Page:Czecho-Slovak Student Life, Volume 18.djvu/368

mediately ordered the Bishop of Salzburg to release his prisoner and ordered those concerned with the affair to do strict penance.

Methodius, immediately after his release, returned to Moravia and entered upon the most effective period of his career. In 874 Bořivoj, the Czech prince, came to Velehrad and embraced the Catholic faith. Their leader’s example and the efforts of the priest Methodius sent with Bořivoj led to the rapid Christianizing of the Czechs. The zealous apostle, however, again went to Rome to justify himself (c. 879) when the orthodoxy of his teaching was questioned, the German bishops accusing him of propagating the heretical doctrines of Photius. Again he vindicated his use of Slavonic in sermon and liturgy and received warm praise from the Pope for his devotion and zeal. He was made archbishop of the Slavonic countries and given supreme ecclesiastical authority therein.

On his return from the Holy City, Methodius continued his apostolic labors, despite bitter opposition, for five more years. He died April 6, 885, after twenty two years among the Slavs, and was buried at Velehrad, Czechoslovakia.

Concerning the two saintly brothers and their activities, perhaps the last word has been said by the eminent Italian, Abbot Peter Pressati. “In Cyrill and Methodius,” he says, “is personified all that is dearest and best in Slav history.”

Dr. A. R. Nykl, professor of modern languages at Marquette University: “Thank you for the January issue of “Student Life” which in every respect is a credit to the student body and the instructors.”

Msgr. J. B. Dudek, chancellor of Oklahoma Diocese: “I congratulate you on the excellent little magazine you are putting out.”

Rev. Jos. W. Husnik, pastor, Superior, Wis.: “There remains yet a vast multitude in our glorious U. S. A. and elsewhere who are very little acquainted with us. Hence, it is a noble work that the S. L. is performing in making us better known.”

Mr. Thomas Vodicka, associate editor of the “Hlas” newspaper: “At first I did not like your change, but now I realize it is for the good of our Czechoslovak cause.”

Rev. V. Mlejnek, rector of Sts. Peter and Paul church, Able, Neb.: “At first I was somewhat disappointed to find that the S. L. is not in Bohemian, but now I see that it is going to perform a great missionary task among the Americans, who can now find out that the people of our nationality are among the leading cultured people of the world. I read the S. L. from cover to cover.”

Most of the seventy-four Czech newspapers and magazines in America published several favorable reviews of the S. L. in their columns.

Dr. Frank Thone, associate editor of Science Service Monthly: “I think you are doing a very good work in getting students posted regarding prominent men of their own racial group; it will set them on their mettle to make the most of their lives also.”