In most of the chapels are to be found some of the very best pictures of the Spanish school; and in particular many of the master-pieces of Murillo, a native of Seville.Of all the pictures of this extraordinary man, one of the least celebrated is that which has always wrought on me the most profound impression.I allude to the Guardian Angel (ANGEL DE LAGUARDIA), a small picture which stands at the bottom of the church, and looks up the principal aisle.The angel, holding a flaming sword in his right hand, is conducting the child.This child is, in my opinion, the most wonderful of all the creations of Murillo; the form is that of an infant about five years of age, and the expression of the countenance is quite infantine, but the tread - it is the tread of a conqueror, of a God, of the Creator of the universe; and the earthly globe appears to tremble beneath its majesty.
The service of the cathedral is in general well attended, especially when it is known that a sermon is to be preached.
All these sermons are extemporaneous; some of them are edifying and faithful to the Scriptures.I have often listened to them with pleasure, though I was much surprised to remark, that when the preachers quoted from the Bible, their quotations were almost invariably taken from the apocryphal writings.There is in general no lack of worshippers at the principal shrines -women for the most part - many of whom appear to be animated with the most fervent devotion.
I had flattered myself, previous to my departure from Madrid, that I should experience but little difficulty in the circulation of the Gospel in Andalusia, at least for a time, as the field was new, and myself and the object of my mission less known and dreaded than in New Castile.It appeared, however, that the government at Madrid had fulfilled its threat, transmitting orders throughout Spain for the seizure of my books wherever found.The Testaments that arrived from Madrid were seized at the custom-house, to which place all goods on their arrival, even from the interior, are carried, in order that a duty be imposed upon them.Through the management of Antonio, however, I procured one of the two chests, whilst the other was sent down to San Lucar, to be embarked for a foreign land as soon as I could make arrangements for that purpose.
I did not permit myself to be discouraged by this slight CONTRETEMPS, although I heartily regretted the loss of the books which had been seized, and which I could no longer hope to circulate in these parts, where they were so much wanted;but I consoled myself with the reflection, that I had still several hundred at my disposal, from the distribution of which, if it pleased the Lord, a blessed harvest might still proceed.