Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/339

 “And all  the  days  of  thy  life  have  God  in  thy  mind,  and take heed  thou  never  consent  to  sin,  nor  transgress  the  commandments of  the  Lord  our  God. Give alms  out  of  thy  substance,  and turn not  thy  face  away  from  any  poor  person. If thou  hast  much, give abundantly; if  thou  hast  little,  take  care  even  so  to  bestow willingly a little. For alms  deliver  from  sin  and  death,  and  will not suffer  the  soul  to  go  into  darkness. Take heed  to  keep  thyself, my son,  from  all  fornication.

“Never suffer  pride  to  reign  in  thy  mind,  nor  in  thy  word,  for from it  all  perdition  took  its  beginning. If any  man  has  done work for  thee,  pay  him  his  hire. See thou  never  do  to  another what thou  wouldst  hate  to  have  done  to  thee  by  another. Bless God  at  all  times,  and  desire  of  him  to  direct  thy  ways and that  all  thy  counsels  may  abide  in  Him. Fear not,  my  son, we lead  indeed  a poor  life;  but  we  shall  have  many  good  things (grace and  consolations  on  earth  and  eternal  glory  in  heaven), if we  fear  God  and  depart  from  all  sin,  and  do  that  which is good.”

Then the  son  answered,  saying:  “I  will  do  all  these  things, father, which  thou  hast  commanded  me.”

Tobias, having  thus  advised  his  son,  sent  him  to  Rages,  a distant  city,  to  collect  a debt of  long  standing. And the  young Tobias, not  knowing  the  road,  went  out  to  seek  a guide  who would show  him  the  way.

He had  not  gone  far  when  he  met  a beautiful  young  man, standing ready  girt  as  for  a journey. It was  the  Archangel Raphael. Tobias did  not  know  who  the  young  man  was,  but he addressed  him,  saying:  “Good  young  man,  knowest  thou  the way that  leadeth  to  the  country  of  the  Medes?”  The  Angel