Professional Documents
Culture Documents
By
SAlIIUEL M. ZWEMER. D.D.. F. R. G. S.
AlITHOlt Oll'
.
(r w)
\.~ __ r .
Copyright. 19')3,
by PAGE
rUNK & WAG NALLS COMPANY INTllODUCTION BY ROBERT E, SPEltll ill:
PREPACK, . xxi
keglltered at Stationers' Hall. London, England
CHAPTER
[Pri1Ct#d in flu U,u'tea States of A ",",caJ
I. Europe and the Saracens in the Thirteenth
Publilhed NovemberJ 1903
Century, 1
BIBLIOGRAPHY;
A. Books written by Raymund Lull, 157
E. Books about Raymund Lull, 169
v
List of Illustrations
aration, their -visions, their untmng toil, for contact with men so that he might
their passion lor Christ, their sufferings reach them in the deepest intimacies of
and shipwrecks, their intellectual activity their life, and be able thus to plant the
and power, their martyrdoms, the rule of seed of the divine life which he bore.
Christ supreme tllUs in death, supreme Therefore he learned Arabic, became a
also in life, its tbought, its purpose, its master of the Moslem philosophy, studied
taste, its use, its friends, its sacrifice. But geography and the heart of man. And,
the essence of all such comparison-the therefore, he became also a student of com-
real essence of all true missionary char- parative religion, as we would call him to-
acter-is the possession by the life of day. There was a great difference between
Christ as life, ~nd the ability thus to give, his view, however, and that of a large
not a new doctrin~ only, not a new truth school of modern students of comparative
to men, but a new life. The work of mis- religion. Lull had no idea that Christian-
sions is just this: the going out from the ity was not a complete and sufficient re-
Church over the world of a body of men ligion. He did not study other religions
and women knowing Christ, and, therefore, with the purpose of providing from them
having life in themselves; their quiet resi- ideals which Christianity was supposed to
dence among the dead peoples; and the lack. Nor did he propose to reduce out of
resurrection hom among these peoples of all religions a common fund of general prin-
first one, then a few, then more and more, ciples more or less to be found in all and
who feel the life and receive it and live. regard these as the ultimate religion. He
Lull sought in every way to fit himself studied other religions to find out how bet-
xvi xvii
1ntrot>uctton Introt>uction
ter to reach the hearts of their adherents will fall short of its full purpose if they are
with the Gospel, itself perfect and com- not led to desire to make amends for the
plete, lacking nothing, needing nothing neglect of the centuries. It is six centuries
from any other doctrine. With him there since Lull fell at Bugia. Is that martyr-
was a difference between Christianity and dom never to have its fruitage? Shall we
other religions, not in degree only, but in not now at last wake from the sleep of the
kind. It possesses what they lack, which generations and give the Savior His place
is desirable. It lacks what they possess, above the Prophet, and the crescent its
which is unworthy. It alone satisfies. It place beneath the cross?
alone is life. They are systems of society ROBERT E. SPEER.
or politics, religions of books, methods,
organizations. It and it alone is life,
eternal life. Lull studied other religions,
not to discover what they have to give to
Christianity, for they have nothing, but to
find how he might give to those who follow
them the true life, which is life, and which
no man shall ever find until he finds it in
Christ.
Blessed as the influence of Lull should
be upon the Christian life and experience
of all who feel it in reading this sketch, it
xviii xix
PREFACE
To the Reader
THE subject of this biography is ac-
"1ll1lbo faultetb not, lIuetb not: wbo men~etb
faults Is commen1le1l: Ube lPrinter batb faulte~ a knowledged by all writers on the history of
ltttle: It mall be tbe autbor o"er..slgbteb mOre. Ub12 missions to be the one connecting link be-
paine (~eaber) Is tbe least; tben ette not tbou most tween the apostles of Northern Europe and
bl! misconstruing or sbarpe censuring; least tbou
the leaders who followed the Reformation.
be more oncbarltable, tben eltber of tbem batb been
beeblesse: Gob amenb anb gulbe "s aU," Eugene Stock, the editorial secretary of the
-W,obartes on 'fythes, CmIb. 1613. Church Missionary Society, declares" there
is no more heroic figure in the history of
Christendom than that of Raymund Lull,
the first and perhaps the greatest mission-
ary to Mohammedans."
No complete biography of Lull exists in
the English language; and since the twen-
tieth century is to be preeminently a cen-
tury of missions to Moslems, we should
xx xxi
~refltce
7
.:lBtograpb)] of lRa)]munt! $u11 l6ufope ant! tbe Saracens
means lacking elements of native vigor angelic purity and signs of gross sensuality,
ready to burst forth. But the courage that It was an age of self-denying charity to suf-
is born of knowledge, the calm strength be- fering Christians, and of barbarous cruelty
gotten by a positive attitude of mind, face to infidels, Jews, and heretics. The wealthy
to face with the dominant overshadowing paid immense sums to redeem Christian
sphinx of theology, were lacking. We slaves captured by the Saracens; and the
may fairly say that natural and untaught Church took immense sums to persecute
people had more of the just intuition that those who erred from the faith. When the
was needed than learned folk trained in Crusaders under Godfrey of Bouillon (who
the schools. Man and the actual universe refused to wear a crown of gold where his
kept on reasserting their rights and claims Savior had worn a crown of thorns) came
in one way or another; but they were al- in sight of Jerusalem, they kissed the earth
ways being thrust back again into Cim- and advanced on their knees in penitential
merian regions of abstractions, fictions, prayer; but after the capture of the city
visions, spectral hopes and fears, in the they massacred seventy thousand Moslems,
midst of which the intellect somnambulis- burned the Jews in their synagogs, and
tically moved upon an unknown way." waded in blood to the Holy Sepulcher to
The morality of the Middle Ages pre- offer up thanks I The general state of
sents startling contrasts. Over against each morals even among popes and the clergy
other, and not only in the same land but was low. Gregory VII. and Innocent III.
often in the same individual, we witness were great popes and mighty reformers of
sublime faith and degrading superstition, a corrupt priesthood, but they were excep'
8 9
:stograpbp of 1Rapmuntl 1ull lSurope antl tbe Saracens
tions in the long list. One of the popes venial and mortal. The way to perfection
was deposed on charges of incest, perjury, was through the monastic vows of poverty,
murder, and blasphemy. Many were in celibacy, and obedience.
power through simony. Concubinage and The poetry of the period reflects the
unnatural vices were rife in Rome among same startling contrast between piety and
the clergy. Innocent IV., who became sensuality, composed as it was of the ten-
pope the very year Lull was born, was an derest hymns of devotion and bacchanalian
outrageous tyrant. Nicholas III. and Mar- revels. The seven great hymns of the
tin IV., who were popes toward the close medieval Church have challenged and de-
of the thirteenth century, rivaled each other fied the skill of the best translators and
in infamy. The pontificate of the former imitators. The wonderful pathos of the
was so marked by rapacity and nepotism "Stabat Mater Dolorosa" and the terrible
that he was consigned by Dante to his In- power of "Dies Irce" appear even in their
ferno. The latter was the murderous in- poorest translations. In spite of its objec-
stigator of the terrible" Sicilian Vespers." tionable doctrinal features, what Protestant
Martensen says that" the ethics of this can read Dr. Cole's admirable translation
period often exhibit a mixture of the morals of the" Stabat Mater" without being deeply
of Christianity with those of Aristotle." affected?
And this is natural if we remember that Yet the same age had its "Carmina
Thomas Aquinas represents the height of Burana," written by Goliardi and others,
medieval morals as well as of dogmatics. in which Venus and Bacchus go hand-in-
Sins were divided into carnal and spiritual, hand and the sensual element predominates.
10 II
J13tograpbp of lRapmuntl $u11 lSurope an~ tbe Saracens
" We do not need to be reminded that his hands and side through an imagination
Beatrice's adorer had a wife and children, drunk with the contemplation and love of
or that Laura's poet owned a son and the crucified Redeemer. The author of
daughter by a concubine." Nor were the two most beautiful hymns of the medi-
Dante and Petrarch exceptions among me- eval period went to fanatical extremes in
dieval poets in this respect. It was a dark self-sought torture to atone for his own sins
world. and for the good of others. Peter No-
The thirteenth century was also an age lasco in 1228 saw a vision of the Virgin
of superstition, an age of ghosts and visions Mary, and devoted all his property from
and miracles and fanaticism. The" Flagel- that day to the purchasing of freedom
lants" wandered from city to city calling for Christian captives from their Moorish
on the people to repent. Girded with masters. He founded the order of the
ropes, in scant clothing or entirely naked, Mercedarians, whose members even gave
they scourged themselves in the open themselves into slavery to save a fellow
streets. The sect spread like contagion Christian from becoming an apostate to
from Italy to Poland, propagating extrava- Islam. During the twelfth and thirteenth
gant doctrines and often causing sedition centuries the monastic orders increased in
and murder. Catherine of Sienna and numbers and influence. They formed the
Francis of Assisi in the fervor of their love standing army of the papacy and were gen-
saw visions. The latter bore the st£gmata erally promoters of learning, science, and
and died of the wounds of Christ, which art. The Franciscans were one of the
are said to have impressed themselves on strongest orders, altho one of the latest.
1'J 13
:l3fograpbl1 of 1Ral1munt> 1ull 15urope ant> tbe Saracens
In 1264 this order had eight thousand the abuses of the clergy. The Albigenses
cloisters and two hundred thousand monks. and the Waldenses were in many ways
Some of these monks were saints, some forerunners of Protestantism. Numerous
scientists, and some sensualists; alongside other sects less pure in doctrine and morals
of unmeasured superstition and ignorance arose at this time and spread everywhere
in the mass of the priesthood we meet with from Eastern Spain to Northern Germany.
genius of intellect and wonderful displays All of them were agreed in opposing ecclesi.
of self-forgetting love in the few. astical authority, and often that of the state.
