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 but for  heavenly  glory  and  the  means  of attaining  it. The most  precious  and  excellent of  temporal  things  are  but  insignificant trifles in  comparison  to  what  is  eternal.'"

When our  prayers  for  temporal  favors, either for  ourselves  or  in  behalf  of  others,  are not granted,  we  should  consider  God's  refusal a real  benefit  rather  than  a  misfortune. In beseeching God  for  temporals,  we  should  be indifferent  as  to  the  result  of  our  prayers, being equally  ready  to  accept  a  refusal  or  a favorable  hearing  from  Him. If such  should be our  dispositions,  God,  when  refusing  our request, will  not  fail  to  compensate  us  by bestowing  on  us  m_ore  excellent  favors  which we do  not  think  of  asking. 'In vain  does  a child  cry  for  a  sword  or  a  live  coal,'  remarks St. John  Chrysostom;  'his  parents  justly refuse him  what  may  prove  very  hurtful  to him. In like  manner  God  justly  and  kindly refuses us  what  is  injurious  to  us;  but,  in  His goodness, He  will  give  us  something  better instead. Let us  in  all  our  prayers  aim  principally at  the  salvation  of  our  soul,  and  we shall  obtain  also  temporal  favors  from  God, according to  this  saying  of  our  loving  Redeemer:  "Seek  ye  therefore  first  the  kingdom of  God  and  His  justice,  and  all  these things  shall  be  added  unto  you"  (Matt.  vi.  33).