100 KANSAS CITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE. 



meditated the formation of a religious order, and while in Paris he commenced 

 to express his intentions to others. Never did a politician act more shrewdly 

 than did this Spaniard. He sounded his friends and carefully studied their char- 

 acteristics. He broached a little of his plan to this one, a little to that; securing 

 the devotion of one by his piety ; appealing successfully to the ambition of anoth- 

 er ; and, so great was his knowledge of men and so seductive his methods, that 

 even the briUiant and haughty Xavier at last was won. A solemn vow was taken 

 and so the germ of the society was organized. Their intention was to go to Jerusa- 

 lem to convert the Mohammedans, or, if unsuccessful, to offer themselves to the 

 Pope : So in pilgrim garb they journeyed, on foot, toward Italy, living by alms ; 

 performing the "Spiritual Exercises," preaching vigorously on all occasions, 

 especially against these new Lutheran doctrines; making many converts and re- 

 heving suffering, as they tarried by the way. On reaching Italy it was found to 

 be impossible to proceed to Jerusalem, and the journey was continued to Rome. 

 Paul III, the Pope, was looking on with anger and dismay as he saw England 

 sHpping away, Germany half Protestant, and the new heresy encroaching on Italy 

 itself. The Jesuits, in Rome, soon distinguished themselves as successful oppo- 

 nents to Protestantism, and were favorably received by the Pope as the best an- 

 tagonists to Luther. It was not long before the devotion and success of this new 

 society had gained the confidence of Paul III, and the Jesuits were formally re- 

 cognized as an order of the Church and Loyola was elected "General." 



The professed number of the first organization was sixty, but it was afterward 

 increased and its growth was favored by the removal of certain civil ecclesiastic and 

 restrictions. Its members were divided into four classes, viz : ist. The Novices, 

 who were simply candididates undergoing two years probation. 2d. The Schol- 

 ars, whose position in relation to the society was to be determined by individual 

 ability. 3d. The Coadjutors, who may be either priests or laymen, but who aid 

 in carrying out the interests of the order. 4th. The Professed, who have bound 

 themselves by vows of chastity, of poverty, of obedience to the will of the Gen- 

 eral, of perfect submission to the Pope in respect to missionary enterprises. The 

 remaining years of Loyola's life were spent in perfecting the " Constitution " — or 

 rules of government of the Society — in arranging missions, in founding charitable 

 institutions and the celebrated Jesuit College at Rome, in preaching and prosely- 

 ting. This remarkable man died in the year 1556, in the sixty-sixth year of his 

 age. 



The Church of Rome has canonized Loyola. His name is considered sacred 

 in Catholic countries, and the relics of his early life, in Spain, are objects of ven- 

 eration. On the other hand, he had been villified as much as he has been adored. 

 Almost the whole vocabulary of abusive epithets has been applied to him, occa- 

 sionally by CathoUc and frequently by Protestant. But, there is something won- 

 derful in the history of the man who has stamped himself so indelibly on a system 

 that his influence has been projected through three centuries. How shall we 

 defend this character ? Asa young man, ardent, chivalrous. By a sudden and 

 natural transition he becomes an enthusiastic and devoted proselyte of the re- 



