Page:HalfHoursWithTheSaints.djvu/62

 An indifference  about  our  salvation,  a  contempt  for little duties,  a  falling  off  from  all  that  is  good  and  hopeful, a complacency  in  all  that  is  bad — all  these  stupify  the  soul, and reduce  it  to  that  state  of  Jonas,  who  slept  soundly during the  violent  storm,  when  all  those  who  were  in  the ship were  sore  afraid,  and  yet  he  remained,  as  it  were,  in a  lethargic  sleep.

It is  in  vain  for  a  confessor  to  advise,  vain  for  the preacher to  exhort. If lukewarmness  be  accompanied with culpable  negligence,  the  sinner  will  rarely,  if  ever,  be awakened  to  a  sense  of  his  or  her  danger.

This is  a  true  picture  of  very  many  who  add  to  their indifference, the  torpidity  of  an  obstinate  negligence;  those who do  not  wish  to  fall  into  open  sin,  but  take  no  trouble to advance  in  virtue;  who,  although  absolved  from  past sins, still  remain  in  a  guilty  negligence  of  their  everyday duties; who  do  not  deny  the  truths  of  our  holy  faith,  but, in listening  to  exhortations,  pay  no  attention  or  heed  them not; who,  under  the  pretence  that  they  are  not  so  bad  as many  others,  never  wish  or  try  to  imitate  those  who  are fervent.

In conclusion,  it  is  to  such  as  these,  that  the  Holy  Spirit alludes when  He  pronounces  the  curse  on  those  who  do the  work  of  the  Lord  negligently. ''Maledictus qui  facit opus  Dei  negligenter.

BOURDALOUE.

''Passion.

The earnestness,  the  zeal,  the  love  of  Mary  Magdalen, compelled our  Saviour  to  console  her. She knew  Him  by His  voice. Oh, my  God! What were  at  that  moment,  the transports of  love,  the  tender  gratitude  of  that  holy  soul!

Those who  are  lukewarm  in  the  service  of  God  cannot realise this,  because  they  love  so  little,  and  consequently