Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/249

 describes as  having  “nothing  disagreeable  in  her looks, nothing  inconsistent  in  her  words,  nothing imprudent in  her  actions; whose  deportment  was not assuming; whose  voice  was  not  loud  or  arrogant; and whose  exterior  modesty  was  a finished  portrait of her  interior  purity.”  O most  blessed  Virgin! take me  under  thy  protection,  and  preserve  me  from defiling by  sin  the  temple  of  thy  only  beloved  Son.

Third Point. — Consider  that  your  immortal  soul  was created by  God  for  himself; stamped  with  his  own sacred image;  redeemed  with  his  blood,  adorned with his  graces,  enriched  with  his  merits,  and  often strengthened with  that  sacrament  of  life  which  you have so  lately  received. Its value  must  then  be great,  since  God  himself  did  not  think  it  too  dearly purchased by  the  blood  of  his  only  Son. Yes, you cannot be  too  deeply  convinced  that  your  immortal soul is  your  great  and  only  treasure; to  save  that no pains  can  be  excessive,  no  security  too  great; — if that  be  lost,  all  is  lost; and  if  you  be  so  happy  as to  save  that, though  you  lose  all  the  rest,  all  is  gained. ''What will  it  profit  a man  if  he  gain  the  whole  world, and lose  his  own  soul? '' (Matt. xvi.  26.)  What  does  it now  avail  many  of  the  damned  to  have  been  on earth  honoured,  loved,  respected,  endowed  with  such beauty, talents,  wit,  or  accomplishments  as  made them the  idols  or  envy  of  all  around  them? Alas ! what does  all  that  avail  them  now,  since  they unfortunately lost  their  souls? Dwell on  this irreparable misfortune,  and  you  will  soon  feel  the justice and  necessity  of  curbing  your  passions,  and leading a virtuous  life. Your last  words,  perhaps, may be  a recommendation  of  your  soul  into  the hands of  God;  but  remember,  that  the  best,  the only means  of  securing  for  it  an  asylum  in  the  bosom