Page:TheYoungMansGuide.djvu/91

 hills. A voice  came  out  of  this  beauteous  cloud and spoke  as  follows:  "Your  eyes  will  not  be able  to  behold  me,  but  although  invisible,  I  will be  your  guide  through  life.  I  will  dwell  in  your hearts,  and  smooth  your  path.  When  thou,  O man,  shalt  till  the  earth  in  the  sweat  of  thy  brow, I  will  show  thee  in  the  distant  horizon  fields  of golden  corn  and  flowery  gardens,  so  that  thou shalt  imagine  thyself  to  be  once  more  in  Paradise."

"But," sighed  our  first  parents,  "wilt  thou forsake  us  when  we  come  to  die?" "No," said the  voice  from  the  cloud,  "but  in  death's dark  night  I  will  be  to  you  a  light.  When  your last  hour  is  approaching,  my  cheering  light  shall surround  you,  and  you  shall  behold  Paradise open  before  you."

Our first  parents  asked:  "Who  art  thou, celestial  messenger,  who  dost  bring  us  consolation?" "I am  Hope,"  was  the  reply,  "the daughter  of  Faith  and  Charity." The beauteous cloud  melted  away,  and  encompassed  the persons addressed,  hiding  the  celestial  child  from view. But their  souls  were  refreshed  and  comforted.

2. My  youthful  reader,  this  heavenly  child, the virtue  of  hope,  must  accompany  you  on  your way through  life. Like a  helmet  of  steel,  this virtue must  guard  your  head  against  the  blows of fate,  which  are  often  so  hard. It must  be your  protection.

You must  keep  a  firm  hold  on  Christian  hope; you must  cling  to  it,  and  never  let  it  go,  for such is  the  will  of  God. He commands  us  to hope  in  Him,  and  this  command  is  even  implied in these  words:  "Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy God  with  thy whole  heart." Hope therefore  in