Yet the most sacred solemnities were Such was the political, intellectual, moral,
parodied. On" Fools' Festival," which and religious condition of Europe in the
was held in France on New Year's day, days of Raymund Lull.
mock popes, bishops, and abbots were in- The Mohammedan world was also in a
troduced and all their holy actions mim- state of ferment. The Crusades taught
icked in a blasphemous manner. the Saracen at once the strength and the
Practical mysticism, which concerned weakness of medieval Christianity. The
itself not with philosophy but with per- battle-field of Tolosa, strewed with two
sonal salvation, was common in the thir- hundred thousand slain Moslems, was the
teenth century, especially among the death-knell of Islam in Spain. Saracen
women of the Rhine provinces. St. Hilde- rule and culture at Granada were only the
gard, Mechthild, and Gertrude the Great after-glow of a sunset, glorious but tran·
are striking examples. There were also at- sient. What dominions the Saracens lost
tempts at a reformation of the Church and in the west they regained in Syria and the
14 15
JUograpbp of 'lRapmunb 1ull Europe anb tbe Saracens
East. In 1250 the Mameluke sultans be- through the Arabian schools of Spain. No
gan to reign in Egypt, and under Beybars other country in Europe was in such close
I. Moslem Egypt reached the zenith of its touch with Islam for good and ill as the
fame. Islam was a power in the thirteenth kingdoms of Castile, Navarre, and Aragon
century not so much by its conquests with in the north of what we now call Spain.
the sword as by its conquests with the There the conflict was one of mind as wen
pen. Moslem philosophy, as interpreted as of the sword. There for three centuries
by Alkindi, Alfarabi, Avicenna, and AI- waged a crusade for truth as well as a can·
gazel, but most of all the philosophy of flict on the battle-field between Christian
A verroes, was taught in all the universi- and Moslem. In this conflict Raymund
ties. Aristotle spoke Arabic before he was Lull's ancestors played their part. During
retranslated into the languages of Europe. all the years of Lull's life the Moslem pow-
"The Saracens," says Myers, "were during er held out at Granada against the united
the Middle Ages almost the sole reposi- Spanish kingdoms. Not until 1492 was the
tories of the scientific knowledge of the Saracen expelled from Southern Europe.
world. While the Western nations were Regarding missions in the thirteenth
too ignorant to know the value of the century, little can be said. There were a
treasures of antiquity, the Saracens pre- few choice souls whom the Spirit of God
served them by translating into Arabic the enlightened to see the spiritual needs of
scientific works of the Greeks." Part of this the Saracen and Mongol and to preach to
learning came to Europe through the Cru- them the Gospel. In 1256 William de Ru-
saders, but it came earlier and more largely bruquis was sent by Louis IX., partly as a
16 17
3Bfograpbp of 1Rapmunl:l ~uU
ing to his own confessions, however, the Raymund Lull was gifted with great
theme of his poetical effusions was not mental accomplishments and enthusiasm.
seldom the joys of lawless love. " I see, 0 He had the soul of a poet, but at first
Lord," he says in his Contemplations, " that his genius groveled in the mire of sensual
trees bring forth every year flowers and pleasures, like that of other poets whose
fruit, each after their kind, whence man- passions were not under the control of
kind derive pleasure and profit. But thus religion. We do Lull injustice, however,
it was not with me, sinful man that I am; if we judge his court life by the standards
for thirty years I brought forth no fruit in of our Christian century. His whole en-
this world, I cumbered the ground, nay, was vironment was that of medieval darkness,
noxious and hurtful to my friends and neigh- and he was a gay knight at the banquets of
bors. Therefore, since a mere tree, which James II. before he became a scholastic
has neither intellect nor reason, is more philosopher and a missionary. As knight
fruitful than I have been, I am exceedingly he knew warfare and horsemanship so well
ashamed and count myself worthy of great that among his books there are several
blame."'" In another part of the same book treatises on these sciences,· first written
he returns thanks to God for the great differ- in Catalan, and afterward put into Latin.
ence he sees between the works of his after- Undoubtedly these were written, as was
life and those of his youth. "Then," he says, most of his poetry, before he was thirty
all his" actions were sinful and he enjoyed years old. He was the most popular poet
the pleasures of sinful companionship." of his age in Spain, and his influence on
* "Liber Contemplationis in Deo," ix., 257, ed. 1740. * For a list of these works see Helfferich, p. 74, note.
28 a9
Jl3tograpb12 of 1Ra12munb 1ull Jl3trtbplace anb Earll? 1tfe
Catalonian poetry is acknowledged in such It seems that at about his thirty-second
terms of praise by students of Spanish litera- year he returned to Palma, altho there is
ture that he might be called the founder of little certainty of date among his biogra-
the Catalonian school of poets. The philo- phers. At any rate it was at the place of his
logical importance of Lull's Catalonian birth that Lull was born again. It was in
writings, especially his poems, was shown the Franciscan church, and not at the court
by Adolph Helfferich in his book on " Lull of Aragon, that he received his final call
and the Origin of Catalan Literature." In and made his decision to forsake all and
this volume specimens of his poetry and become a preacher of righteousness. The
proverbs are given. A writer in the" En- prodigal son came to himself amid the
cyclopedia Britannica" speaks of one of his swine, and his feet were already toward
poems, "Lo Desconort" (Despair) as emi- home when he saw his Father, and his
nently fine and composite in its diction. Father ran out to meet him. The story of
This poem, if it was written before his St. Augustine under the fig-tree at Milan
conversion, as is probable, would already was reenacted at Palma.
show that Lull himself was dissatisfied at
heart with his life of worldly pleasure. Al-
ready, perhaps, there arose within him a
mighty struggle between the spirit and the
flesh. Sensual pleasures never satisfy, and
his lower and higher natures strove one
with the other.
3° 31
'ttbe 1I1tston an~ <raU to 5etl'tce
filment of Joel's great prophecy. The
twentieth century, even, dares not mock at
CHAPTER III the supernatural; and materialistic philos-
ophy can not explain the phenomena of
THE VISION AND CALL TO the spirit world. The Christians of the
SERVICE thirteenth century believed in visions and
(A.D. 1266-1267) saw visions. Altho an age of visions is apt
"I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh• . . . and your to be a visionary age, this was not altogether
young men shall see visions. "-.Joel ii. z8. true of the thirteenth century. The visions
WHEN St. Paul told King Agrippa the of Francis of Assisi, of Catherine the Saint,
story of his life, the key of it lay in the of Peter Nolasco, and of others in this age,
words, "I was not disobedient to the had a tremendous effect on their lives and
heavenly vision." The angel had come to influence. We may doubt the vision, but
him and called him straight away from his we can not doubt its result in the lives of
career as arch-persecutor. All that he had those who profess to have seen it. Call it
done or meant to do was now of the past. religious hallucination or pious imagination
He arose from the ground and took up his if you will, but even then it has power.
life again as one who could not be dis- Ruskin says that "such imagination is
obedient to his vision. It was a vision of given us that we may be able to vision
Christ that made Paul a missionary. And forth the ministry of angels beside us and
his was not the last instance of the ful· see the chariots of fire on the mountains
33 that gird us round:' In that age of Mariol.
33
13tograpb~ of 1Ra~mun~ 1u11 ttbe lI'tston an~ <tall to $er"tce
atry and angel-worship and imitation of up the plea of an unrequited lover. But
saints, it was not such a vision that arrested now again, as before, the image of Divine
Lull, but a vision of Jesus Himself. The Love incarnate appeared-the agonized
story, as told in a Life" written with his form of the Man of Sorrows. The dying
consent during his lifetime, is as follows: eyes of the Savior were fixed on him
One evening the seneschal was sitting mournfully, pleadingly:
on a couch, with his cithern on his knees, .. See from His head. His hands. His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingling down:
composing a song in praise of a noble mar- Did ere such love and sorrow meet,
ried lady who had fascinated him but who Or thorns compose so rich a crown?"
was insensible to his passion. Suddenly, Lull cast his lute aside, and threw himself
in the midst of the erotic song, he saw on on his bed, a prey to remorse. He had
his right hand the Savior hanging on His seen the highest and deepest unrequited
cross, the blood trickling from His hands love. But the thought that
and feet and brow, look reproachfully .. Love so amazing, so divine,
at him. Raymund, conscience - struck, Demands my soul. my life, my all."
started up; he could sing no more; he laid had not yet reached him. The effect of
aside his cithern and, deeply moved, retired the vision was so transitory that he was
to bed. Eight days after, he again at- not ready to yield until it again repeated
tempted to finish the song and again took itself." Then Lull could not resist the
"S. Baring-Gould: .. Lives of the Saints." vol. vi., p. 489. ,," Tertia et quarto successivo diebus interpositis aliquibus.
Maclear: "History of Christian Missions in the Middle Salvator. in forma semper qua primitus, apparet." -" Acta
Ag..... pp. 355. 356. Sanctorum .. p. 669.
