An Ecclesiastical History of Ireland; from the Introduction of Christianity Into That Country, to the Commencement of the Thirteenth Century

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1838 edition. Excerpt: ...he applauded. Nay, to several of those, who were mosffriendly to the institution at Citeaux, it had begun to appear dubious, whether the members of that establishment would themselves persevere in the observance of the austere rule, which they had laid down for the regulation of their own conduct. While the prospects of the new institute were thus clouded, Alberie, Abbot of Citeaux, died. His successor was an Englishman, named Harding. Harding was one of those who accompanied the monks, when they quitted Molesne, in order to found the establishment of Citeaux. His conduct since the erection of the new Abbey had earned for him the approbation and esteem of his brethren. Before the death of Alberie, Harding, in the capacity of Prior, had assisted that Abbot in the government of the community. The qualities he evinced in the discharge of that office obtained for him the unanimous suffrages of his brethren, when they assembled to choose a successor for Alberic. The zeal of the newly elected Abbot for the rigid enforcement of the rule outstripped even that, which his predecessors had displayed. In his opinion, the austere simplicity, to which the religious of his institute were obliged, would suffer, were they to behold within the precincts of their enclosure the worldly splendour, that was exhibited by certain Noblemen, who, on particular festivals, held their court in the apartments of the Abbey. At his instance, therefore, this usage was repealed, and admission to the Abbey allowed to those nobles only, who should consent to enter there unaccompanied by the customary train of their attendants. But the zeal of Harding was not satisfied with removing the display of earthly grandeur from the view of his brethren. To his severe virtue, it...