Page:TheYoungMansGuide.djvu/73

 ing " I soon  found  that  in  the  search  after  truth, the  disposition  of  the  heart  was  the  most  important thing.  I  therefore  began  with  prayer, and  I  speedily  improved  and  regained  my faith."

Do you  therefore  apply  yourself  to  prayer. Pray that  you  may  preserve  your  most  precious treasure  amid  the  numerous  dangers  to be  encountered  in  the  world  of  our  own  day. Especially in  seasons  of  temptation,  pray  to God  in  the  language  of  the  Gospel:  "I  do believe,  Lord  help  my  unbelief!" On no account  consider  your  Catholic  faith  to  be of  little  value. For, as  St.  Augustine  says: "There is  no  greater  wealth,  no  more  valuable possession  than  the  Catholic  faith."

Faith of  our  Fathers! living still, In spite  of  dungeon,  fire,  and  sword; O, how  our  hearts  beat  high  with  joy Whene'er we  hear  that  glorious  word: Faith of  our  Fathers! Holy Faith  ! We will  be  true  to  thee  till  death!

— Oratory  Hymns.

N THE  course  of  my  long  experience in the  cure  of  souls,  I  have  met  with many instances  of  the  manner  in  which  young men who  came  from  thoroughly  Catholic  neighborhoods and  pious  families  have  later  on  under the influence  of  irreligious  and  impious  associations been  unable  to  keep  straight,  but  have  lost