There now only remains to us the last words of the daisy, _a little_! the loving fatherly answer G.o.d has given to your childish curiosity.
Accept it, and make it the motto of your life!
_A little_; moderation in wealth and fortune, a condition that promises the most peaceful life, free from anxiety for the future--doubtless requiring daily duties, but permitting many innocent enjoyments.
_A little_; moderation in our desires, contentment with what we possess, making the most of it, and repressing all vain dreams of a more brilliant position, a more extended reputation, a more famous name.
_A little_; the affection of a heart devoted to duty, and kindling joy in the family circle, composed of kindred to love, friends to cheer, poor to succor, hearts to strengthen, sufferings to alleviate.
_A little_; a taste for all that is beautiful,--books, works of art, music, not making us idly dream of fame, but simply providing enjoyment for the mind, all the more keen, as the daily toil renders the occasions rare.
Do you see, my child, how much may lie beneath those simple words, _a little_, that the daisy gave you, and that you seem so much to despise!
Never scorn anything that seems wanting in brilliancy, and remember to be really happy we must have--
More _virtue_ than knowledge, More _love_ than tenderness, More _guidance_ than cleverness, More _health_ than riches, More _repose_ than profit.
VI.
Each day is like a furrow lying before us; our thoughts, desires, and actions are the seed that each minute we drop into it, without seeming to perceive it. The furrow finished, we commence upon another, then another, and again another; each day presents a fresh one, and so on to the end of life ... sowing, ever sowing. And all we have sown springs up, grows and bears fruit, almost unknown to us; even if by chance we cast a backward glance we fail to recognize our work.
Behind us angels and demons, like gleaners, gather together in sheaves all that belongs to them.
Every night their store is increased. They preserve it, and at the last day will present it to their Master.
Is there not a thought in this that should make us reflect?
VII.
"LEARN OF ME, FOR I AM MEEK AND LOWLY OF HEART"
This is a simple rule of life for me, requiring no more than I am able; but I feel it unites me to G.o.d, makes me more devout, more faithful to duty, more ready for death. Since I have made it my rule, it has been to me a source of consolation, enlightenment, and strength; and yet G.o.d alone knows how full of pain my life has been!
Dear friends, who, like myself, long to become holy, I commend this sentence to you in all its simplicity; listen, for it comes from the loving Heart of JESUS, it fell from His gentle Lips:--
"Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly of heart."
I. BE MEEK
1. MEEK TOWARDS G.o.d
Living from day to day beneath His Eye, and where all things are ordered by a Divine Providence.
As carefully as a mother arranges the room where her child will pa.s.s the day, does G.o.d prepare each hour that opens before me. Whatever has to be done, it is His Will that I should do it; and in order that it should be done well, He provides the necessary time, intelligence, apt.i.tude, and knowledge.
Whatever of suffering presents itself, He expects me to bear it, even though I may not see any reason for it; and if the pain be so sharp as to call forth a cry, He gently whispers, "Courage, My child, for it is My will!"
If anything occurs to hinder my work, anything goes contrary to my plans and projects, He has ordained it so on purpose, because He knows that too much success would make me proud, too much ease would make me sensual; and He would teach me that the road to heaven is not _success_, but _labor and devotion_.
With such thoughts as these all rebellion is hushed! With what peace, what joy, our work may be begun, continued, interrupted, and resumed!
With what energy we reject those enemies that a.s.sail us at every hour,--idleness, haste, preoccupation, success, want of perseverance under difficulties!
Does the past sometimes rise up to trouble me with the thought of the many years spent without G.o.d?
Ah! no doubt the shame and grief are sharp and keen, but why need they disturb my peace of mind?
Has not G.o.d promised His pardon for His blessed SON"S sake, to all who truly repent and unfeignedly believe His Holy Gospel? Have I made a full avowal and entire submission? and am I not willing to fulfil whatever I am advised in G.o.d"S Name to do for the future?
Does the future in its turn seem to frighten me? I smile at the foolish fancies of my imagination; is not my future in G.o.d"S Hands?
What, when all that will befall me to-morrow, next year, ten years, twenty years hence, is ordained by Him, shall I distress myself with the thought that it may not be good for me!
LORD! be Thou my Guide, and choose my lot as may seem best to Thee!
2. MEEK UNDER ALL CIRc.u.mSTANCES
Events are messengers of either Divine goodness or justice.
Each has a mission to fulfil; and as it comes from G.o.d, why not let it be accomplished in peace?
Painful, heart-rending, though they may be, they are still the Will of G.o.d. Watch them as they come, with a little trembling, perhaps even terror, but never let them destroy in the least degree my faith and resignation.
To be meek under these circ.u.mstances, does not mean awaiting them with a stoic firmness which proceeds from pride, or hardening one"s self against them to the point of repressing all trembling. No! G.o.d allows us sometimes to antic.i.p.ate, postpone, or even when possible flee them; at any rate, we may try to soothe and soften them a little.
The GOOD FATHER, when He sends them, sends at the same time the means by which they may be endured, and perhaps averted.
_Remedies_, in sickness.
_Love_, in trouble.
_Devotion_, in privations.
_Comfort_, in weakness.
_Tears_, in sorrow.
G.o.d has created all these; and knowing perhaps that I may fail to find them, He has given commandment to some privileged servants to love, console, soothe, and help me, saying to them,--
"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it as unto Me."
Oh! welcome then the friendly voice that in the midst of trouble speaks to me of hope; I will receive with grat.i.tude the care that affection presses upon me.
With thankfulness I accept the _time_ devoted to me, _privation_ borne for my sake; and I will pray G.o.d to bless these kind friends, and ask Him to say to them words such as these: "All that thou hast done for Mine, I will repay thee a hundred-fold."