Page:Anecdotescatechi00spiruoft.djvu/80

 ''Q. Which  were  the  chief  bleesings  intended  for  Adam and  Eve  had  they  remained  faithful  to  God? ''

A. The  chief  bleesings  intended  for  Adam  and  Eve, had  they  remained  faithful  to  God,  were  a constant state  of  happiness  in  this  life  and  everlasting  glory  in the  next.

When St.  Bernard  and  four  of  his  brothers  had determined to  leave  the  world  and  devote  themselves to  the  religious  life,  they  paid  a visit  to Fontaines  to  ask  their  father’s  blessing. On bidding farewell  to  their  home  and  family,  one  of  them said to  their  young  brother,  Nivard:  ‘‘Good-bye, Nivard; you are  now  heir  to  all  our  father’s  possessions, and  will  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  wealth  and honorable station.”  “Ah,  yes!”  replied  Nivard, “you take  heaven  and  leave  me  earth;  the  shares are not  equal,  and  I will  not  be  satisfied  with  mine.” And, in  fact,  when  he  had  grown  to  man’s  estate,  and his father  had  no  longer  need  of  his  services,  Nivard, too, entered  the  convent.

''Q. Did  Adam  and  Eve  remain  faithful  to  God? ''

''A. Adam  and  Eve  did  not  remain  faithful  to  God; but  broke  His  command  by  eating  the  forbidden  fruit. ''

Charles the  Ninth,  king  of  France,  once  asked  the celebrated poet,  Torquato  Tasso,  whom  he  regarded as the  happiest  being. The poet  answered: “ God.”

“ Everybody knows  that,”  said  the  king. “ What I