34 35
Eiograpb)] of 1Ra1?mun~ 1u(( 'ttbe 01910n an~ (tall to Setl'1ce
thought that this was a special message for By way of parenthesis it is necessary to
himself to conquer his lower passions and give another account of Lull's conversion
to devote himself entirely to Christ's servo which the author of " Acta Sanctorum" re-
ice. He felt engraved on his heart, as it lates, and says he deems" improbable but
were, the great spectacle of divine Self· not impossible." According to this story
sacrifice. Henceforth he had only one Lull was one day passing the window of
passion, to love and serve Christ. But the house of Signora Ambrosia, the mar-
there arose the doubt, How can I, defiled ried lady whose love he vainly sought to
with impurity, rise and enter on a holier gain. He caught a glimpse of her ivory
life? Night after night, we are told, he throat and bosom. On the spot he com·
lay awake, a prey to despondency and posed and sang a song to her beauty. The
doubt. He wept like Mary Magdalen, lady sent for him and showed him the
remembering how much and how deeply bosom he so much admired, eaten with
he had sinned. At length the thought oc- hideous cancers! She then besought him
curred: Christ is meek and full of compas- to lead a better life. On his return home
sion; He invites all to come to Him; He Christ appeared to him and said, "Ray-
will not cast me out. With that thought mund, follow Me." He gave up his court
came consolation. Because he was forgiven position, sold all his property, and withdrew
so much he loved the more, and concluded to the retirement of a cell on Mount Roda.
that he would forsake the world and give This was about the year 1266. When he
up all for his Savior. How he was con- had spent nine years in retirement he
firmed in this resolve we shall see shortly. came to the conclusion that he was called
36 37
:IBiograpb}1 of lRa}1munt) 1u11 'ttbe \1)i13ion ant) (tall to $er"ice
of God to preach the Gospel to the Mo- be put side by side with Bunyan's" Grace
hammedans." Abounding" and Augustine's "Confes-
Some biographers know nothing of this sions" as the biography of a penitent soul.
nine years' retirement in a cell at Mount After the visions he came to the conclu-
Roda near Barcelona, altho all of them sion that he could devote his energies to
agree that his conversion took place in no higher work than that of proclaiming
July, 1266. The visions and spiritual con- the Message of the Cross to the Saracens.
flicts and experiences at Mount Roda His thoughts would naturally take this
gained for Lull the title of .. Doctor Illu- direction. The islands of Majorca and
minatus," the scholar enlightened from Minorca had only recently been in the
heaven. And if we look at the life that hands of the Saracens. His father had
was the result of these visions, we can not wielded the sword of the king of Aragon
deny that, in this dark age, heaven did in- against these enemies of the Gospel; why
deed enlighten Lull to know the love of should not the son now take up the sword
God and to do the will of God as no other of the Spirit against them? If the carnal
in his day and generation. weapons of the crusading knights had
Let us go back to the story of his con- failed to conquer Jerusalem, was it not
version as told by Lull himself in that work, time to sound the bugle for a spiritual cru-
"On Divine Contemplation," which may sade for the conversion of the Saracen?
Such were the thoughts that filled his
.. See article by Rev. Edwin 'Wallace, of Oxford Univer-
sity, in the Encyclopedia Britannica, where Mount Roda is
mind. But then, he says, a difficulty arose.
wrongly spelled Randa. How could he, a layman, in an age when
39
the Church and the clergy were supreme,
enter on such a work? Thereupon it oc-
curred to him that at least a beginning
might be made by composing a volume
which should demonstrate the truth of
Christianity and convince the warriors of
the Crescent of their errors. This book,
however, would not be understood by them
unless it were in Arabic, and of this lan-
guage he was ignorant; other difficulties
presented themselves and almost drove
him to despair. Full of such thoughts, he
one day repaired to a neighboring church
and poured forth his whole soul to God,
beseeching Him if He did inspire these
thoughts to enable him to carry them out.*
This was in the month of July. But, al-
59
J3tograpbl? of 1Ral]mun~ 1uU
and to Lull's spiritual experiences, far away
from his friends and family, in some lonely
spot near Palma?
The" Ars Major" was finally completed
in the year 1275. Lull had an interview
with the king of Majorca, and under his
patronage the first book of his new
" Method" was published. Lull also be-
gan to lecture upon it in public. This re-
markable treatise, while in one sense in-
tended for the special work of convincing
Moslems, was to include "a universal art
of acquisition, demonstration, confutation,"
and was meant" to cover the whole field of
knowledge and to supersede the inadequate
methods of previous schoolmen." For the
method of Lull's philosophy we will wait
until we reach the chapter specially de-
voted to an account of his teaching and his
FACSIMILE OF PAGE F]Unl LULL'S LATIN WORKS,
books. A few words, however, regarding
the purpose of the Lullian method are in
place.
60
~reparatt()n for tbe <.tontltct
In the age of scholasticism, when all
sorts of puerile questions were seriously
debated in the schools, and philosophy was
anything but practical, it was Lull who
proposed to use the great weapon of this
age, dialectics, in the service of the Gospel
and for the practical end of converting the
Saracens. Let us admit that he was a
scholastic, but he was also a missionary.
His scholastic philosophy is ennobled by
its fiery zeal for the propagation of the
Gospel, and by the love for Christ which
purifies all its dross in the flame of passion
for souls.
We may smile at Lull's dialectic, and his
"circles and tables for finding out the dif-
ferent ways in which categories apply to
things"; but no one can help admiring
the spirit that inspired the method. "In
his assertion of the place of reason in re-
ligion, in his demand that a ratz"onal Chris-
tianity should be presented to heathendom,
6r
:lBtograpb12 of lRa12munt) 1uU
Lull goes far beyond the ideas and the as-
pirations of the century in which he lived." •
In judging the character of Lull's method
and his long period of preparation, one
thing must not be forgotten. The strength CHAPTER V
of Islam in the age of scholasticism was its
AT MONTPELLIER, PARIS, AND
philosophy. Having thoroughly entered ROME
into the spirit of Arabian philosophical
(A.D. 1275-1298)
writings and seen its errors, there was noth·
"I have but one passion and it is He - He only."-
ing left for a man of Lull's intellect but to Zinzendorf.
meet these Saracen philosophers on their " In his assertion of the function of reason in religion and
his demand that a rational Christianity be placed before Islam,
own ground. A vicenna, Algazel, and this Don Quixote of his times belongs to our day. "-Frederie
A verroes sat on the throne of Moslem Perry Noble.
learning and ruled Moslem thought. Lull's
IT is difficult to follow the story of Lull's
object was to undermine their influence
life in exact chronological order because
and so reach the Moslem heart with the
the sources at our disposal do not always
message of salvation. For such a conflict
agree in their dates. However, by group-
and in such an age his weapons were well
ing the events of his life, order comes out
chosen.
of confusion. Lull's lifework was three-
* " Encyclopedia Britannica," vol. xv., p. 64.
fold; he devised a philosophical or educa-
tional system for persuading non-Christians
of the truth of Christianity; he established
63
l3tograpb)] of 1Ra)]l1tun~ 1u11 at ~ontpellter. ]Darts, an~ '!Rome
missionary colleges; and he himself went The sentence italicized is the subject
and preached to the Moslems, sealing his of this chapter: the story of Lull's effort
witness with martyrdom. The story of his to found missionary schools and to per-
life is best told and best remembered if we suade popes and princes that the true Cru-
follow this due to its many years of loving sade was to be with the pen and not with
service. Lull himself, when he was about the sword. It was a grand idea, and it
sixty years old, reviews his life in these was startlingly novel in the age of Lull. It
words: "I had a wife and children; I was was an idea that, next to his favorite scheme
tolerably rich; I led a secular life. All of philosophy, possessed his whole soul.
these things I cheerfully resigned for the Both ideas were thoroughly missionary and
sake of promoting the common good and they interacted the one on the other.
diffusing abroad the holy faith. I learned No sooner had Lull completed his" Ars
Arabic. I have several times gone abroad Major," and lectured on it in public, than
to preach the Gospel to the Saracens. I he set to work to persuade the king, James
have for the sake of the faith been cast into IL, who had heard of his zeal, to found and
prison and scourged. I have labored forty- endow a monastery in Majorca where
five years to gazlz over the shejJlzerds of the Franciscan monks should be instructed in
church and the princes of Europe to the the Arabic language and trained to be-
common good of Christendom. Now I am come able disputants among the Moslems.
old and poor, but still I am intent on the The king welcomed the idea, and in the
same object. I will persevere in it till year 1276 such a monastery was opened
death, if the Lord permits it." and thirteen monks began to study Lull's
64 6S
:JBfograpbl1 of lRal1mUn~ 1ull Bt tIDontpelUer, ~arfg, an~ lRome
method and imbibe Lull's spirit. He "The end of the geographical feat is the
aimed not at a mere school of theology or beginning of the missionary enterprise."
philosophy: his ideal training for the for- Authorities disagree whether this mis-
eign field was ahead of many theological sionary training-school of Lull was opened
colleges of our century. It included in its under the patronage of the king, at Palma,
curriculum the geography of missions and or at Montpellier. From the fact that in
the language of the Saracens! " Knowl- 1297 Lull received letters at Montpellier
edge of the regions of the world," he wrote, from the general of the Franciscans recom-
"is strongly necessary for the republic of mending him to the superiors of all Fran-
believers and the conversion of unbelievers, ciscan houses, it seems that he must have
and for withstanding infidels and Anti- formed connections with the brotherhood
christ. The man unacquainted with geog- there at an early period.
raphy is not only ignorant where he walks, Montpellier, now a town of considerable
but whither he leads. Whether he at- importance in the south of France near
tempts the conversion of infidels or works the Gulf of Lyons, dates its prosperity from
for other interests of the Church, it is indis- the beginning of the twelfth century. In
pensable that he know the religions and 1204 it became a dependency of the house
the environments of all nations." This is of Aragon through marriage, and remained
high-water mark for the dark ages! The so until 1350. Several Church councils
pioneer for Africa, six centuries before were held there during the thirteenth cen-
Livingstone, felt what the latter expressed tury, and in 1292 Pope Nicholas IV., prob-
more concisely but not more forcibly: ably at the suggestion of Lull, founded a
66 67
13iograpb'g of 1Ra)]mun~ 1ull Bt montpelUer, tlaris, an~ '!Rome
university at Montpellier. Its medical lands in order to testify of Thy holy min-
school was famous in the Middle Ages, and istry, of Thy blessed incarnation, and of
had in its faculty learned Jews who were Thy bitter sufferings, that would be a
educated in the Moorish schools of Spain. glorious day, a day in which that glow of
At Montpellier Lull spent three or four devotion would return with which the holy
years in study and in teaching. Here, apostles met death for their Lord Jesus
most probably, he wrote his medical works, Christ." •
and some of his books appealing for help Lull longed with all his soul for a new
to open other missionary schools. In one Pentecost and for world-wide missions.
place he thus pleads with words of fire for Montpellier was too small to be his parish,
consecration to this cause: "I find scarcely altho he was but a layman. His ambition
anyone, 0 Lord, who out of love to Thee was, in his own words, "to gain over the
is ready to suffer martyrdom as Thou hast shepherds of the Church and the princes of
suffered for us. It appears to me agree- Europe" to become missionary enthusiasts
able to reason, if an ordinance to that effect like himself. Where should he place his
could be obtained, that the monks should fulcrum to exert leverage to this end save
learn various languages that they might be at the very center of Christendom? Popes
able to go out and surrender their lives in had inaugurated and promoted the crusades
love to Thee. . . . 0 Lord of glory, if that of blood; they held the keys of spiritual
blessed day should ever be in which I and temporal power; their command in
might see Thy holy monks so influenced the Middle Ages was as a voice from
by zeal to glorify Thee as to go to foreign * .. Liber Contemplationis in Deo," ex., 28. Tom. I",., 246-
68 69
:lBtograpbl2 of 1Ral2munl) 1uU !it tIOontpellter, /Parts, anl) 'Rome
heaven; their favor was the dew of bless- ments were always thrown in his way. His
ing. Moreover, Lull's success with the plans met with some ridicule and with little
king of Aragon led him to hope that the encouragement. The cardinals cared for
chief shepherd of Christendom might their own ambitions more than for the con-
evince a similar interest in his plans. version of the world.
