Page:HalfHoursWithTheSaints.djvu/43

 Our Lord  has  given  to  the  preacher  of  His  Word,  a  help which is  not  to  be  found  elsewhere. The commonest truths, in  the  mouth  of  the  preacher,  have  a  strength  and unction which  can  alone  move  and  convert  the  most hardened heart.

In what  disposition  do  you  come  to  hear  the  Word  of God?

Many attend  to  decide  upon  the  merit  or  incapacity  of him  who  announces  it;  many,  to  make  unjust  comparisons between this  and  that  preacher. Some glory  in  being  very difficult to  please,  in  order  to  appear  of  excellent  taste; they, inattentively,  listen  to  simple  explanations  which  are necessary to  be  touched  upon,  and  all  the  fruit  which  they gather from  a  Christian  discourse  consists  of  disparaging remarks and  pointing  out  the  defects  of  the  preacher. They come,  with  an  intention  of  finding  fault,  and  ever find something  to  censure  and  criticise,

Massillon.

''Lenten Sermon.

Listen with  devotion  to  the  Word  of  God,  whether  you hear it  in  familiar  conversation  with  your  spiritual  friends or at  a  sermon.

Make all  the  profit  of  it  you  possibly  can,  and  suffer  it not  to  fall  to  the  ground,  but  receive  it  into  your  heart  as a  precious  balm,  imitating  the  most  holy  Virgin,  who preserved carefully  in  her  heart  all  the  words  which  were spoken in  praise  of  her  Son.

Remember that  our  Lord  gathers  up  the  words  we  speak to Him  in  our  prayers,  according  as  we  gather  up  those He speaketh  to  us  by  preaching.

Have always  at  hand  some  approved  book  of  devotion, such as  the  spiritual  works  of  St.  Bonaventure,  of  Gerson, of Thomas  a  Kempis,  &amp;c.,  &amp;c.,  and  read  a  little  in  them