neighbour's land, where we must not look to reap any harvest; and this is mere waste of time. If our thoughts and hopes are elsewhere, it is impossible for us to set our faces steadily towards the work required of us. Jacob never really loved Leah while he was longing for Rachel. But remember, I do not say that you are not to think and hope; I only say that you are not to trifle with such matters. We may look to the place where we fain would be, but on condition that we always look onwards. The Israelites could not sing in Babylon, because they were looking back homewards, but I would have you able to sing always.

Fear is a greater pain than pain itself. O thou of little faith, what dost thou fear? Be not afraid; you walk indeed on the waves, amid the storm, but it is with Jesus; why should you fear? But if terror should come over you, cry out aloud, “Lord, help me!" He will stretch forth His Hand; hold it tightly, and go on joyfully. In short, do not philosophise over your troubles; do not argue; go on in all simplicity. God will not let you perish while you are stedfast in resolution. Let the world be turned upside down, let it be in utter darkness, in smoke, in tumult, so long as God be with us; we know that on Sinai He was surrounded with thick darkness, with thunder and lightning, and He is still near to us.

[112.]

XIX.

TO A YOUNG LADY.

CONCERNING HER VOCATION.

Dec. 14, 1C06.

I AM very glad to hear that you are growing in the love of our Lord, as M. de N➖➖➖ tells me is the case, though he only spoke generally, mentioning no details save that you wish to become a Religious. The wish is a good one, doubtless, but you must not let it disturb you, as for the present it cannot be carried out. If our Saviour wills that it should be fulfilled, He will bring it about by means of His own, which as yet we know not.

But meanwhile, do the work which concerns you at the present moment; that is to say, go on quietly with your spiritual exercises; give yourself up many times each day, both heart and mind, into God's Hands, commending your work heartily to Him; consider what daily opportunities you have of serving His Divine Majesty, whether by your own advance in holiness, or by promoting that of your neighbour, and make a faithful use of all such. You will profit greatly, my daughter, by this practice, in the Love of God. I know that you grieve sorely at being forsaken by your father; but you must say with your heart, as well as with your

I

lips, "When my father and my mother forsake me, the Lord taketh me up." Doubtless it is a cross, my child, to be thus forsaken of men, but it is a very holy cross, and one most specially calculated to win the Love of God. You must be very brave in the strength of this blessed Love, and trust wholly in the assurance we have that our Heavenly Bridegroom never fails those whose hope is in Him.

I send you a little cross, in the midst of which the martyr, Saint Thekla, is represented, to encourage you in suffering willingly for our Lord. It is not a return for your beautiful gift, but only in remembrance of the affectionate love which I bear through our Lord for your soul. I pray you commend me often to Him, as your most humble and faithful in our Holy Cross, &c.

[113.]

XX.

TO MADAME BRULART.

ANNECY, Jan. 30, 1607. You ask whether you may communicate two days running, when festivals come after your ordinary days for receiving the Blessed Sacrament. . . If it is a great festival, it should certainly be celebrated by an extra communion; for how can we keep a great day without that holy Feast? ..

'Ps. xxvii. 10.

The multitude of thoughts which trouble you should not be separately handled, you would never be able to conquer them one by one. Only from time to time (I mean several times a day) give them the lie collectively, and reject them all together, and then let the enemy make what clatter he will outside your heart, it matters not, so long as he does not come within. Be in peace yourself, though surrounded with war, and be not afraid. God is on your side. I pray Him to draw you more and more to Himself. Amen.

You are right in accusing yourself of superfluity or excess, but aim at a wise moderation, keeping to the rule of neither being less liberal or handsome in your reception of your friends than is suitable to your position and theirs, nor on the other hand exceeding that which is duly liberal. I am myself inclined to this latter fault, and have to watch against it, though of course I am in a great measure guarded and guided by ecclesiastical rules.

[115.]

XXI.

TO MADAME DE CHANTAL.

Feb. 11, 1607.

I SEE that all the seasons of the year are represented in your soul; one while you endure the winter of barrenness, distraction, repugnance, weari

ness; another time you taste the sweet dews of May, and the pleasant scent of holy blossoms; another while the warmth of an earnest desire to please our Dear Lord. Nought remains save autumn, of which you say that the fruits are scanty; but very often when the corn is threshed and the grapes pressed, we find more result than the harvest promised.

You would fain have nothing but spring and summer, but, my dear daughter, there must be vicissitudes in the interior life as well as in that which is external. Only in Heaven shall we find perpetual spring as to beauty; perpetual summer in love; perpetual autumn in fulfilment of desire. There will be no winter there, but here winter is necessary that we may practise self-abnegation, and a thousand minor graces which spring forth in the time of barrenness. Let us go on steadily, though slowly; so long as our affections are firm and good, we shall not go wrong.

No, my dear daughter, it is not necessary, in order to practise Christian graces, to be always dwelling consciously on each; such a process would confuse and hamper both your thoughts and feelings. Humility and love are the main links, to which all else is bound. Keep steady to these the highest and lowest, for the whole building depends upon the foundation and the roof. If your heart is kept in the stedfast practice of these, you will not find other