and set out unprepared; but those who have foreseen their coming departure should hold themselves ready, -not in order to start before the appointed time, but to await it with calmness. To this end I think you would find great comfort in taking a fixed time daily for consideration, as before God and your Guardian Angel, as to what is necessary to a blessed departure. How would you have your affairs stand if it be near? I know that such thoughts are nothing new to you, but they should be renewed in the Presence of God, made with calm attention, and rather so as to excite the affections than the intellect.

I have benefited by your fine library: from it I would suggest, as your spiritual reading on this subject, S. Ambrose, "De bono Mortis;" S. Bernard, "De interiori domo," and sundry of S. Chrysostom's Homilies. S. Bernard says that the soul departing to God should first kiss the Feet of the Crucified by purging his affections, and heartily, though gradually, withdrawing himself from the world and its vanities; then His Hands, by the renewal of actions which is the result of changed affections; then His Mouth, uniting himself to his All-gracious Saviour by ardent love. We are told that Alexander the Great, when at sea, discovered Arabia Felix by the scent of its aromatic herbs and trees; even so those who seek a Heavenly Country, while yet on the broad ocean of life, inhale

the sweet odours of Paradise, which cheer and encourage them in their voyage thither, but they must ever keep to windward, lest it fail. We owe ourselves to God, to our country, our relations, our friends—to God first, and our Heavenly Country has a stronger claim than our natural country; then to our relations, but no one is so near a relation as oneself; to our friends, but your closest friend is you. S. Paul says to Timothy, "Attende tibi et gregi; " then "gregi."

first "tibi,"

Enough, dear Sir, if not too much for this year, which is fast speeding away, and which, in two short months, will be for ever gone, like its predecessors. May God fill your remaining years with His

blessings.

I remain with a most filial affection, yours, &c.

[64.]

VIII.

TO THE ABBESSE DU PUITS D'ORBE.

IN SICKNESS.

1604.

As to meditation, I beg that you will not be disturbed if sometimes, or indeed often, you find no comfort in it; go on quietly in humility and patience, without straining your mind. Use a book when your

I

English Version, "Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine."-I. Tim. iv. 16.

spirit grows weary; that is, read a little, and then go on meditating to the end of your half-hour. Saint Theresa began thus, and as we are talking in confidence, I may add that I have tried the plan myself, and find it answer. Take it as a rule that the grace of meditation is not to be won by mental effort, only by a gentle, loving perseverance, full of humility.

As to the hour of going to bed, you must allow me to abide by my opinion; but if you cannot stay in bed as long as the others, I will allow you to get up an hour earlier. Indeed, dear Sister, you cannot think how harmful it is to sit up late at night, or how seriously it weakens the brain. People do not feel this while they are young, but they find it out afterwards, and many have made themselves useless in this way.

I fear the operation on your leg will be very suffering, but be brave-we belong to Jesus Christ, and suffering is His badge. Try and think that the surgeon's knife is one of the nails which pierced His Feet.

. . You say that I may imagine how little you can serve God while confined to your bed, but indeed, my dear Sister, I think otherwise. When did our Saviour offer His greatest service to His Father? Surely when hanging on the Cross, with pierced Hands and Feet. And how did He serve God? By suffering, and offering His sufferings as a sweet perfume to His Father. And

such is the service you can offer to God as you lie upon your bed; you will suffer, and offer your sufferings to His Majesty. He will be with you in this trial, and will comfort you.

He sends your cross; embrace, cherish it for love of Him. David said in his trouble, "I became dumb and opened not my mouth, for it was Thy doing;" as though to say, "Were it from some other hand, I should reject it, but being Thine, I am silent, I accept, I revere my sorrow."

Do not doubt but that I will pray our Lord for you, that as He causes you to be a partaker of His sufferings, He will fill you also with His own patience. I shall be with you in spirit through it all. But here is a precious balm to soothe your pain :-Every day take a few drops of the Precious Blood from our Saviour's pierced Feet, and by meditation apply it to your pain, invoking the sweet Name of Jesus, which is "as ointment poured forth; "I and the smart will be lessened. Your obedience to your physician will be accepted by God, and remembered at the day of reckoning.

I Cant. i. 3.

[65.]

IX.

TO THE ABBESSE DU PUITS D'ORBE.

ON MEDITATION AND PRAYER.

SALES, Oct. 9, 1604.

ALWAYS begin meditation by placing yourself in the Presence of God, invoking Him, and offering Him the mystery to be meditated. After the usual considerations always make some affective acts and resolutions; then an act of thanksgiving, of oblation, and prayer. Meditation on the four last things will be useful to you, but, my daughter, I beg that all such meditations may be ended by hope and confidence in God, not by fear and terror-in which case they are dangerous. When you have considered the greatness of Eternity and its pains, and have kindled your fear thereof, and have resolved to serve God better, you should turn to the Saviour on the Cross, and, flying to Him with outstretched arms, embrace His Feet. "I am Thine, O save me!" and leave off filled with this affection, thanking our Lord for His Precious Blood; offering It to His Father, and imploring Him to apply It to yourself. But do not fail always to end with hope, otherwise you will not profit by such meditations; and keep it as a perpetual rule that you should never leave off prayer save with confidence-a virtue most needful to

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