Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/385

 followers grace  to  profit  by  it,  to  glorify  Him  and  secure the end  of  their  creation. When light  passes  through loathsome or  infected  places,  it  emerges  as  pure  and  uncontaminated  as  it  entered;  thus  Christ  and  His  apostolic followers, although  they  converse  and  treat  with  sinners, do not  partake  of  their  uncleanness. Hence, no  one, whose duty  it  is  to  reclaim  sinners,  ought  to  fear  the danger of  corruption,  if  he  act  in  obedience  to  God,  and follow the  example  of  Christ  and  His  Apostles.

III. Christ says,  that  no  one  puts  a  light  under  a bushel. Thus He  reprehends  those,  who  do  not  employ the talents,  which  they  have  received,  in  enlightening their neighbors,  but  hide  their  light,  from  pusillanimity or sloth. They ought  to  imitate  the  stars  at  their  creation, of  which  Baruch  speaks  in  the  sublimest  strains. "They were  called  by  the  Almighty,"  says  the  Prophet, "and they  said,  here  we  are,  and  with  cheerfulness  they have  shined  forth  to  him,  that  made  them." (Baruch iii. 25.)

I. Conceive  yourself  to  be  that  publican,  who  is  mentioned in  the  Gospel  of  to-day;  for  in  consequence  of your  sins,  you  ought  to  deem  yourself  unworthy  of  raising up  your  eyes  to  Heaven,  and  only  deserving  of  the privilege of  striking  your  breast  and  crying  out  continually, "  O  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner." (Luke, xviii. 13.)    Call  to  mind  the  sins  of  your  past  life,  and  you  will