He therefore undertook a journey to Nicholas IV. succeeded to the papal
Rome in 1286, hoping to obtain from Ho- throne, and his character was such that
norius IV. the approbation of his treatise we do not wonder that Lull gave up the
and aid in founding missionary schools in idea of persuading him to become a mis-
various parts of Europe. Honorius was sionary. He was a man without faith; and
distinguished during his brief pontificate his monstrous disregard of treaties and
for zeal and love of learning. He cleared oaths in the controversy with the king of
the Papal States of bands of robbers, and Aragon, Alphonso, struck at the root of all
attempted, in favor of learning, to found honor.· He believed in fighting the Sara-
a school of Oriental languages at Paris. cens with the sword only, and sought ac-
Had he lived it is possible that Lull would tively but vainly to organize another Cru-
have succeeded in his quest. Honorius sade. Not until ten years after did Lull
died April 3, 1287. again venture to appeal to a pope.
Raymund Lull came to Rome, but found Disappointed at Rome, Lull repaired to
the papal chair vacant and all men busy Paris, and there lectured in the university
with one thing, the election of a successor. on his "Ars Generalis," composing other
He waited for calmer times, but impedi- * Milman: .. History of Latin Christianity," vi.. 175.
1° ]I
JBiograpby of lRa)]munl) 1uU at montpellter. ~aris. anI) 'Rome
works on various sciences, but most of all de Villeneuve. Whether Lull actuallyac-
preparing his works of controversy and quired skill in transmuting metals and
seeking to propagate his ideas of world- wrote some of the many works on alchemy
conquest. In one of his books he prays that are attributed to him, will perhaps
fervently that "monks 0./ Iwly I£ves and never be decided. I rather think this part
great wz"sdom should ./orm z"nstitutz"ons z"n of the story is medieval legend. But surely
order to leant varz"ous languages and to be a man of Lull's affections imbibed a great
able to preach to unbelievers." The times deal of that spirit which brought down on
were not ripe. Arnold of ViIIeneuve the censure of the
At length, tired of seeking aid for his Church for holding that "medicine and
plans in which no one took interest, he charity were more pleasing to God than
determined to test the power of example. religious services." Arnold taught that the
Altho in his fifty-sixth year, he determined monks had corrupted the doctrine of Christ,
to set out alone and single-handed and and that saying masses is useless; and
pteach Christ in North Africa. Of this that the papacy is a work of man. His
fitst missionary voyage our next chapter writings were condemned by the Inquisi-
contains an account. tion, as were also the works of Lull. Per-
On his return from Tunis, 1292, Lull haps these brothers in heresy were really
found his way to Naples. Here a new in- Protestants at heart, and their friendship
fluence was brought to bear on his char- was like that of the friends of God.
acter. He made the acquaintance of the For the next few years the scene of
alchemist and pious nobleman, Arnaud Lull's labors changed continually. He first
72 73
J3iogtapb)2 of lRa)2munl:l 1ull at montpelltet, ~att!, anD 'Rome
went back to Paris, resumed his teaching popes clung to the crusade idea as the ideal
there, and wrote his" Tabula Generalis" of missions.
and "Ars Expositiva." In 1298 he suc- Lull visited Rome the second time be-
ceeded in establishing at Paris, under the tween 1294 and 1296. He had heard of
protection of King Louis Philippe Ie Bel, a the elevation of Celestine V. to the papal
college where his method was taught. But chair, and with some reason hoped that this
all France was in a ferment at this time Pope would favor his cause. Celestine was
because of the war against the Knights- a man of austerity, the founder of an order
Templars and the struggle with Pope Boni- of friars, and zealous for the faith. On the
face VIII. There was little leisure to fifteenth of July, 1294, he was elected, but,
study philosophy and no inclination to be- compelled by the machinations of his suc-
come propagandists among the Saracens. cessor, resigned his office on December
Lull's thoughts again turned to Rome. 13 of the same year. He was cruelly im-
But, alas! Rome in the thirteenth century prisoned by the new Pope, Boniface VIII.,
was the last place of all Europe in which and died two years later. Boniface was
to find the spirit of self-sacrifice or the spirit bold, avaricious, and domineering. His
of Christian missions. About the year ambitions centered in himself. He carried
1274 the cessation of Church miracles was his schemes for self-aggrandizement to the
urged by an upholder of the crusade spirit verge of frenzy, and afterward became in-
as compelling the Church to resort to arms. sane. Lull found neither sympathy nor
Pope Clement IV. (1265-68) advised fight- assistance in this quarter.
ing Islam by force of arms. As a rule, the From 1299 to 1306, when he made his
74 75
:l3tograpbp of '!Rapmun~ 1uU Bt .montpellter, ~arts, an~ '!Rome
second great journey to North Africa, Lull Lull set out for Avignon to lay his scheme
preached and taught in various places, as before the pope, Clement V. He was
we shall see later. the first pope who fixed his residence
In 1310 the veteran hero, now seventy- at Avignon, thus beginning the so-called
five years old, attempted once more to in- "Babylonian Captivity" of the papacy.
fluence the heart of Christendom and to Contemporaneous writers accuse him of
persuade the pope to make the Church licentiousness, nepotism, simony, and av-
true to its great mission. arice. It is no wonder that, with such a
Full of his old ardor, since he himself man holding the keys of authority, Lull
was unable to attempt the great plans of again knocked at the door of "the vicar
spiritual conquest that consumed his very of Christ" all in vain.
heart, he conceived the idea of founding Once more Lull returned to Paris, and,
an order of spiritual knights who should be strong in mind altho feeble in frame, at-
ready to preach to the Saracens and so tacked the Arabian philosophy of Averroes
recover the tomb of Christ by a crusade of and wrote in defense of the faith and the
love.· Pious noblemen and ladies of rank doctrines of revelation.'" At Paris he
at Genoa offered to contribute for this ob- heard that a general conference was to be
ject the sum of thirty thousand guilders.
Much encouraged by this proof of interest, * See the bibliography and consult Renan' s .. Averrhoes et
I'Averrhoisme" for particulars of his method and success.
• Not, as wrongly stated in some articles about Lull, a pro- The Averroists from the thirteenth century onward opposed
posal to use force of arms, Cf. Noble, p. II6, and Madear, reason to faith. Lull's great task was to show that they were
p. 366, with footnote in latter from .. Liber Contemplationis not irreconcilable, but mutually related and in harmony. It
in Deo," exii. 11.
I was, in fact, the battle of faith against agnosticism.
77
JBtograpbl? of lRa}2munl) 1uU St tIDontpeUter, IParts, anl) ~ome
summoned at Vie nne, three hundred miles even as far as saintly Martyn and Ion Keith
away in the south of France, on October Falconer, Arabic professor at Cambridge?
16, 1311. A general council might favor For this great idea of missionary prepara-
what popes had scarcely deigned to notice. tion in the schools Lull fought single-
So he retraced the long journey he had handed from early manhood to old age,
just taken. Nearly three hundred prelates until he stood on the threshold of success.
were present at the council. The combat He anticipated Loyola, Zinzendorf, and
of heresies, the abrogation of the order of Duff in linking schools to missions; and
Templars, proposals for new crusades, and his fire of passion for this object equaled,
discussions as to the legitimacy of Boniface if not surpassed their zeal.
VIII. occupied the most attention. Never-
theless the council gave heed to at least
one of Lull's proposals, and passed a de-
cree that professorships of the Oriental lan-
guages should be endowed in the universi-
ties of Paris, Salamanca, and Oxford, and
in all cities where the papal court resided.
Thus, at last, he had lived to see one
portion of his lifelong pleadings brought
to fruition. Who is able to follow out the
result for missions of these first Oriental
language chairs in European universities
78 79
f'trst ~tsstonar~ 50urne~ to Uunts
among the Moslems of Africa. Lull was
at this time fifty-six years old, and travel in
those days was full of hardship by land and
by sea. The very year in which Lull set
CHAPTER VI out, news reached Europe of the fall of
Acre and the end of Christian power in
HIS FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY
TO TUNIS
Palestine. All Northern Africa was in the
hands of the Saracens, and they were at
(A.D. 1291-1292)
once elated at the capture of Acre and
.. In that bright sunny land
Across the tideless sea, where long ago driven to the height of fanaticism by the
Proud Carthage reared its walls. beauteous and fair, persecution of the Moors in Spain. It was
And large Phenician galleys laden deep
With richest stores, sailed bravely to and fro- a bold step that Lull undertook. But he
Where Gospel light in measure not unmixed counted not his life dear in the project,
With superstitions vain, burned for a time,
And spread her peaceful conquests far and wide, and was ready, so he thought, to venture
And gave her martyrs to the scorching fire- all on the issue. He expected to win by
There dwells to-day a darkness to be felt;
Each ray of that once rising, growing light love and persuasion; at least, in his own
Faded and gone." -Anon. words, he would "experiment whether he
WHEN Raymund Lull met with disap- himself could not persuade some of them
pointment on his first visit to Rome, he re- by conference with their wise men and by
turned for a short time to Paris, as we have manifesting to them, according to the
seen, and then determined to set out as a divinely given Method, the Incarnation
missionary indeed to propagate the faith of the Son of God and the three Persons
81
80
:stograpbp of lRapmunb 1u11 jftrst mtsstonarp 50urnep to \tunts
of the Blessed Trinity in the Divine Unity of Africa. The expectations of the people
of Essence." '* Lull proposed a parliament were raised to a high pitch. A vessel was
of religions, and desired to meet the bald found ready to sail for Africa and Lull's
monotheism of Islam face to face with the passage was engaged. The ship was lying
revelation of the Father, the Son, and the in the harbor; the missionary's books,
Holy Spirit. even, had been conveyed on board. All
Lull left Paris for Genoa, which was then was ready for the voyage and the venture.
the rival of Venice and contended with But at this juncture a change came over
her for the supremacy of the Mediter- him. Lull says that he was" overwhelmed
ranean. In the thirteenth century Genoa with terror at the thought of what might
was at the height of its prosperity, and the befall him in the country whither he was
superb palaces of that date still witness to going. The idea of enduring torture or
the genius of her artists and the wealth of lifelong imprisonment presented itself with
her merchant princes. such force that he could not control his
At Genoa the story of Lull's life was not emotions." '* Such a strong reaction after
unknown. Men had heard with wonder of his act of faith in leaving Paris must not
the miraculous conversion of the gay and surprise us. Similar experiences are not
dissolute seneschal; and now it was whis- rare in the lives of missionaries. Henry
pered that he had devised a new and cer- Martyn wrote in his journal as the shores
tain method for converting the "infidel" of Cornwall were disappearing: "Would I
and was setting out all alone for the shores go back? Oh, no. But how can I be sup-
*" Vita Prima," in 'I Acta Sanctorum," p. 633. ... U Vita Prima," in " Acta Sanctorum," p. 664.
