Page:Withgodbookofpra00las.djvu/125

 God the  pleasing  sight  of  ever  increasing virtues. Her holy  desires  and  aspirations  are constantly ascending  like  a  sweet  odor  to heaven. But whence  has  she  received  the first seeds  of  good? From meditation,  which daily sheds  fruitful  dew  on  her  heart. "Thy plants are  a  paradise  of  pomegranates  with the  fruits  of  the  orchard.  .  .  .  The  fountain of  gardens,  the  well  of  living  waters,  which run  with  a  strong  stream  from  Libanus" (Cant. iv.  13,  15). If the  fountains  of  the garden were  to  dry  up,  the  flowers  and  foliage would soon  wither  for  lack  of  water.

So it  is  with  the  soul. As long  as  it  meditates, we  find  in  it  charity,  modesty,  humility, and mortification. But let  mental  prayer  be neglected,  and  vanity,  frivolity,  love  of  ease and worldly  pleasures,  want  of  recollection  and devotion, neglect  of  mortification  —  all  these are the  result. Water is  wanting,  the  spirit is dried  up. "My soul  is  as  earth  without water  unto  Thee"  (Ps.  cxlii.  6). The poor soul has  forsaken  mental  prayer,  and  the  garden of  her  heart  is  parched. It grows  drier and harder  day  by  day. St. Chrysostom looks upon  such  a  soul  as  not  only  sick,  but even lifeless. "He who  no  longer  prays  to God,"  he  says,  "who  no  longer  desires  constant communion  with  Him,  is  dead." When