Note 9 — Chapter V · THE VOW OF OBEDIENCE.

There must be many similar lying legends of this kind, in order to stamp upon ignorant and superstitious minds the necessity of obedience.

In “The Secret Plan of the Jesuits,” by the Abbot Leone, the following story is told: “Father Saetti, knocking at my door one morning, according to his custom, I did not open it. ‘Why this delay?’ he asked me. I replied that I could not open the door sooner. He then reminded me that, in all things, the most prompt obedience was the most perfect; that, in obeying God, we must make every sacrifice, even that of a moment of time. ‘One of the brethren,’ he continued, ‘was occupied in writing, when some one knocked at the door. He had begun to make an “O,” but he did not stay to finish it. He opened the door, and on returning to his seat, he found the “O” completed, and all in gold! Thus you see how God rewards him who is obedient.’” Did not St. Paul prophesy that those would arise who would “speak lies in hypocrisy,” and did he not say, “Refuse profane and old wives’ fables”? (1 Tim. iv. 1-7).—Editor.