Page:TheYoungMansGuide.djvu/76

 him look  utterly  foolish. I knew  a  witty Capuchin Father  whose  sharp  tongue  frequently did him  good  service.

On one  occasion  a  stout,  pompous  gentleman who was  sitting  opposite  to  this  good  Father  in a  railway  coach  tried  to  annoy  him  by  mocking at  religion. Among other  things  he  said  to him :  "  Your  Reverence,  how  is  it  possible  that a  hell  can  exist?  Where  could  the  Almighty  get wood  enough  to  heat  such  a  place?" With a tongue  as  ready  as  ever,  the  Father  retorted: "My dear  sir,  you  need  not  be  anxious  about this  point  as  long  as  God  has  a  store  of  such blockheads  as  yourself."

6. In  the  third  place,  beware  of  infidel  or  anti-Catholic  books  and  writings. Be careful  in  the choice of  your  books  and  magazines. Do not take it  into  your  head  that  you  must  read  everything which  comes  to  hand. I shall  say  more in another  chapter  about  the  terrible  evils  which result from  the  diffusion  of  books  hostile  to  the Faith and  to  the  Church.

Do you,  however,  take  care  that  amid  the many clangers  and  temptations  which  surround you the  light  of  faith  which  is  within  you  become not darkness;  may  it  always  shine  before  you and guide  you  on  your  heavenward  way.

Lord of  eternal  purity! Who dost  the  world  with  light  adorn, And paint  the  fields  of  azure  sky With lovely  hues  of  eve  and  morn;

Scatter our  night,  eternal  God, And kindle  Thy  pure  beam  within Free us  from  guilt's  oppressive  load. And break  the  deadly  bonds  of  sin