Page:Jesuit Education.djvu/547

Rh (σάρξ, caro). Pagan education aimed at mere formation (Ausbildung), at the evolution and development of the natural man; Christian education aims at transformation (Umbildung), at change, at elevation. Every one, free or slave, rich or poor, white or black, is a child of God and destined to be an heir of heaven. Therefore, he is to seek first heavenly things: "Quae sursum sunt quacrite, quae sursum sunt sapite, non quae super terram." He must "put off the old man who is corrupted, and put on the new man who, according to God, is created in justice and holiness of truth." He must listen to Christ's commendation of humility, meekness and purity, and follow His stern command: "Abnega temetipsum, tolle crucem et sequere me: Deny thyself, take up thy cross and follow me." But this is not in accord with the natural inclinations of man; therefore, transformation is needed. The work of transformation must begin from the awakening of reason and must be the principal object in all education. For, as the Following of Christ has it, "when Christ our Master, comes for the final examination, he will not ask how well we spoke and disputed, but how well we lived, non quid legimus, sed quid fecimus, non quam bene diximus, sed quam religiose viximus."

In the "school of the heart" at Manresa, Ignatius had thoroughly grasped these sublime lessons. He had carried them out in his own life and made them the guiding principles of his Society. In his Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius has laid down a brief, but most