Page:TheYoungMansGuide.djvu/163

 account our  most  holy  Redeemer,  the  Son  of God  Himself,  tolerated  a  Judas  among  His apostles, although  they  were  but  twelve  in number. Thus there  were  at  a  subsequent period, and  there  will  ever  continue  to  be, traitors among  priests. This must  be  admitted, however,  that,  despite  the  many  temptations and  dangers  to  which  priests  are exposed in  the  world,  there  are  but  few — very few — who are  not  true  to  their  high  calling.

4. "They  are  all  alike!" What a  shameful slander! When in  a  community  one  or another  exceptionally  vicious  individual  is found  who  makes  acquaintance  with  the house of  correction,  do  we  on  that  account condemn the  rest  and  exclaim:  "They  are all  alike!" Would not  this  be  a  gross  and true piece  of  injustice?

And tell  me,  if  a  rich  man  were  to  make  you a present  of  a  thousand  gold  coins,  all  perfectly genuine,  with  the  exception  of  a  few counterfeit and  useless  pieces,  should  you  on this  account  despise,  abuse,  and  reject  the whole amount? You are  doubtless  saying to yourself:  "No,  I  should  certainly  not  be such  a  fool."

Or suppose  you  have  one  autumn  an apple  tree  in  your  orchard  loaded  with splendid fruit. Because you  espy  here  and there a  few  rotten,  worm-eaten  apples, should you,  on  this  account,  consider  the  tree to be  worthless,  useless,  and  only  fit  to  be cut  down?