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I am taking this opportunity to tell you about the sentiments of
one of our society concerning the admirable effects and continual
assistance he receives from the presence of God. May we both
profit by them.
For the past forty years his continual care has been to be always
with God; and to do nothing, say nothing, and think nothing which
may displease Him. He does this without any view or motive except
pure love of Him and because God deserves infinitely more.
He is now so accustomed to that Divine presence that he receives
from it continual comfort and peace. For about thirty years his
soul has been filled with joy and delight so continual, and
sometimes so great, that he is forced to find ways to hide their
appearing outwardly to others who may not understand.
If sometimes he becomes a little distracted from that Divine
presence, God gently recalls Himself by a stirring in his soul.
This often happens when he is most engaged in his outward chores
and tasks. He answers with exact fidelity to these inward
drawings, either by an elevation of his heart towards God, or by a
meek and fond regard to Him, or by such words as love forms upon
these occasions. For instance, he may say, "My God, here I am all
devoted to You," or "Lord, make me according to Your heart."
It seems to him (in fact, he feels it) that this God of love,
satisfied with such few words, reposes again and rests in the
depth and center of his soul. The experience of these things gives
him such certainty that God is always in the innermost part of his
soul that he is beyond doubting it under any circumstances.
Judge by this what content and satisfaction he enjoys. While he
continually finds within himself so great a treasure, he no longer
has any need to search for it. He no longer has any anxiety about
finding it because he now has his beautiful treasure open before
him and may take what he pleases of it.
He often points out our blindness and exclaims that those who
content themselves with so little are to be pitied. God, says he,
has infinite treasure to bestow, and we take so little through
routine devotion which lasts but a moment. Blind as we are, we
hinder God, and stop the current of His graces. But when He finds
a soul penetrated with a lively faith, He pours into it His graces
and favors plentifully. There they flow like a torrent, which,
after being forcibly stopped against its ordinary course, when it
has found a passage, spreads itself with impetuosity and
abundance.
Yet we often stop this torrent by the little value we set upon it.
Let us stop it no more. Let us enter into ourselves and break down
the bank which hinders it. Let us make way for grace. Let us
redeem the lost time, for perhaps we have but little left. Death
follows us close so let us be well prepared for it. We die but
once and a mistake there is irretrievable.
I say again, let us enter into ourselves. The time presses. There
is no room for delay. Our souls are at stake. It seems to me that
you are prepared and have taken effectual measures so you will not
be taken by surprise. I commend you for it. It is the one thing
necessary. We must always work at it, because not to persevere in
the spiritual life is to go back. But those who have the gale of
the Holy Spirit go forward even in sleep. If the vessel of our
soul is still tossed with winds and storms, let us awake the Lord
who reposes in it. He will quickly calm the sea.
I have taken the liberty to impart to you these good sentiments
that you may compare them with your own. May they serve to
re-kindle them, if at any time they may be even a little cooled.
Let us recall our first favors and remember our early joys and
comforts. And, let us benefit from the example and sentiments of
this brother who is little known by the world, but known and
extremely caressed by God.
I will pray for you. Please pray also for me, as I am yours in our
Lord.
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