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 those which  our  divine Master is  wont  to  lay upon souls  that  have resolved to  refuse  Him nothing. Among these may be  reckoned  ordinary hardships  due  to heat  or  cold,  accidents or sickness,  disappointments and  humiliations. Besides these  there  are extraordinary trials,  interior crosses,  spiritual desolation, anguish  of heart,  and  darkness  of spirit. A Religious  accepts all  these  crosses  in proportion  as  his  vocation lays  them  upon  him. He welcomes  them  and bears them  joyfully,  following the  example  of  his Saviour and  in  union with Him.  'Let us  run by  patience  to  the  fight proposed  to  us:  looking  on Jesus,  the  author  and  finisher of  faith,  Who  having joy  set  before  Him,  endured the  cross,  despising the  shame,  and  now  sitteth on  the  right  hand  of  the throne  of  God '  (Heb.  xii. 1,  2).

"Alas! how  apt  we are  to  forget  that  our journey  in  this  world:  belongs  only  to  time,  and our  joy  in  heaven  to eternity!  How  often  do the  mists  of  this  material existence  obscure  the brightness  of  eternity,  our hopes  based  on  faith,  the promises  given  by  faith, the  everlasting  realities, and  the  immortality  of life  in  God!  We  are  so steeped  in  lower  pleasures that  we  forget  what  is higher.  It  is  indeed  necessary to  bring  back  men's souls  to  the  warm  rays of  the  divine  light,  to disperse  the  clouds  that envelop  them,  and  to restore  to  them  the thought  of  eternity  and the  desire  to  rise  to heaven."

It is  worthy  of  remark that the  popular  writer of juvenile  stories — Father H. S.  Spalding,  S.J.— in his  very  interesting and instructive  story: "The Sugar-Camp  and After,"  incidentally  calls attention to  the  utility of the  contemplative  life. Referring to  the  Trappists  of  Gethsernand, Kentucky, he  writes: " Their-  principal  duty  is to  serve  God  and  sing His  praises.  Morning and  evening  their  labor is  interrupted  for  prayer.