82 83
J'trst .mtsstonarp gournep to Uunts
ported? My faith fails. I find, by experi- from weakness of body and prostration of
ence, I am as weak as water. 0 my dear mind, he heard that another ship was ready
friends in England, when we spoke with in the harbor and loaded to sail for the
exaltation of the missions to the heathen, port of Tunis. Weak tho he was, he
what an imperfect idea did we form of the begged his friends to put his books on
sufferings by which it must be accom- board and asked them to permit him to at-
plished!" Lull had to face a darker and tempt the voyage. He was taken to the
more uncertain future than did Martyn. ship, but his friends, convinced that he could
His faith failed. His books were taken not outlive the voyage, insisted on his being
back on shore and the ship sailed without again landed. Lull returned to his bed,
him. but did not find rest or recuperation. His
However, no sooner did he receive ti- old passion consumed him; he felt the
dings of the vessel's departure than he was contrition of Jonah and cried with Paul,
seized with bitter remorse. His passionate " W 0 is me if I preach not." Another
love for Christ could not bear the thought ship offering fit opportunity, he determined
that he had proved a traitor to the cause for at all risks to be put on board.
which God had specially fitted and called It is heroic reading to follow Lull in his
him. He felt that he had given opportu- autobiography as he tells how" from this
nity for those who scoff at Christ's religion moment he was a new man." The vessel
to mock Him and His great mission. So had hardly lost sight of land before all fever
keen was his sorrow that he was thrown left him; his conscience no more rebuked
into a violent fever. While yet suffering him for cowardice, peace of mind returned,
84 85
:l3tograpb}] of lRaYl1luntl 1u11 jftrst mtsstonar}] Journc}] to 'ttunts
and he seemed to have regained perfect Islam without a titular head (1258) the
health. Lull reached Tunis at the end of Hafsites assumed the title of Prince of
the year 1291 or early in 1292.* the Faithful and extended their rule from
Why did the philosophic missionary Tlemcen to Tripoli. The dignity of the
choose Tunis as his first point of attack on Tunisian rulers was acknowledged even in
the citadel of Islam? The answer is not Cairo and Mecca, and so strong were they
far to seek. in their government that, unaided, they
Tunis, the present capital of the country held their own against repeated Frankish
of the same name, was founded by the invasions. The Seventh Crusade ended
Carthaginians, but first rose to importance disastrously before Tunis. Tunis was in
under the Arab conquerors of North Africa, fact the western center of the Moslem
who gave it its present name; this comes world in the thirteenth century. Where
from an Arabic root which signifies to II St. Louis failed as a king with his great
enjoy oneself." t Tunis was the usual army, Raymund Lull ventured on his
port for those going from Kairwan (that spiritual crusade single-handed.
Mecca of all North Africa) to Spain. In Tunis is on an isthmus between two salt
1236, when the Hafsites displaced the AI- lakes and is connected with the port of
mohade dynasty, Abu Zakariyah made it Goletta by an ancient canal. Two build-
his capital. When the fall of Bagdad left ings still remain from the days of Lull: the
mosque of Abu Zakariyah in the citadel,
* Vita Prima," in Acta Sanctorum," p. 664. Neander's
I' II
and the great Mosque of the Olive Tree
" Memorials." p. 527. and Maclear, p. 361.
t A I Nuklalaf. February number. 1901, p. 79. in the center of the town. The ruins of
86 87
:JSiograpb}? of 1Ra}?mun~ 1ull
Carthage, famous center of early Latin
Christianity, lie a few miles north of Go-
letta. Even now Tunis has a population
of more than 125,000; it was much larger
at the period of which we write.
Lull must have arrived at Goletta and
thence proceeded to Tunis. His first step
was to invite the Moslem ulema or literati
to a conference, just as did Ziegenbalg in
South India and John Wilson at Bombay.
He announced that he had studied the
arguments on both sides of the question
and was willing to submit the evidences
for Christianity and for Islam to a fair
comparison. He even promised that, if he
was convinced, he would embrace Islam.
The Moslem leaders willingly responded to
the challenge, and coming in great numbers
to the conference set forth with much show
of learning the miracle of the Koran and
the doctrine of God's unity. After long,
tho fruitless discussion, Lull advanced the
88
jfirst .missionar)] 50urne}] to \tunis
following propositions,· which are well cal·
culated to strike the two weak points of
Mohammedan monotheism: lack of love £n
the be£ng of A llah, and lack ofharmony £n
Hz's attr£butes. "Every wise man must
acknowledge that to be the true religion,
which ascribed the greatest perfection to
the Supreme Being, and not only conveyed
the worthiest conception of all His at-
tributes, His goodness, power, wisdom, and
glory, but demonstrated the harmony and
equality existing between them. Now the£r
religion was defective in acknowledging
only two active principles in the Deity,
His will and His wisdom, while it left His
goodness and greatness inoperative as tho
they were indolent qualities and not called
forth into active exercise. But the Chris-
tian faith could not be charged with this
9° 91
:ll3tograpb}] of 1Ra}]mun~ 1u11 jftrst mtsstonar}] Journe}] to ttunts
imitated the sel£-devotion of the prisoner applied with barbarous cruelty.· Yet Lull
in preaching Islam would be highly hon- was not ready to submit even to the sen·
ored. The spectacle of a learned and aged tence of banishment, and so leave his little
Christian philosopher freely disputing the group of converts to themselves without
truth of the Koran in the midst of Tunis instruction or leadership.
was indeed a striking example of moral The ship which had conveyed him to
courage in the dark ages. "This," says Tunis was on the point of returning to
Dr. Smith, "was no careless Crusader Genoa; he was placed on board and warned
cheered by martial glory or worldly pleas- that if he ever made his way into the coun-
ure. His was not even such a task as that try again he would assuredly be stoned to
which had called forth all the courage of death. Raymund Lull, however, felt that,
the men who first won over Goth and with the apostles, it was not for him to
Frank, Saxon and Slav. Raymund Lull obey their threatening that he should
Ii
preached Christ to a people with whom speak henceforth to no man in this Name."
apostasy is death and who had made Chris- Perhaps also he felt that his cowardice at
tendom feel their prowess for centuries." Genoa when setting out demanded atone-
Even his enemies were amazed at such ment. At any rate he managed to escape
boldness of devotion. from the ship by strategy and to return
The death-sentence was changed to ban- unawares to the harbor town of Goletta in
ishment from the country. Well might defiance of the edict of banishment. For
Lull rejoice that escape was possible, since * See instances given in Muir's "Mameluke Dynasty."
the death-penalty on Christians was often pp. 4 1 , 48, 75, etc.
92 93
:lBtograpbl? of lRal?munl) 1ull J'trst .mtsstonar'!] lournel? to 1tunts
three long months the zealous missionary velation, and therefore at times attempted
concealed himself like a wharf-rat and wit- to explain what must ever remain a mys-
nessed quietly for his Master. Such was tery of faith.
the character of his versatile genius that As a theologian, we should remember,
we read how at this time, even, he com- Lull was not a schoolman, nor did he ever
posed a new scientific work! receive instruction from the great teachers
But since his favorite missionary method of his time. He was a self-taught man.
of public discussion was entirely impos- The speculative and the practical were
sible, he finally embarked for Naples, blended in his character and also in his
where for several years he taught and system. "His speculative turn entered
lectured on his New Method. And later, even into his enthusiasm for the cause of
as we have already seen, he revisited missions and his zeal as an apologist. His
Rome. contests with the school of A verroes, and
It is evident from all of Lull's writings, with the sect of that school which affirmed
as well as from the writings of his biogra- the irreconcilable opposition between faith
phers, that his preaching to the Moslems and knowledge, would naturally lead him
was not so much polemical as apologetic. to make the relation subsisting between
He always speaks of their philosophy and these two a matter of special investiga-
learning with respect. The very titles of tion." •
his controversial writings prove the tact Lull did not go to Naples because he
and love of his method. It was weak only had given up the battle. He went to bur-
in that it placed philosophy ahead of re- * Neander: "Church History," iv., p. 426.
94 95
JBtograpb}] of 1Ra}]1t1un~ 1ull
w is
Highway robbers infested the forests, and
the danger from wild animals had not yet
- a''""
~
f-<
~ 0
0 .;;
ceased even in the south of Europe. ~ c;;J
w .£c..
In spite of all obstacles, however, we read >-1
>-1 0
«: ~
that Lull" resolved to travel from place to (:J
z«:
place and preach wherever he might have
opportunity." His purpose seems to have -
f-<
W
;"
been to reach Jews and Christian heretics W
~
LO EVANGELI DE JESU·CHRIST
BEGott.
SANT JOAN.
