Page:Pastoral letter of the first National Council of the United States - held in Baltimore in May, 1852 (IA PastoralLetter1852).pdf/16

 of the age those whom the Providence of God has committed to our guardianship. Not only have we to consider the faithful of our charge; we have also to remember those other sheep which are not yet of the fold of Christ, and whom the Shepherd of souls designs to bring within its sacred pale. Let us be mindful of the apostolic admonition, and "give offence to no one, that our ministry may not be reviled;" that the prejudices of education may not be strengthened; or the persevering misrepresentation by which we are assailed receive apparent confirmation from the faults or imperfections that may be discovered in us. Let us be the example of the faithful in word, in conversation, in charity, in faith, in chastity; let us attend to reading, to exhortation and to doctrine, and thus we shall save ourselves and those that hear us.

Nor can we close this Letter without addressing the consecrated Virgins, who, in the admirable variety of occupations, suggested by zeal and charity, are now, as in the days of St. Cyprian, the more illustrious portion of the flock of Christ, the flower and ornament of the Church. Them we address, after the example of the same holy martyr, in language of affectionate reverence rather than in the words of authority. Them also we must exhort to keep their lamps filled with the oil of good works; to labor assiduously to render themselves still more and more worthy of their Heavenly Spouse, by going from virtue to virtue; and them also we must admonish, that in proportion to the sublime course of religious perfection on which they have entered, is the solicitude we feel that they should secure the crown which is to be their exceeding great reward. To each of them, the Spouse of their souls says: "Behold I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown."

And to you, beloved children of the Laity,—our joy and our crown,—we desire, in concluding, to address a few words of affectionate admonition. We know your faith and the fervor which so many of you exhibit: but our office is one of solicitude and concern. Until the victory is achieved we cannot be without apprehension; and our cares will only cease when we shall have