You wish for some practical rule.

I. Make your daily meditation not longer than a good half-hour, and end it with considering our Lord's obedience to God the Father; you will find that all He did was done with reference to His Father's Will; and, studying that, you will seek to acquire a deeper love of that Will.

II. Before entering upon any irksome tasks to which you are called, remember how cheerfully the Saints performed far greater and harder things; how some suffered the loss of all worldly honour, others death itself. S. Francis, and many others, kissed the wounds of those they visited; some lived in deserts, others dwelt amid galley-slaves in order to convert them, and all alike in order to please God. What are any of our difficulties compared with such as these?

III. Remember often that the true measure of all we do is its conformity with God's Will. If I eat and drink because it is God's Will, I am more acceptable to Him than if I suffered death without any such intention.

IV. I would have you invoke God often through the day, asking Him to kindle a love for your vocation within you, and saying with S. Paul, "Lord, what wouldst Thou have me to do?" Wouldst Thou have me serve Thee in the lowest ministries of Thy House? too happy if I may but serve Thee anyhow. And

when any special thing goes against you, ask "Wouldst Thou have me do it?" then, unworthy though I be, I will do it gladly. So doing, you will grow in humility, and acquire a treasure greater than you can possibly imagine.

more.

V. Remember how many Saints have been formed in your vocation,' and with what gentleness and resignation they submitted to it:-Sarah, Rebecca, S. Anne, S. Elizabeth, S. Monica, S. Paula, and many Our business is to love what God would have done. He wills our vocation as it is: let us love that, and not trifle away our time hankering after other people's vocation. Strive to combine the duties of Mary and Martha; be diligent in your active calling, and often retire within yourself, placing your soul at the Saviour's Feet, saying, "Lord, Whether I move onwards or stand still, I am Thine and Thou art mine; all I do shall be done for love of Thee." You will hear Mass daily, and read some spiritual book for half an hour. In the evening make your examination of conscience, and all through the day use ejaculatory prayer. Read the "Spiritual Combat" diligently; I recommend it strongly to you. On Sundays and festivals you can attend vespers and sermon, but not as being constrained to do so. Go every week to confession, and when anything troubles

i.e. of married life.

your conscience. As to Communion, if it displeases your husband, for the present abide by the rule I gave you at St. Claude; be firm, and make spiritual Communions; God will accept your preparation of heart.' Remember what I have so often told you, and do honour to your devotion by making it acceptable to all who know you, especially to your own family, so that every one may be attracted to it. When contra

dictions arise, resign yourself to them in our Lord, and take comfort, remembering that His favour is upon those who are holy, or who are seeking to become holy. I think much of you. God knows I never forget you or your family in my poor prayers; you are deeply graven in my soul. May God be in your heart and life.

You ask a remedy in the trouble arising from temptations of Satan concerning the Faith and the Church. Such temptations must be dealt with like those of the flesh, without discussion; rather imitating the children of Israel, who were forbidden to

'From other letters it appears that M. Brulart objected to his wife's communicating frequently.

break the bones of the Paschal Lamb, which they were to burn whole. You should not answer, or seem even to hear what the enemy says. Let him hammer as he will at the door, do not you ever say so much as, Who is there? You reply that this is true, yet nevertheless he troubles you, and drowns the inner voices you fain would hear. Never mind, be patient. Prostrate yourself before God, and remain at His Feet. He will see that you are His, and that you claim His Help, even when you cannot speak. But beware that you never open the door, either to peep out and see what it is, or to drive away the clamour. In time he will be weary of assaulting you, and will leave you in peace. You say that it is time, forsooth, he did! Be brave, it will come. So long as he does not effect an entrance, it matters not. But, indeed, it is a good sign when the enemy storms so lustily at the door; it proves that he is not attaining his end. If he had attained it he would not clamour any more, he would go in and be satisfied. Keep this in mind, so as to avoid scruples.

Temptations con

I will give you another remedy. cerning the Faith aim directly at the understanding, seeking to draw it into discussion, and to make it question and speculate. Now while the enemy is striving to scale the fortress of your intellect, do you make a sortie through the gates of the will, and

charge him roundly. In other words, when you are tempted to question, How can this be? and if so and so, How can this other be? instead of tampering with your foe by discussing the matter, cry out with heart and voice, Traitor! fallen angel! thou wouldst have me to fall! As thou didst offer the fatal apple to Eve, so now thou biddest me taste thereof! Get behind me, Satan; it is written, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." I will neither dispute nor argue; Eve argued and was lost. I believe in Jesus, I cling to His Church.

Do you understand me? I would have you entrench yourself in affections rather than reasons; in passions, rather than considerations. It is true that in such times of temptation the troubled spirit is very dry, but so much the better; its blows will be all the harder to the enemy, who will discover that he is forwarding your progress, and confirming your faith by his assaults. After all, these temptations are like any other trials, and must be borne patiently. Holy Writ says, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation : for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life." I have rarely seen any one make much progress without having some such trial, and you must be patient. After the storm God will send a calm. . . In your general rule, if you omit anything I have 1James, i. 12.

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