CAP. 1. 5 Y I" linn> r..pl.ndei. en lao
.Eeilttftrita tttmQ V diviftitat dd Vab: tenebras, y Ins t.enebras no 10. com..
8'l
otnt:(Ifn~: tutlm~lli de J~n Baptis· prengu61'en. •
to: IXlcac.6 del' p"lmtr, deizeblel. 6 Hi hagu6 tiD home enl'll.t de
N to principi era 10 Verb, y 10 Den que ~ &nomeno.va. Joan.
E Verb era all Dco, y 10 Verb
('fa Dell.
7 Est ",ingu~ d servir de testi-
moni, perll. testificar de 1& Hum, ,
2 Ell era. ell 10 principi ah Den. fi de quo: tots crcguessen per me-
3 Per ell foren f~tas totas las co..
di d'ell.
1M, y seils ell ningun& cosn fou 8 No em ell la Bum, sino .n.-
feta de 10 que ha estat ret. via! pern. donar testimoui de If'
" En ell era Ja. vida,y 10. vida. 11um.
e'" la num del. hom... 9 A(.~ll ern la .erdadem lIum
112
CHAPTER VIII
RAYMUND LULL AS PHILOSOPHER
AND AUTHOR
.. He was at once a philosophical systematizer and an
analytic chemist. a skilful mariner and a successful propaga-
tor of Christianity,"-Humooldt's "Cosmos," ii., 629_
•• Of making many books there is no end, and much study
is a weariness of the flesh,"-Ecclesiastes.
God"; "On the Language of the Angels," II Deus exemplum dedit de sua unitate in natura."
Ii Fortitudo est vigor cordis contra maliciam."
Among the sixty-two books of medita- l< Prredestinatio est scire Dei qui scit homines."
.. Deus adeo magnum habet recolere quod nihil obliviscitur."
tion and devotion which are preserved in
the lists of Lull's writings, there are none Among Lull's works there are twenty on
on the saints, and only four treat of the logic and metaphysics. One of the latter
Virgin Mary. This is one of the many has the title, "On the Greatness and the
proofs in Lull's books that he was more of Littleness of Man." Among his sermons
a Catholic than a Romanist, and that he and books on preaching there is only one
esteemed Christ more than all the saints of commentary. That, in accord with Lull's
the papal calendar. One of his books of
* According to Moslem teaching, Allah has one hundred
devotion is entitled, "On the One H un- beautiful names. The Moslem's rosary has one hundred
dred Names of God," and was evidently beads and to count these names is a devotional exercise.
J
116 117
:J8iograpb}1 of 1Ra}1mnn~ 1nU ~btlosopber an~ Sntbot
mission and character, is a commentary on grace, that Thou wouldst stand by me that
the prolog of John's Gospel. I may soon finish it and speedily depart to
Of making many controversial books die the death of a martyr out of love to
there was no end in the days of Lull. His Thee, if it shall please Thee to count me
writings in this department, however, are worthy of it."
not, as are those of his contemporaries, In 1296 he concluded a work on the
against heretics to condemn them, with logic of Christianity with this seraph-song
their errors, to eccLesiastical perdition. to the key of world-wide missions: "Let
Even the titles of his controversial writings Christians consumed with burning love for
show his irenic spirit and his desire to con- the cause of faith only consider that since
vert rather than to convince. All through nothing has power to withstand truth, they
his books there runs the spirit of earnest can by God's help and His might bring
devotion; even his natural philosophy is infidels back to the faith; so that the
full of the world to come and its glories. precious name of Jesus, which in most
A t the end of one of his books he bursts regions is still unknown to most men, may
out with this prayer: "0 Lord, my help r be proclaimed and adored." And again:
till this work is completed thy servant can "As my book is finished on the vigils of
not go to the land of the Saracens to glorify John the Baptist, who was the herald of
Thy glorious name, for I am so occupied the light, and pointed to Him who is the
with this book which I undertake for Thine true light, may it please our Lord to kindle
honor that I can think of nothing else. a new light of the world which may guide
For this reason I beseech Thee for that unbelievers to conversion, that with us they
II8 II9
:lJ3fograpbl] of 1Ral]munb 1uU PbflotJopber anb Butbor
may meet Christ, to whom be honor and lems and Jews with ready-made arguments.
praise world without end." This is not the Scholasticism was for the clergy; the
language of pious rhetoric, but the passion- "Lullian method" was intended for the
ate outcry of a soul hungry for the coming laity as well. Raymund Lull had become
of the Kingdom. discontented with the methods of scientific
Lull was a popular author. He wrote inquiry commonly in use, and so set himself
not only in learned Latin, but in the ver- to construct his "Ars Major," or Greater
nacular of his native land. Nable calls Art, which by a series of mechanical con-
him the Moody of the thirteenth century. trivances and a system of mnemonics was
He tried to reach the masses. His influ- adapted to answer any question on any
ence on popular religious ideas in Spain topic. This new philosophy is the key-
was so great, through his Catalan hymns note of most of Lull's treatises. All his
and proverbs and catechisms, that Helf- philosophical works are but different ex-
ferich compares him to Luther and calls planations and phases of the" Ars Major."
him a reformer before the Reformation." In his other books he seldom fails to
He made the study of theology popular call attention to this universal key of
by putting its commonplaces into verse, so knowledge which the great art sup-
that the laity could learn by heart the sum- plies.
mary of the Catholic faith and meet Mos- What is the method of Lull's philoso-
phy? The most complete account and the
* .. Der Protestantismus in Spanien zur Zeit der Reforma-
tion." Prot. Monatsblatter v. H. Gelzer, 1856, S. 133-168.
most luminous explanation of its abstruse
Also his" Raymund Lull. n. z. w .. " pp. 152-154. perplexities is given by Prantl in his" His-
120 121
1Hograpbp of lRapmunl> 1ulI ~btlosopber anl> !lutbor
tory of Logic" (vol. iii., 145-177). This is together in O1te subject. This method must
a summary of it: be real, and not altogether formal or sub-
The reasonableness and demonstrability jective. It must deal with the things them-
of Christianity is the real basis of his great selves, and not merely with second inten-
method. Nothing, Lull held, interfered tions.
more with the spread of Christian truth Lull's great art goes beyond logic and
than the attempt of its advocates to rep- metaphysic: it provides a universal art
resent its doctrines as undemonstrable of discovery, and contains the {ormul::e to
mysteries. The very difference between which every demonstration in every sci-
Christ and Antichrist lies in the fact that ence can be reduced-being, in fact, a sort
the former can jJrove His truth by miracles, of cyclopedia of categories and syllogisms.
etc., while the latter can not. The glory of Lull's" Ars Major" is a tabulation of the
Christianity, Lull argues, is that it does not different points of view from which propo-
maintain the undemonstrable, but simply sitions may be framed about objects. It is
the supersensuous. It is not against rea- a mnemonic, or, rather, a mechanical con-
son, but above unsanctified reason. The trivance for ascertaining all possible cate-
demonstration, however, which Lull seeks gories that apply to any possible proposi-
is not that of ordinary logic. He says that tion. Just as by knowing the typical
we require a method which will reason not terminations or conjugations of Arabic
only from effect to cause, or from cause to grammar, for example, we can inflect and
effect, but per cequiparantiam, that is, by conjugate any word; so, Lull reasons, by a
showing that contrary attributes can exist knowledge of the different types of exist-
122 12 3
JBiograpbl? of 1Ral?munl) 1ull ~btlosopber anl) Butbot
ence and their possible relations and com- philosophy, but their general character is
binations we should possess knowledge of the same. Circles and other figures are
the whole of nature and of all truth as a divided into sections by lines or colors, and
system. then marked by Lull's symbolical letters so
"The great art, accordingly, begins by as to show all the possible combinations of
laying down an alphabet according to which the letters are capable. For ex-
which the nine letters from B to K stand ample, one arrangement represents the
for the different kinds of substances and possible combinations of the attributes of
attributes. Thus in the series of substances God; another, the possible conditions of
B stands for God, C, angel, D, heaven, E, the soul, and so on. These figures are
man, and so on; in the series of absolute further fenced about by various definitions
attributes B represents goodness, D, dura- and rules, and their use is further specified
tion, C, greatness; or, again, in the nine by various "evacuations" and "multipltca-
questions of scholastic philosophy B stands tions" which show us how to exhaust all
for utrum, C, for quzd, D, for de quo, etc." the possible combinations and sets of ques-
By manipulating these letters in such a tions which the terms of our proposition
way as will show the relationship of differ- admit. When so " multiplied," the" fourth
ent objects and predicates you exercise the figure" is, in Lull's language, that by which
"new art." This manipulation is effected other sciences can be most readily and
by the help of certain so-called" figures" aptly acquired; and it may accordingly
or geometrical arrangements. Their con- be taken as no unfair specimen of Lull's
struction differs in various books of Lull's method. This" fourth figure" is simply
12 4 125
:lB1ograpb)] of 1Ra)]muntl 1ull ~bHosopber antl Butbor
an arrangement of three concentric circles without judgment of that which we do not
each divided into nine sections, B, C, D, know." Lull sought to give not a com-
etc., and so constructed of pasteboard that pendium of knowledge but a method of in-
when the upper and smaller circle remains vestigation. He sought a more scientific
fixed the two lower and outer revolve method for philosophy than the dialectic
around it. Taking the letters in the sense of his contemporaries. In his conception
of the series we are then able, by revolving of a universal method and his application
the outer circles, to find out the possible of the vernacular languages to philosophy
relationships between different conceptions he was the herald of Bacon himself. In
and elucidate the agreement or disagree- his demand for a reasonable religion he was
ment that exists between them. Mean- beyond his age. And, in applying this
while the middle circle, in similar fashion, system, weak tho it was, to the conversion
gives us the intermediate terms by which of infidels, he proved himself the first mis-
they are to be connected or disconnected. sionary philosopher. He perceived the
This Lullian method, of a wheel within possibilities (tho not the limitations) of com·
a wheel, seems at first as perplexing as the parative theology and the science of logic
visions of Ezekiel and as puerile as the as weapons for the missionary.
automatic book-machine in "Gulliver's Nothing will so clearly illustrate the ver·
Travels." But it would be unfair to say satile and brilliant character of Lull's ge·
that Lull supposed" thinking could be re- nius as to turn from his" Ars Major" to
duced to a mere rotation of pasteboard cir- his religious novel, " BIanquerna," the great
cles," or that his art enabled men" to talk allegory of the Middle Ages, and the pred.
