But what has this allegory, however true, to do with All Saints' Day?
My dear boys, on all days Wisdom calls you to her feast, by many
weighty arguments, by many loving allurements, by many awful threats.
But on this day, of all the year, she calls you by the memory of the
example of those who sit already and for ever at her feast. By the
memory and example of the wise of every age and every land, she bids
you enter in and feast with them, on the wealth which she, and they,
her faithful servants, have prepared for you. They have laboured;
and they call you, in their mistress's name, to enter into their
labours. She taught them wisdom, and she calls on you to learn
wisdom of them in turn.
Remember, I say, this day, with humility and thankfulness of heart,
the wise who are gone home to their rest.
There are many kinds of noble personages amid the blessed company of
All Saints, whom I might bid you to remember this day. Some of you
are the sons of statesmen or lawyers. I might call on you to thank
God for your fathers, and for every man who has helped to make or
execute wise laws. Some of you are the sons of soldiers. I might
call on you to thank God for your fathers, and for all who have
fought for duty and for their country's right. Some of you are the
sons of clergymen.
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