XIV PEEFATORY LETTER. 



the stick of Epliraim, and all the house of Israel his 

 companions;' and join them one to another into one 

 stick, and they shall become one in thy hand."* 



To me, likewise, who am the least of Cliristians, in 

 those spiritual visions which are ever vouchsafed to 

 longing souls, the Lord hath spoken. He hath placed in 

 my hand these two sundered and withered branches — 

 Kome and the children of Israel who follow her; the 

 churches of the Reformation and the nations that are 

 with them. I have pressed them together on my heart, 

 and under the outpouring of my tears and prayers I 

 have so joined them that henceforth they might make 

 Ijut one tree. But men have laughed to scorn my effort, 

 seemingly so mad, and have asked of me, as of that 

 ancient seer, "Wilt thou not show us what thou 

 meanest by these things ?"t And while I gaze upon 

 that trunk so bare and mutilated, even now I seem to 

 see the brilliant blossom and the savory fruit. 



" One God, one faith, one baptism." 



"And there shall be one flock and one shepherd." 



BROTHER HYACINTHE. 

 Highland Falls, All-Souls Day, 

 Nov. 2, 18G9. 



Êzekiel, xxxvii. 10, 17. t Ibid., IS. 



