nity on man. All things serve the majesty of God; for all things were made by Him, and things made serve their maker. But, to those who are slaves, charity gives freedom, making them the friends of God. So our Lord said to His Apostles (St. John xv. 15), 'I will not now call you servants, for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth. But I have called you friends; because all things whatsoever I have heard of My Father I have made known to you. You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you.'

You will say, Was not St. Paul a servant? Did not other Apostles also write themselves servants? To that it is answered, We may be servants in two ways: a. in the way of fear; and, b. in the way of love.

a. Fear. The way of fear* is penal, and not meritorious. If any one keep from sin

*The Saint is speaking of fear 'servilely servile.' We see this from his use of the word

' only.'

only from fear of punishment, he cannot merit by that, and is still in servitude.

b. Love. The way of love is full of merit. If any one act, not from fear of justice, but for love of God, he does not act as a slave, but as a free man, for he acts voluntarily. Our Lord says, 'I will not call you servants.' Why does He say this? St. Paul gives us the answer (Rom. viii. 15). 'You have not received the spirit of bondage again in fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption of sons, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.' So St. John says (1 Ep. iv. 18), 'Fear is not in charity; but perfect charity casteth out fear, because fear hath pain.' Now love fills us with delight.

6. Sonship of God. Charity not only gives us freedom, but actually makes us children; according to St. John's teaching (1 Ep. iii. 1), 'Behold what manner of charity the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called and should be the sons of God.' A stranger becomes an adopted son, when he acquires a right of

inheritance.

Now we acquire a right to the inheritance of God, that is, to everlasting life; for it is said (Rom. viii. 16, 17), "The Spirit Himself giveth testimony to our spirit, that we are the sons of God, and, if sons, heirs also; heirs indeed of God and joint-heirs with Christ.' In another place (Wisd. v. 5) it is said, 'How are they numbered among the children of God!'

Prayers.

I.

O God, in Thee I live and without Thee I die. Thou givest me Thy Spirit that I may have life and may have it more abundantly. Keep my heart from love of earth and earthly things, and let my soul so cling to Thee that I may be one spirit with Thee. May pure love transfigure me, O my God, every day, more and more, into Thy like

ness.

O Holy Ghost, give me strength to be faithful in keeping my Creator's command

D

Thou art my Creator.

ments. Make me ever prompt in obedience. Let me be ready to bear all things and to do all things for the sake of Jesus, whom I love.

Be to me, O adorable Trinity, a safeguard against every danger. I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength. Look down upon me from heaven and give me help. O my God, let me so love Thee that all things may work together for my good, and that hard things may be sweet for Thee and for Thy sake. Let me always long for Thee and always love the coming of Jesus. Give me, O Lord of love, a crown of life in the day of the appearing of my Lord.

II.

O Jesus, let Thy sin-destroying love dwell always in my soul. Thou, in Thy graciousness, dost forgive me again and again. Give me, dear Lord, true sorrow for my sins. The more that I love Thee, the more I must grieve when I offend Thee.

O Lord, lighten my heart with Thine own brightness and the brightness of Thy Spirit, that I may always know what to believe, what to do, and what to desire. Lead me, my Saviour, in the right way. Thou art my Judge and my King. Jesus, give me joy in God; and let my soul, loving and longing, rest in Him.

Jesus, give me peace in God. Thou hast promised great peace to those who keep Thy law. Not as the world giveth, O Lord, dost Thou give Thy peace to me. In God, and only in God, can my soul find rest. O Jesus, fill my desire with all good; fill my heart with God. Teach me, my Saviour, to understand the dignity of Thy friends, and to lift up my head in Thy freedom. Do Thou fill my soul with delight, because I am a child of God, baptised into Thy mystical body, oftentimes forgiven, sanctified by Thy Spirit, fed with the Bread of life. The Spirit of love, as Thy Apostle teaches us, gives witness with our spirit that we are God's children.