine Will. Of all the mistakes made by men, the failure to recognize God's Will is, undoubtedly, the saddest and greatest. The keynote to happiness and peace of mind is the realization that this Will means everything. Doctrines of all kinds are being preached and taught. Our sympathy is quickly enlisted in the various methods of bringing help to man's troubled mind. But all the while we lose sight of the fact that the Finger of God rules and dominates all things. When this becomes plain, then, and only then, will the heart of man find its long-sought rest.

Before turning the book over to the publishers, I made a thorough trial of its principles and illustrations, in my work in the confessional and in giving counsel, so often sought from the priest. It bore fruit, and I am convinced that such a work should be more widely known. My brother priests, especially, will, I am sure, be glad to know of it. There are many other good works on the same subject, it is true, all teaching the same truth, but not in so simple and convincing a manner. In this work a difficult theological problem has been placed within easy grasp of the ordinary reader.

The contents of this volume will prove a source of true spiritual joy to the reader. The confessor will find it invaluable in his direction of souls. The priest knows how difficult it is for the majority of people to see God's Will in the event of death, sickness, or other calamity. God's Will is the solution to such difficulties when they arisethe only answer to rash, impetuous questioninga sweet and soothing answer! People struggling in the world need to realize this. They are anxious to know it. I feel, therefore, that the zealous priest will welcome "The Heliotropium." These pages will help Religious to see their life of cross and trial in the light of peace and comfort. No one, in fact, can tire of perusing the volume as spiritual reading.

FERDINAND E. BOGNER.

CONTENTS

BOOK I

CONCERNING THE RECOGNITION OF THE DIVINE WILL

"Lord, what wilt Thou have me do?" Acts IX. 6.

THE HELIOTROPIUM

BOOK I

CHAPTER I

A TWOFOLD FOUNDATION IS LAID, AND IT IS SHOWN THAT ALL PUNISHMENTS PROCEED FROM THE HAND OF GOD

I

O F all the doctrine which Christ delivered in so many and such divine discourses this was the sum,that man should absolutely and entirely conform himself to the Divine Will, in particulars as well as in generals. And this our Saviour most fully taught, both by precept and example, and gave Himself as a Pattern for our imitation. In order the more completely to set forth this teaching of our Lord, I propose, according to the custom of Theologians, to lay a twofold foundation. The first,that the entire measure of our spiritual growth lies in the conformity and agreement of the human will with the Divine, so that in proportion as the one is more genuine, the other will be more luxuriant.

Now that a Christian man's entire perfection consists in Love (charity) is sufficiently evident, for the Holy Scriptures are full of testimonies to this. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment." (Matt. XXII, 37.) "And now there remain faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greater of these is charity." (1 Cor. XIII. 13.) "But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection." (