126 12 7
:fS1ograpb}2 of 1Ra}2nluntl 1uIl ~btlo50pber antl 1\utbot
ecessor of Bunyan's" Pilgrim's Progress." * Both, however, decide to remain ascetics.
In fact, Raymund Lull was the first Euro- Blanquerna enters a monastery and his fair
pean who wrote a religious story in the sweetheart turns nun. The allegory reo
vernacular. The romances of the days of lates the experiences of these characters in
chivalry were doubtless well known to him their different surroundings-the pilgrim,
before his conversion, and what was more the monk, and the abbess. To borrow
natural than that the missionary knight words in another book from Lull himself,
should write the romance of his new cru- "we see the pilgrim traveling away in dis-
sade of love against the Saracens? "Blan- tant lands to seek Thee, tho Thou art so
querna" is an allegory in four books. Its near that every man, if he would, might
sub-title states that it is "a mirror of morals find Thee in his own house and chamber.
in all classes of society, and treats of matri- The pilgrims are so deceived by false men,
mony, religion, prelates, the papacy, and whom they meet in taverns and churches,
the hermit's life." It is the story of the that many of them when they return home
pilgrimage of Enast, the hero, who marries show themselves to be far worse than they
Aloma, the daughter of a wealthy widow. were when they set out." Dona Cana, the
Their only child, Blanquerna, desires to be abbess, disputes with her sister nuns the
a monk, but falls in love with a beautiful authority of the priest to bind the con·
and pious maiden, Dona Cana by name. science, and even draws in question some
* Helfferich, pp. 1II-122. He holds that the allegory was of the doctrines of the Church! The va·
first written in Arabic and then put into Catalan. Several rious characters bear allegorical names.
manuscripts of it are extant in the archives of Palma, etc. It
was first printed in 1521. When Blanquerna reaches Rome the Pope
128 9 12 9
:lBtograpbp of 1Rapmuntl $uU ~btlogopber antl Butbor
has a court-jester called "Raymund the equal to that of John Bunyan. There are
Fool," who is none other than Lull him- other resemblances betwe~n these two pil-
self, and who tells the cardinals some rare grims rescued from the City of Destruction
truths. The four cardinals bear the and describing their own experiences in
names, " W e-give-thee-thanks," " Lord- allegory; but to present them here would
God-heavenly-King," " We-glorify-Thee," make this chapter too lengthy. Who
and "Thou-only-art-Holy" ! Blanquerna would know more of Lull the philosopher
finally becomes Pope and uses his author- and the author is referred to the bibliog-
ity in sending out a vast army of monk- raphy and to the writings themselves.
missionaries to convert Jews and Moham-
medans.
In various parts of the book songs of
praise and devotion occur, while the mis-
sionary idea is never absent. This remark-
able allegory, as well as many other works of
Lull, deserves to be rescued from oblivion.
The arrival of Banquerna before the door
of the Enchanted Castle, over whose gate-
way the Ten Commandments are written,
and, within, the solemn conclave of gray-
beards who discourse on the vanity of the
world, are two scenes that show a genius
13° 131
1ast 50urne)] an~ mart)]r~om
Ages the doctrines of martyrdom had taken the cause makes the martyr."
hold of the Church. Stories of the early Raymund Lull was ahead of his age in
martyrs were the popular literature to fan his aims and in his methods, but he was
the flame of enthusiasm. A martyr's death not and could not be altogether uninflu-
was supposed, on the authority of many enced by his environment. The spirit of
Scripture passages,* to cancel all sins of chivalry was not yet dead in the knight
the past life, to supply the place of baptism, who forty-eight years before had seen a
vision of the Crucified and had been
* Luke xii. 50; Mark x. 39 ; Matt. x. 39; Matt. v. 10-12. knighted by the pierced hands for a spiri-
Compare the teaching of Roman Catholic commentaries on
these passages. tual crusade. Like Heber he felt;
13 6 137
13tograpb~ of 1Ra~mun" 1uU 1ast 1ourne~ anb .roart~rbom
.. The Son of God goes forth to war, ers. Animated by these sentiments, he
A kingly crown to gain;
His blood-red banner streams afar crossed over to Bugia on August 14, and
Who follows in His train? for nearly a whole year labored secretly
.. Who best can drink His cup of wo among a little circle of converts, whom on
Triumphant over pain;
\Vho patient bears His cross below
his previous visits he had won over to the
He follows in His train. Christian faith.
.. A glorious band, the chosen few
Both to these converts, and to any others
On whom the Spirit came; who had boldness to come and join them
Twelve valiant saints. their hope they knew
And mocked the cross and flame.
in religious conversation, Lull continued to
expatiate on the one theme of which he
.. They climbed the steep ascent of heaven
Through peril, toil. and pain; never seemed to tire, the inherent superior-
o God, to us may grace be given ityof Christianity to Islam. He saw that
To follow in their train."
the real strength of Islam is not in the
The dangers and difficulties that made second clause of its all too brief creed,
Lull shrink back from his journey at but in its first clause. The Mohammedan
Genoa in 1291 only urged him forward to conception of the unity and the attributes
North Africa once more in 1314. His of God is a great half-truth. Their whole
love had not grown cold, but burned the philosophy of religion finds its pivot in
brighter" with the failure of natural warmth their wrong idea of absolute monism in
and the weakness of old age." He longed the Deity. We do not find Lull wasting
not only for the martyr's crown, but also arguments to disprove Mohammed's mis-
once more to see his little band of believ- sion, but presenting facts to show that Me-
13 8 139
:l3tograpb)] of 1Ra)]mun~ 1u11
hammed's conception of God was deficient
and untrue. If for nothing else he de-
serves the honor, yet this great principle
of apologetics in the controversy with
Islam, as first stated by Lull, marks him
the great missionary to Moslems.
"If Moslems," he argued, "according to -<
~
D
their law affirm that God loved man be- ;::J
>0
cause He created him, endowed him with ,;,
Iz,
c ...
;:l
noble faculties, and pours His benefits :.-
~
;:l
-< u"
upon him, then the Christians according ~
OJ .=l
~
i-<
to their law affirm the same. But mas- -< ~
D :-
much as the Christians believe more than ~
~
~
~
OJ
that He was willing to become man, to en- :r:
i-<
dure poverty, ignominy, torture, and death
for his sake, which the Jews and Saracens
do not teach concerning Him; therefore is
the religion of the Christians, which thus
reveals a Love beyond all other love,
superior to that of those which reveals it
only in an inferior degree." Islam is a
14°
1ast 50urnep an~ Jl)artprbom
loveless religion. Raymund Lull believed
and proved that Love could conquer it.
The Koran denies the Incarnation, and so
remains ignorant of the true character not
only of the Godhead, but of God (Matt.
xi. 27).
At the time when Lull visited Bugia and
was imprisoned, the Moslems were already
replying to his treatises and were winning
converts from among Christians. He says:
"The Saracens write books for the destruc-
tion of Christianity; I have myself seen
such when I was in prison.... For one
Saracen who becomes a Christian, ten
Christians and more become Mohamme-
dans. It becomes those who are in power
to consider what the end will be of such a
state of things. God will not be mocked." *
Lull did not think, apparently, that lack
of speedy results was an argument for
* Smith: .. Short History of Christian Missions." pp. 107.
108.
:lBtograpb12 of lRa12munt) $u1l ~ast 50urne12 ant) roart12r~om
abandoning the work of preaching to Mos- At length, weary of seclusion, and long-
lems the unsearchable riches of Christ. ing for martyrdom, he came forth into the
II High failure, towering far o'er low success, open market and presented himself to the
Firm faith, unwarped by others' faithlessness,
Which, like a day brightest at eventide,
people as the same man whom they had
Seemed never half so deathless, till he died." once expelled from their town. Itwas
For over ten months the aged missionary Elijah showing himself to a mob of Ahabs I
dwelt in hiding, talking and praying with Lull stood before them and threatened
his converts and trying to influence those them with divine wrath if they still per-
who were not yet persuaded. His one sisted in their errors. He pleaded with
weapon was the argument of God's love love, but spoke plainly the whole truth.
in Christ, and his "shield of faith" was The consequences can be easily anticipated.
that of medieval art which so aptly sym- Filled with fanatic fury at his boldness, and
bolizes the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. unable to reply to his arguments, the popu-
So lovingly and so unceasingly did Lull lace seized him, and dragged him out of
urge the importance of this doctrine that the town; there by the command, or at
we have put the scutum fidei on the cover least the connivance, of the king, he was
of this biography. stoned on the 30th of June, 1315.
Of the length, breadth, depth, and height Whether Raymund Lull died on that
of the love of Christ, all Lull's devotional day or whether, still alive, he was rescued
writings are full. This, according to all by a few of his friends, is disputed by his
his biographers, was his last theme also at biographers. According to the latter idea
Bugia. his friends carried the wounded saint to
143
J3tograpby of 1Raymun~ 1uU
the beach and he was conveyed in a vessel
to Majorca, his birthplace, only to die ere he
reached Palma. According to other ac-
counts, which seem to me to carry more
authority, Lull did not survive the stoning
by the mob, but died, like Stephen, outside
the city. Also in this case, devout men
carried Lull to his burial and brought the
body to Palma, Majorca, where it was laid
to rest in the church of San Francisco.
An elaborate tomb was afterward built
in this church as a memorial to Lull. Its
date is uncertain, but it is probably of the
fourteenth century. Above the elaborately
carved panels of marble are the shields or
coat-of-arms of Raymund Lull; on either
side are brackets of metal work to hold
candles. The upper horizontal panel
shows Lull in repose, in the garb of a
Franciscan, with a rosary on his girdle,
and his hands in the attitude of prayer.
