The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-07-25

perfect order. Through lte doors anu wiz
we catch q glimpse of the brightness and CON
tent which reign within, while its exser,or
beauty attracts the admiration OF every pssser
by: A.. a.,l;n;np
years of life, we find that his old age 10 TO
specsed, for he has been able TO porcnase
friends with "the manmon OF iniqnity, as
the Scripture styles riches. His money secures
him comfort and Injuries, and even shoulo
pecuniary misfortunes overtske him, he has
provided means by which to repair his losses.
When bound down with the burden OF years
and growing infrmities, weak and helpless, in
one sense of the word, we still find him,
throu Oh the influence of his money, strong and
powerful, able to commend me ne a services Oh
How different 10 the course pursued by MIN
who ia imprndent in worldly matters and in
different to the acqnisition OF wealth: ne ooeS
not seek for opportunities of advaneing his In
terests or he permits those which do occur TO
While his wiser neighbor is scheming and
and enjoying the present. If Fortune, the
ackle goddess, thrusts her favors upon him, he
knows not how to employ them, and we see
throwing them Away II Which
time will bring, he makes no provision for the
future; while the friends he has fall away
from him in the fear that he will become o
burden to them in his old age.
His garments become threadbare, his house
falls into ruin, and even his health gives
evidence of his worldly foolishness. He has
suitable for the winters cold, or summers heat
He sees the dilapidation of his home, but is
unable to'repair it. At one time door falls
| from its fastenings, at another winoow Is
shattered to pieces, while later, the planks of
| the flooring give way, and in a short while the
! whole place ia a perfect wreck.
| He loses the respect and esteem of all who
know him, and his miserable career Is at last
| ended in q poor-house hospital.
| Every one can contrast the conduct of these
| two men; but while one is admired for his
| worldly wisdom, the other is scorned TOR DIS
| want of prudent foresight.
| One enriched himself in the favorable To-
| ment provided for the emergencies of this
life and strengthened himself against the DAY
| of weakness and old age.
| The other allowed opportunities OF making
| money to escape him, or wilfully impoverished
| himself when wealth was in his hands, ana
| therefore be finds himself without friends,
| home or influence in the dark days OF his ex-
| istence.
Are not these two men prototypes of the
Christian soul in regard TO the acqulsi hon OF
that spiritual money, the riches Of Gods
The soul. wise in the knowledge of the
Saints, is eager to discover means OF amasslng
spiritual wealth, aud avails itself of the most
| trivial opportunities that arise. 1t may be q
good book, an unexpected sermon, the sight of q
crucifx; but each is chance OF getting o
r little grace, of earning some of that money
which is stamped with the seal of eternity.
J When finer opportunities present them
selves,-a Jubilee, mission, the sacraments
|
J herein a golden chance of increasing bis
spiritual store, until, at last, every moment OF
his life is devoted to the accumulation of tina,
, fortune which he has SO much at heart.
, And once possessed of these spiritual riches
how good q use he makes of them ! With them
he improves the health of his spiritual being
| and purchases for it the beautiful garments o.
o innocence and truth. His soul, mans true
house. is built up in fortitude and peace, and
3 through it's shining windows, the eyes of the
9 body, we catch glimpse of the joy and order
~ ln tnln vtnrb, ant ar
appearance in keeping with this wealth OF
= grace.
If misfortunes befall him, physical weakness
y or mental auxieties, he has stock of Treasures
{: from which to draw at will. The accumulated
. patience of better days supports the trials o.
the present, and the acquired riches of faith
{ and hope and charity repair the losses brough
n about by time and circumstances.
In old age, the aff1ence of grace boarded nj
q in youth, renews his strength and embellishe
!, his life, so that bile the body falls into weak
ness and decay, the soul grows strong ant
D fears not even the destroyer, Death.
o Angels and the saints of God wait upon hi
O tottering steps, and his very feebleness i
strong, through the power of his riches, sine
q | it enlists the loving interest of his God.
r. On! how different is the course pursued b.
one Indifferent TO the riches of Heaven
II treasury, and wasteful of its precious coin
q For him, the golden opportunities come and &c
rich chances of investment pass him by, ant
ID the fortune which he neglects, is at last be
yond bis reach.
y How the rich robes of baptismal innocenc
lose their lustre, and fall in tatters at his feet
20 His house, though built by perfect hands, need
repairs but there is no money for the purpos
~ Virtue, weak and tottering, needs support
l.; Truth is shattered into fragments, and there
no wealth TO make it whole again!
1T Humility, the very foundation of the spiritr
20 al ed6ce. has gone. Faith hope, charity, i,
sole supports, are also gone. Patience, peace
10 the hinges of the SOUL, are gone; and tn
ct whole structure, once fair, presents q 90
70 and ruined as pect. Where is the wealth thu
10 might have renewed it's beauty and IT'S usefu
10 nessf Where the riches that might hav
10 purchased exemption from decayf
But see the impoverished CHRISTIAN, who bf
20 dared to squander tho riches bought by OF
" Saviours blood, whom the dark days of tr
= come
The strong man is weak in presence of tt
al slightest temptation, and is Frustrated at IL
:: first touch of aflction. There is nothn
~ boarded mp wherewith to purchase the serviC
ID of the angels, or the intercession of the ssin
of God. Poor, bereft of garments, home an
Wi ba haW ha foil If