The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1874-10-18


vain and amorous writings, which, "by substi-
tuting falsehood for true history, and foolish,
idle amusement instead of solid instruction,
destroy in the mind that laudabls thirst after
truth which the author of nature imprinted in
it, and which inspire a baneful love of trifes,
vanity and folly. These empoisoned lectures
change all the good inclinations person has
received from nature and a virtuous education,
they chill, by little and little, pious desires,
and in a short time Danish out of the soul all
that was there of solidity and virtue. By them
young girls, on a sudden, lose q habit Of re-
servedness and modesty, take an air of vanity
and make show of no other ardor than for
those things which the world esteems and
which God abominates."
ST. Theresa also earnestly exhorts young
people to shun evil companions, and by evil
companions she includes such persons as con-
verse only upon topics of slander, coquetry and
vanity.
Alas! who does not know that the young
women of the age spend their hours of leisure
in discussing the trimmings of their newest
dress, and the accomplishments of their latest
admirer. Frivolity is the order of the day,
and fortunate indeed is the soul which, while
immersed in its shallowness, does not sin
against charity and chastity.
Our Saint is also model to young women in
regard to her constant charity and goodness
towards all persons. We are apt to think of
st. Theresa as of one possessed of such q
strong will and of such eminent sanctity, that
we cannot realize how she found time to con-
ciliate her enemies and gain the good will and
esteem of all with whom she lived or con-
versed.
Nowadays young people are inclined to ar
rogance even with their equals, but with their
interiors their manner is too often harsh and
contemptuous. Kindness is a Christian virtue
unknown to the ancients, and characteristic
only of the true follower of Christ. It enters
into all our thoughts, words, and actions, and
is the perfect solution of the golden rule: "Do
unto others as you would wish them to do to
you.n co.
communities were bitterly opposed to her
ness and prudence to win the hearts of her op-
ponents, and thus easily succeeded in remodel
ling them to virtue and discipline.
AS lover of truth and humility her example
shines pre-eminent. She used to say that our
the great lover of truth, for humility is a GER
are, and that We have no good of ourselves.
Her worldly prudence arose from her perfect
confidence in God. She made use of all the
human means within her power, for to act
otherwise would be tempting the goodness of
God but she had recourse to the succors of
the world to place no part of her conf
dence in them, and she says of them: "I per-
ceive clearly they are all no better than 30
tuy;rr sc l,,o
is no leaning upon them: for upon the least
weight of contradiction resting upon them
they are presently broken. have learned
this by experience, that the true remedy
against our falling is to lean on the Cross and
to trust in Him who was fastened to it,"
On her spirit of prayer, her raptures, her
visions and other supernatural favors, we will
not descaut, for we desire only to dwell upon
those virtues and qualities which should be
practiced by all persons; and as great Saints
are often looked upon only to be admired, we
wish to show that in maay respects they may
be initiated also, without any detriment to
worldly advantages.
Her patience under Affections of every kind
such as prosecutions, maladies, oppositions,
ETC., should encourage all who bear these same
crosses, to initiate her heroic example.
At one time her body was 80 broken by
disease, and her sinews so contracted, that for
many long months, she could only crawl about
upon her hands aud feet. During the years
when she was most Jealous in introducing her
reforms into monastic establishments, her very
friends Stunned her as one having dealings
with the Devil; and even when God was mani
Testing His favors to her in wonderful man
ner' many Jealous persons opposed, as much as
lay in their power, the pious desires of her
soul, and the holy enterprises undertaken by |
the divine command. Yet, in. spite of all these
trials, her patience never faltered, her charity
never wavered, aud her obedience never MUIR |
INJURED. She called obedience the short and |
sure road TO perfection, saying that she might |
be deceived by her revelations, but abe could |
not DO deceived by the voice of her superiors |
The APPROPRIATIONS of her writings are too |
long to be inserted here; but they are given
by the holiest and most learned of the Doctors |
Of the Church. 1t has been said "she discovers |