How often, in the presence of one deeply loved, but, alas! estranged from G.o.d, the heart of mother or wife has felt a sudden impulse to say an earnest word, propose an act of devotion, to paint in glowing colors the blessings of faith and the happiness of virtue ... and she has stopped, deterred by an irresistible fear of how the words may be received; and she says to herself, poor woman, "To-morrow I shall be braver."
Poor mother! poor wife! go and tell to your Heavenly FATHER all you would, but _dare_ not, say to the loved one who gives you so much pain.
Lay that sin-sick soul before the LORD, as long ago they laid the paralytic man who could not, or perhaps _would_ not, be led to Him.
Plead for him with the long-suffering SAVIOUR, as you would plead with an earthly master, upon whom depended all his future welfare, and say to Him simply, "LORD, have patience with him yet a little longer."
Tell G.o.d of all your anxiety, your discouragements, the means employed for success.
Ask Him to teach you what to say and how to act. One sentence learned of G.o.d in prayer will do more for the conversion of a soul than all our poor human endeavors. _That_ sentence will escape our lips involuntarily. We may not remember that we have said it, but it will sink deep into the heart, making a lasting impression, and silently fulfilling its mission.
You are, perhaps, surprised, after many years, to see such poor results.
Ah! how little can you judge!...
Do you know what you have gained? In the first place, time--often a physical impossibility to sin, which you may attribute to chance, but which was, in reality, the work of Providence; and is it nothing, one sin the less, in the life of an immortal soul?... Then a vague uneasiness which will soon allow of no rest, a confidence which may enable you to sympathize, more liberty left you for the exercise of religious acts; you no longer see the contemptuous smile at your acts of devotion. Is all this _nothing_?
Ah! if, while on your knees praying for the one you would have reconciled to G.o.d, you could but see what is pa.s.sing in his soul,--the wrestlings, the remorse he strives vainly to stifle; if you could see the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart, gently but firmly triumphing over the will, how earnestly, how incessantly, would you continue to pray!
Only have patience to wait--perseverance not to grow weary.
It is the want of patience that often makes us exacting towards those we desire to help.
More haste, less speed, is an old saying; the more we are exacting, the less likely are we to succeed.
Men like to act freely, and to have the credit of their actions.
It is because we have not learned to persevere that the work seems never to progress.
Courage, then! the ground may seem too dry for cultivation, but each prayer will be as a drop of water; the marble may be very hard, but each prayer is like the hammer"s stroke that wears away its roughness.
XXVII.
The sweet peace of G.o.d bears the outward token of resignation.
When the Holy Spirit dwells within us everything seems bright.
Everything may not be exactly as we would wish it, but we accept all with a good grace.... For instance, some change in our household or mode of living upsets us. If G.o.d is with us, He will whisper, "Yield cheerfully thy will; in a little while all will be forgotten."
Some command or employment wounds our pride; if G.o.d is with us, He will say to us, "Be submissive, and _I_ will come to thine aid."
We may dislike a certain neighborhood; the society there may be repulsive to us, and we are about to become morbid: G.o.d will tell us to continue gracious and smiling, for He will recompense the little annoyances we may experience. If you would discern in whom G.o.d"S Spirit dwells, watch that person, and notice whether you ever hear him murmur.
XXVIII.
I WANT TO BE HOLY
Heavenly Father, aid Thy child, who longs to become holy!
But then, I must be patient under humiliation, let myself be forgotten, and be even pleased at feeling myself set aside.
_Never mind! I am resolved; I wish to be holy!_
But I must never excuse myself, never be impatient, never out of temper.
_Never mind! I am resolved; I wish to be holy!_
Then I must continually be doing violence to my feelings,--submitting my will always to that of my superiors, never contentious, never sulky, finishing every work begun, in spite of dislike or ennui.
_Never mind! I am resolved; I wish to be holy!_
But then, I must be always charitable towards all around me; loving them, helping them to the utmost of my power, although it may cause me trouble.
_Never mind! I am resolved; I wish to be holy!_
But I must constantly strive against the cowardice, sloth, and pride of my nature, renouncing the world, the vanity that pleases, the sensuality that rejoices me, the antipathy that makes me avoid those I do not like.
_Never mind! I am resolved; I still wish to be holy!_
Then, I shall have to experience long hours of weariness, sadness, and discontent. I shall often feel lonely and discouraged.
_Never mind! I am resolved; I wish to be holy!_ for then I shall have Thee always with me, ever near me. LORD, help me, for I want to be holy!
HOW TO BECOME HOLY
Oh! it is quite easy, if I fulfil every duty to the best of my ability; and many who had no more to do than I have become saints.
One day is the same as another. Prayer, worldly business, calls to be devout, charitable, and faithful,--these are the duties that each hour brings in its turn; and if I am faithful in their fulfilment, G.o.d will be always ready to help me, and then what signifies a little ennui, pain, or misfortune?
THE SANCTIFICATION OF DAILY DUTIES
I will perform them as in G.o.d"S sight, conscious that He is present, and smiling on my efforts.
I will perform each as if I had but one to accomplish, striving to render it as perfect as possible.
I will fulfil each duty as if upon that one alone depended my salvation.