Page:TheYoungMansGuide.djvu/89

 by an  example. St. Francis  of  Sales,  the  great Bishop of  Geneva,  had  converted  70,000  Protestants. His zeal  for  souls  led  him  to  address himself to  a  learned  Calvinist,  the  head  of  this sect in  the  town  of  Geneva. He was  at  that time seventy  years  of  age;  his  bald  head  and snowy beard  indicated  a  period  of  life  which must be  nearing  the  portal  of  eternity. The holy bishop  expounded  to  him,  in  the  most forcible manner,  the  truths  of  the  Catholic  faith, by which  alone  can  we  be  saved. Beza, for such was  the  name  of  the  learned  old  man, Beza confessed  himself  vanquished  and  owned that he  had  nothing  more  to  allege!

Was Beza  therefore  converted? No! This old man  resembled  Mount  Etna,  which,  although covered with  snow,  vomits  forth  fire  —  he  was the slave  of  lust. He sighed  over  his  weakness and misery,  and  pointing  to  the  object  of  his illicit love,  he  said :  "  See,  this  is  why  I  remain a  Calvinist,  and  can  not  accept  the  true  Faith." That was  his  final  answer,  and  he  died  a  heretic.

Hence we  can  not  wonder  that  there  are  in  the present day  so  many  Christians  whose  faith  has grown cold,  or  who  have  lost  it  altogether,  and among their  number  are  to  be  found  —  the sight fills  me  with  grief  and  pain  —  many  young men who  went  forth  into  life  unspoiled  and  full of faith. We see  how  so  many  of  them  pander to their  passions,  and  have  become  the  slaves  of vice.

5. Wherefore,  my  dear  young  friend,  in  drawing to  a  conclusion  these  instructions  concerning faith,  I  entreat  you  by  all  that  you  hold  dear and sacred,  to  watch  and  pray,  in  order  that  you may not  lose  your  faith! Be ever  on  your  guard, in order  that  the  heavenly  telescope  may  not