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 emperors or  kings;  but  even  to  the  lowest  of  men. But when the  interests  of  God  are  concerned,  we  should  recognise no  human  consideration,  as  we  look  to  God  alone. The most  frightful  torture,  far  from  alarming  me,  would give me  joy.

"Threaten as  you  will,  put  all  kinds  of  outrages  into execution,  do  your  worst,  go  tell  your  master;  for  you  will gain  nothing.  Were  you  to  reach  the  height  of  your  cruel threats,  you  will  never  be  able  to  force  us  to  subscribe  to your  impious  doctrines."

The prefect,  astonished  at  his  firmness,  told  him  that  no one  had  ever  spoken  to  him in  that  bold  way.

"Perhaps," replied  the  saint,  "you  have  never  spoken to  a  bishop  before."

3em

Adapted from "Discours  Ecclésiastiques."

It is  an  error  to  suppose  that  priests  and  missionaries ought alone  to  be  zealous. There is  not  one  who  has  not a mission  to  fulfil,  without  going  out  of  his  state  in  life;  not a single  person  who  ought  not  to  connect  his  own  salvation with  that  of  his  brethren. Your own  sanctification is, of  course,  your  first  and  greatest  business. Every one should look  to  this;  but  every  one  is  bound  to  edify  his neighbour, by  giving  a  good  example. This zeal  is  common to  all,  and  to  all  conditions  of  life.

Are you  in  office,  have  you  inferiors,  have  you  the  cares of a  family  and  servants? Few professed  missionaries have so  much  to  answer  for,  and  have  to  give  an  account of their  salvation  as  you  have.

Take especial  care  not  to  neglect  this  duty;  do  not leave it  to  others;  watch  continually  over  the  conduct  of those  whom  God  has  confided  to  your  care. Children, servants, inferiors,  are  all,  so  to  speak,  so  many  trusts  of