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 "O holy prerogative of youth," exclaims Father Von Doss, "to be able to practise, in its entire extent, a virtue which is the admiration of heaven and earth! A virtue which is so admirable that, without it, all other virtues lose their brilliancy; so sublime that he who possesses it may be said to equal the angels of heaven; so useful, that the words of Holy Writ are applicable to it: 'All things came to me together with her, and innumerable riches through her hands!' (Wis, vii. 11).

"Justly, then, is chastity compared to a lily for this flower not only delights the eye with its brilliant whiteness, but refreshes the sense of smell by the balsamic odor which it exhales.

"Exceedingly lovely is the lily of chastity, spreading abroad its precious perfume, and refreshing the heavenly Bridegroom, of whom it is said that He feedeth among lilies (Cant. ii. 16). The pure young heart draws him down into its fragrant depths, so that it becomes a veritable garden of the Lord.

"Chastity has the sublime prerogative of not only adorning the soul with its brilliant whiteness, but also of being, at the same time, the best ornament of the body.

"Look into the clear eyes of innocence; what a luster, what quiet majesty I How the purity