To what would you bring us? Are men to trample us under foot, insult us, make mere puppets of us, tear away our very garments, and are we to keep silence? Yes, indeed-all this-I would have it so; yet, not I, but Jesus Christ speaking by me. Listen to His Apostle, who exclaims, "Even unto this present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are naked and buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place; being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it; being defamed, we intreat; we are made as the filth of the world, and are the ofïscouring of all things unto this day." The inhabitants of Babylon do not understand this doctrine, but those who dwell upon Mount Calvary follow it.

I

I can fancy, dear child, that I hear you say, Oh, Father, you have become very severe all of a sudden." It is not suddenly at all events, for ever since God gave me grace to know anything of the Cross, this conviction took hold of my soul, and has never varied. If I have not lived consistently with it, that has been my own weakness, not lack of conviction; the world's clamour may have made me do the external wrong which I loathed in my heart, and it humbles me while I whisper these words into your ear, dear child. I never gave back ill for ill save à contre cœur. I have not examined

1 I. Cor. iv. 11-13.

my conscience specifically, but so far as I can tell, generally speaking, I think this is true, and I am all the more inexcusable.

My child, I am writing hurriedly; this letter has been twice resumed, and love is not always prudent or discreet; it is apt to hurry on. There are so many honourable, wise, kind, good people about you, cannot some of them bring Madame de C. . . . and Madame de L. . . . to reason, so that you may arrange matters? Are they tigresses who cannot hear reason? Have you not M. N. . . . whose wisdom in all things is so sure? Would not M. de ... charitably help you in such a Christian work of peacemaking? Or the good Père... would he not rejoice to serve God in this matter, which really affects the welfare of your soul, and at all events must hinder your spiritual progress? What a string of artifices, secularities, dishonesties, perhaps lies! what endless little quiet bits of injustice, almost imperceptible calumnies, occur in such a maze of legal proceedings! One would think you were going to be married, or to live in the world and wished to keep up your position, that you require this and that! What will be the result of all this swarm of worldly thoughts and considerations? Leave the things of this world to worldly men; what do you want with them? Two thousand crowns or less is ample pro

vision for one who serves a Crucified Saviour! A hundred and fifty crowns is an all-sufficient income for one who believes in Apostolic poverty! "But if I am not an inclosed nun, if I only reside associated with some monastery, I shall not be able to keep up any position, or have any attendants." Well, did you ever hear that our Lady had any? What does it matter whether people know that you are of a good worldly house if you belong to God's House? "Oh, but I should like to found some good work, or at least to help on some religious house. I am but feeble in body, and that would ensure me a better reception." Indeed, my dearest child, I knew that your piety was but a scaffolding to self-love, it is so pitifully earthly. No, forsooth, we will none of the Cross, unless it be of gold, well chased and enamelled. It is a very lordly, though most devout and admirable spiritual piece of abjection to be looked upon in a congregation as its foundress, or at least as its benefactress. Why, Lucifer himself might have remained in Heaven at this rate! But to live upon alms, as our Lord lived, to accept charity when we are sick, being as we are high born and proud, this is very difficult and hard to bear! True, it is hard to man, but not to the Son of God, and He will work in you. "But is it not well to keep one's own property and use it as one will for

Letters.

Y

my

God's Service." The words "as one will" explain the secret of our difference. "Well then, as you will, dear Father, for I am your dutiful child." Ah, then, will is that you should be satisfied with whatever M. and Madame de . . ... decide on, and that you give up the rest for the Love of God, and your neighbours' edification, and the peace of mind of your sisters. In this way you will really devote it to the good of mankind, and to the promotion of God's Glory. Oh, my dearest child, what blessings, what graces, what spiritual riches will pour in upon your soul if you do thus. You will abound and overflow; God will bless the little you have, and abundantly satisfy you. Indeed it is not hard to Him to do as much with five barley loaves as Solomon could do with all his train of purveyors.

Be at peace.

Ever your most devoted father, &c.

[796.]

CXLIII.

TO A YOUNG LADY. ON MEEKNESS.

MAY God's Blessing be on you, my dear child; I send these few words according to my promise.

You should make a special point of asking God every morning to give you, before all else, that true spirit of meekness which He would have His children

possess. You must also make a firm resolution to practise yourself in this virtue, especially in your intercourse with those two persons to whom you chiefly owe it. You must make it your main object to conquer yourself in this matter; call it to mind a hundred times during the day, commending your efforts to God. It seems to me that no more than this is needed in order to subject your soul entirely to His Will, and then you will become more gentle day by day, trusting wholly in His Goodness. You will be very happy, my dearest child, if you can do this, for God will dwell in your heart, and where He reigns all is peace. But if you should fail, and commit some of your old faults, do not be disheartened, but rise up and go on again, as though you had not fallen. This life is short, it is given to us for no other end than the attainment of a better life, and you will make a good use of it if you are meek and gentle towards those with whom God has bound you. Pray for my soul, that God may draw it to Himself. I am, &c.

I had noticed the little disturbance which has troubled you during the last few days, and the