Page:SermonsFromTheLatins.djvu/185

 mercy. Finally, Satan  purposely  misquoted  Scripture, suppressing  the  words,  "  that  they  keep  thee  in all  thy  ways,"  thus  falsifying  the  entire  tenor  of God's  promise,  and  throwing  on  God  the  burden  of protecting  man  not  only  in  the  level  paths  of  rectitude but  also  amid  the  precipices  of  sin. Thus it  is the  devil  and  his  votaries  garble  the  sacred  word  of God  to  foster  vice. With murderous  hand  they poison the  fountains  of  the  knowledge  of  God  to  kill men's souls,  and  that  they  do  not  oftener  succeed  is due  to  God  alone,  whose  mighty  power  reveals betimes their  malice  and  out  of  evil  brings  much good.

Brethren, with  the  single  exception  of  Christ's soul,  all  others  have  had  and  have  their  own  duly appointed angel  guardian. From the  first  moment of its  creation  until  the  settlement  of  its  final  destiny the angel  of  God  is  by  its  side,  to  light  and  guard,  to rule  and  guide. In joy  and  sorrow,  through  virtue and through  sin,  the  faithful  monitor  is  ever  there, beseeching, prompting,  or  applauding. From the lost soul  he  parts  reluctant  at  the  gates  of  hell,  or stands  triumphant  at  the  heavenly  portals  to  welcome in  his  charge. It helps  us  to  realize  the  value of a  human  soul  to  think  how  God  has  hedged  her round about  with  safeguards  and  protectors. A soul is God's  most  precious  treasure,  which  He  needs must leave  for  a  time  in  a  foreign  land,  but  which meantime He  guards  with  almost  incredible  care  and vigilance. God's heart  is  where  His  treasure  is,  and the eyes  of  His  providence  are  ever  on  her. The