Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. II.djvu/250

260 Is there nothing, nothing more which you can do for him? With all your love, with all your ardent longing, is there nothing you can do for his eternal well-being?

“Yes,” says the Catholic doctrine, “there is! Your prayers, your actions, may follow him, with elevating, saving power, even into the dark realms of space, whither he (or she) is gone. You are not spiritually sundered. You may forever live for him, as he for you!”

Precious doctrine! Which needs only to be divested of the dead or mechanical forms which the Catholic church during the lapse of centuries has invested it, to become one with the innermost life and doctrine of the gospel. For it is not masses for the soul, thoughtlessly read by indifferent priests, even though they be read for centuries, which can operate savingly for that soul which is dear to you, but your own life filled with prayer and deeds of love to his memory, or for his sake. And he who promised one day to make him ruler over much who has been faithful in the little, he will give you power and opportunity, according to the ability which you possess to work for the soul you love. This belongs to the order of God's spiritual world. Men—the individual or generations—are eternally bound together, as well here as hereafter. The circumstance of death cannot dissolve the spiritual bond. They who are gone before work for us, and we for them, in good or in evil, as we are united to or separated from the fountain of eternal life. It cannot be otherwise. And how much more important, how much more beautiful and complete