May we not believe that this was his TOMil OF RA YMUNil LULL IN CHURCH OF SAN
144 FRANCISCO, PALMA, MAJORCA.
1ast Joutnel] anb L1Mtt12tbom
attitude when the angry mob caught up
stones, and crash followed crash against
the body of the aged missionary? Per-
haps not only the manner of his death but
his last prayer was like that of Stephen the
first martyr.
It was the teaching of the medieval
Church that there are three kinds of mar-
tyrdom: The first both in will and in deed,
which is the highest; the second, in will
but not in deed; the third, in deed but not
in will. St. Stephen and the whole army
of those who were martyred by fire or
sword for their testimony are examples of
the first kind of martyrdom. St. John the
Evangelist and others like him who died
in exile or old age as witnesses to the truth
but without violence, are examples of the
second kind. The Holy Innocents, slain
by Herod, are an example of the third
kind. Lull verily was a martyr in will
and in deed. Not only at Bugia, when he
145
:l3togtllpb12 of 'lR1l12munb 1ull
fell asleep, but for all the years of his long
life after his conversion, he was a witness
to the Truth, ever ready "to fill up that
which is behind of the afflictions of Christ" CHAPTER X
in his flesh" for His body's sake which is
"WHO BEING DEAD YET
the Church."
SPEAKETH"
To be stoned to death while preaching
., He who lovtS not lives not,. he who livtS by tl" Life can
the love of Christ to Moslems-that was 110t die. "-Raymund Lull,
the fitting end for such a life. "Lull," says .. One step farther. but some slight response from his
church or his age, and Raymund Lull would have anticipated
Noble, "was the greatest of medieval mis- William Carey by exactly seven centuries. "-Geo,.ge Smith.
sionaries, perhaps the grandest of all mis-
sionaries from Paul to Carey and Living. NEANDER does not hesitate to compare
stone. His career suggests those of Jonah Raymund Lull with Anselm, whom he re-
the prophet, Paul the missionary, and sembled in possessing the threefold talents
Stephen the martyr. Tho his death was uncommon among men and so seldom
virtually self-murder, its heinousness is found in one character: namely, a powerful
lessened by his homesickness for heaven, intellect, a loving heart, and efficiency in
his longing to be with Christ, and the sub- practical things. If we acknowledge that
limity of his character and career." Lull possessed these three divine gifts, we
at once place him at the front as the true
type of what a mIssIonary to Moslems
should be to-day.
147
:l8foGrapbog of 1Ra'gmuntl j[,uU "Wlbo :fBetng li'eab ~et $peaketb"
He, whom Helfferich calls "the most never by outward violence did they capture
remarkable figure of the Middle Ages," or slay any of the unbelievers, or of those
being dead yet speaketh. The task which who persecuted them. Of this outward
he first undertook is still before the Church peace they availed themselves to bring the
unaccomplished. The modern missionary erring to the knowledge of the truth and
to Islam can see a reflection of his own to a communion of spirit with themselves.
trials of faith, difficulties, temptations, And so after Thy example should Chris-
hopes, and aspirations in the story of Lull. tians conduct themselves toward Moslems;
Only with his spirit of self-sacrifice and en- out since that ardor of devotion wht'clt
thusiasm can one gird for the conflict with glowed tn apostles and holy men of old no
this Goliath of the Philistines, who for longer inspires us, love and devotion through
thirteen centuries has defied the armies of almost all tlte world have grown cold, and
the Living God. therefore do Christians expend their efforts
Lull's writings contain glorious watch- far more in the outward than in the spiri-
words for the spiritual crusade against tual conflict."
Islam in the twentieth century. How up- England's war in the Sudan cost more
to-date is this prayer which we find at the in men and money a hundred times than
close of one of his books: "Lord of heaven, all missions to Moslems in the past cen-
Father of all times, when Thou didst send tury! Yet the former was only to put
Thy Son to take upon Him human nature, down a Moslem usurper by fire and sword;
He and His apostles lived in outward peace the latter represents the effort of Christ-
with Jews, Pharisees, and other men; for endom to convert over two hundred mil-
14 8 149
:lI3toot'apbn of ma)?nnm~ 1[,\\[[ "'Wlbo :JBetng li>ea~ l11et $pealletb ..
lions of those who are in the darkness of vast is the work still before us, six hundred
Islam. years after Lulll
There was a thousandfold more enthu- According to recent and exhaustive
siasm in the dark ages to wrest an empty statistics, the population of the Moham-
sepulcher from the Saracens than there is medan world is placed at 259,680,672.· Of
in our day to bring them the knowledge of these 11,515,402 are in Europe, 171,278,008
a living Savior. Six hundred years after are in Asia, 19446 are in Australasia, 76,-
Raymund Lull we are still "playing at 818,253 are in Africa, and 49,563 are in
missions" as far as Mohammedanism is North and South America. Three per
concerned. For there are more mosques cent. of Europe's population is Moslem;
in Jerusalem than there are missionaries in Asia has 18 per cent., and Africa 37 per
all Arabia; and more millions of Moslems cent. Out of every 100 souls in the world
unreached in China than the number of 16 are followers of Mohammed. Islam's
missionary societies that work for Moslems power extends in many lands, from Canton
in the whole world! to Sierra Leone, and from Zanzibar to the
In North Africa, where Lull witnessed Caspian Sea.
to the truth, missions to Moslems were not Islam is growing to-day even faster in
begun again until 1884. Now there is some lands than it did in the days of Lull.
again daybreak in Morocco, Tripoli, Tunis, And yet in other lands, such as European
Algiers, and Egypt. Yet how feeble are Turkey, Caucasia, Syria, Palestine, and
the efforts in all Moslem lands compared * Dr. Hubert Jansen's" Verbreitung des Islams," Berlin,
with the glorious opportunities! How 1897; a marvel of research and accuracy.
IS° 151
:lBfograpb)] of lRa)]l1tunl> 1ull .. 'Wlbo :l3etng lDeatl )get $peaketb I t
Turkestan, the number of Moslems is de- more inexcusable if we consider the great
creasing. In Lull's day the empire of opportunities of to-day. More than 125,-
Moslem faith and Moslem politics nearly 000,000 Moslems are now under Christian
coincided. Nowhere was there real liberty, rulers. The keys to every gateway in the
and all the doors of access seemed barred. Moslem world are to-day in the political
Now five-sixths of the Moslem world are grasp of Christian Powers, with the excep-
accessible to foreigners and missionaries; tion of Mecca and Constantinople. Think
but not one-sixtieth has ever been occupied only, for example, of Gibraltar, Algiers,
by missions. There are no missions to the Cairo, Tunis, Khartum, Batoum, Aden,
Moslems of all Afghanistan, Western and Muskat, not to speak of India and the
Turkestan, Western, Central, and South- farther East. It is impossible to enforce
ern Arabia, Southern Persia, and vast re- the laws relating to renegades from Islam
gions in North Central Africa. under the flag of the " infidel." One could
Mission statistics of direct work for Mos- almost visit Mecca as easily as Lull did
lems are an apology for apathy rather than Tunis were the same spirit of martyrdom
an index of enterprise. The Church for- alive among us thaj; inspired the pioneer
got its heritage of Lull's great example of Palma. The journey from London to
and was ages behind time. To Persia, one Bagdad can now be accomplished with less
thousand years after Islam, the first mis- hardship and in less time than it must
sionary came; Arabia waited twelve cen- have taken Lull to go from Paris to
turies; in China Islam has eleven hundred Bugia.
years the start. This neglect appears the How much more promising too is the
15 2 153
:lBiograpbl] of 1Ral]mun~ 1u11 H Wlbo :f8etng lDea~ met Speaketb"
condition of Islam to-day! The philo- by carefully diluting the wine; the New
sophical disintegration of the system began Turkish party is making the rent of the
very early, but has grown more rapidly in old garment worse by its patchwork pol-
the past century than in all the twelve that itics.
preceded. The strength of Islam is to sit In addition to all this, the Bible now
still, to forbid thought, to gag reformers, speaks the languages of Islam, and is
to abominate progress. But the Wahabis everywhere preparing the way for the con-
"drew a bow at a venture" and smote quest of the cross. Even in the Moslem
their king "between the joints of the har- world, and in spite of all hindrances, "it is
ness." Their exposure of the unorthodoxy daybreak everywhere." The great lesson
of Turkish Mohammedanism set all the of Lull's life is that our weapons against
world thinking. Abd-ul-Wahab meant to Islam should never be carnal. Love, and
reform Islam by digging for the original love alone, will conquer. But it must be
foundations. The result was that they an all-sacrificing, an all-consuming love-a
now must prop up the house! In India love that is faithful unto death.
they are apologizing for Mohammed's "Taking him all in all," says Noble,
morals and subjecting the Koran to higher "Lull's myriad gifts and graces make him
criticism. In Egypt prominent Moslems the evening and the morning star of mis-
advocate abolishing the veil. In Persia sions." He presaged the setting of medi-
the Babi movement has undermined Islam eval missions and heralded the dawn of the
everywhere. In Constantinople they are Reformation. The story of his life and
trying to put new wine into the old skins labors for Moslems in the dark ages is a
154 155
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challenge of faith to us who live in the
light of the twentieth century to follow
in the footsteps of Raymund Lull and
win the whole Mohammedan world for
Christ. BIBLIOGRAPHY
A. Books Written by Raymund Lull
[One of Lull's biographers states that the works of
Lull numbered four thousand. Many of these have
been lost. Of his writings in Latin, Catalonian, and
Arabic it is said that one thousand were extant in the
fifteenth century. Only two hundred and eighty-two
were known in 1721 to Salzinger of Mainz, and yet he
included only forty.five of these in his collected edition
of Lull's works in ten volumes. It is disputed whether
volumes seven and eight actually appeared. Some of
Lull's unpublished works are to be found in the Impe.
rial Library, the libraries of the Arsenal and Ste. Gen-
evieve at Paris, also in the libraries of Angers, Amiens,
the Escurial, etc. Most of his books were written in
Latin; some first in Catalonian and then translated by
his pupils, others only in the Catalonian or in Arabic.
In the" Acta Sauctorum." vol. xxvii.• page 640 d sef/.•
we find the following classified catalog of three hun-
dred and twenty-one books by Raymund Lull.]