The moment we came in sight of the city Brother Martin prostrated himself on the earth, and, lifting up his hands to heaven, exclaimed—
"Hail, sacred Rome! thrice sacred for the blood of the martyrs here shed."
And now we are within the sacred walls, lodged in the Augustinian monastery, near to the northern gate, through which we entered, called by the Romans the "Porta del Popolo."
Already Brother Martin has celebrated a mass in the convent church.
And to-morrow we may kneel where apostles and martyrs stood!
We may perhaps even see the holy father himself!
Are we indeed nearer heaven here?
It seems to me as I felt God nearer that night in the Black Forest.
There is so much tumult, and movement, and pomp around us in the great city.
When, however, I feel it more familiar and home-like, perhaps it will seem more heaven-like.