Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/304

 than seven  watchmen  who  sit  in  a  high  place  to  watch." (Ecclus.  xvii.  18.)

III. By "fortitude"  we  are  encouraged  to  undergo every difficulty  which  stands  between  us  and  heaven, and to  resist  those  who  wish  to  make  us  deviate  from virtue, even  to  death. By "  piety"  we  are  taught  to  act as children  towards  our  superiors,  as  mothers  towards our inferiors,  and  as  brethren  towards  our  equals. Lastly, "  The  fear  of  God  hateth  evil  "  (Prov.  viii.  13),  and preserves us  from  every  sin,  because  "he  that  feareth God  neglecteth  nothing." (Ecclus. vii.  19.)  Therefore, beg these  gifts  of  God,  "  Who  giveth  to  all  abundantly." (James i.  5.)

I. The  Holy  Ghost  resembles  a  large  tree,  whose  top reaches heaven  and  whose  branches  extend  over  the whole world. " The  fruit  of  the  Divine  Spirit,"  says  the Apostle, "  is  charity,  joy,  peace,  patience,  benignity, goodness,  longanimity,  mildness,  faith,  modesty,  continency,  chastity." (Gal. v.  22.)  These  are  the  effects which the  presence  of  the  Holy  Ghost  in  the  soul  produces. Admire the  goodness  and  purity  of  God,  who does not  disdain  to  make  poor  man  sensible  of  His  presence by  producing  in  his  soul  these  fruits  of  holiness.

II. Examine whether  you  be  possessed  by  the  spirit  of God,  and  whether  you  partake  of  His  fruits;  for  it  is  written in  the  sacred  volume:  "  By  their  fruits  you  shall  know them." (Matt. vii.  16.)  Examine,  therefore,  how  charitable you  are;  how  patient,  mild,  and  modest. If you be destitute  of  these  virtues,  you  are  a  stranger  to  the