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 for the  conversion  of  individuals. The Israelites  had  been  driven  from the land  of  their  fathers,  they  were  scattered  and  homeless,  living  among strangers and  earning  a livelihood  by  hard  work,  being  all  the  while sorely oppressed. In their  necessity  many  turned  contritely  to  God, acknowledged His  just  judgments  and  found  all  their  consolation  in the  hope  of  the  promised  Redeemer. In them  were  fulfilled  the  words of the  prophet  Jeremias  (2,  19):  “Know  thou  and  see  that  it  is  an  evil and a bitter  thing  for  thee  to  have  left  the  Lord  thy  God.”  For  the kingdom of  Assyria  also  the  dispersion  of  Israel  was  a great  blessing. Through the  Israelites  living  in  their  midst  the  pagans  learnt  to  know the true  and  unseen  God  and  the  promised  Redeemer,  for  whose coming they  were,  therefore,  prepared. Thus, by  God’s  Providence, even the  sin  of  Israel  and  its  punishment  served  for  a good  end.

The Faithfulness  of  God.  That  which  God  had  threatened  a hundred years before  was  brought  to  pass. The impenitent  kingdom  of  Israel was merged  in  the  great  Assyrian  empire,  and  ceased  to  be  an  independent state.

The fall  of  him  who  resists  grace.  The  history  of  Israel  is  the counterpart of  the  history  of  every  impenitent  sinner. What happened to the  people  of  Israel  when  they  broke  their  covenant  with  God,  is repeated  in  the  case  of  very  many  Christians,  who  do  not  keep  their baptismal vows. By the  mouth  of  His  priests,  and  by  the  voice  of their  own  consciences,  God  exhorts  sinners  to  be  converted  and  do penance. He reminds  them  of  the  terrors  of  the  judgment  and  the torments of  hell. But, alas,  many  sinners  will  not  believe,  and  take these solemn  truths  of  faith  for  empty  threats. Often God  visits  sinners with sickness  or  misfortunes,  but  the  amendment  of  life  which  these may produce  lasts  but  a short  time. Hardly is  the  trouble  removed before the  sinner  turns  away  again  from  God  and  commits  fresh  sins. God will  bear  with  him  for  a long  time,  seeking  to  bring  him  back  to Him,  but  at  last  His  patience  is  exhausted,  the  time  of  grace  is  past, and God  calls  the  impenitent  sinner  before  His  judgment-seat,  and  gives him over  to  the  power  of  the  enemy. The sinful  soul  is  damned,  and thrust for  ever  out  of  its  heavenly  home,  to  suffer  hopelessly,  in  captivity, the  unbearable  torments  of  hell. There, indeed,  he  at  last  recognizes his folly  and  blindness,  and  bitterly  rues  his  sin  and  impenitence. But it is  too  late!

The Virtues  of  Tobias.  1. His piety. He  loved  God  from  his  youth up, prayed  willingly,  and  faithfully  fulfilled  all  his  religious  duties. The foundations of  piety  are  laid  in  youth.

2. His  brotherly  love.  His  love  was  universal, for  he  did  not  show it  towards  his  friends  only,  but  towards  all  who  were  in  want,  especially Israelites. His love  was  practical,  for  he  sought  out  the  needy,  even sacrificing health  and  fortune  in  order  to  help  them. He consoled, instructed,  and  supported  all  whom  he  could,  and  practised  works  of