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 particular saints,  to  pictures,  statues,  shrines, and places,  seem  to  overshadow  the  greater, older, more  approved  and  more  solid  forms of devotion;  and  some  of  these  are  "run" so earnestly  by  their  votaries  as  to  suggest the suspicion  that  they  think  no  one  has devotion who  does  not  practise  and  uphold their special  form. They advertise  them  in  a most  exaggerated  way,  as  in  themselves  sufficient and  all-powerful  to  save,  concluding often with  a  money  appeal. No one  ought to take  up  any  devotion  which  has  no  attraction for  him  simply  because  others  press  it. To do  so  would  be  insincere,  unreal,  and  unprofitable. Persons should  also  carefully guard against  multiplying  devotions  too much, or  loading  themselves  with  them. This would lead  to  neglect  of  more  important duties, or  to  devotions  and  duties  being  carelessly hurried  through.

There can  be  no  doubt  that  a  few  solid devotions according  to  one's  spiritual  taste — which  will  fit  into  one's  daily  life  without interfering with  duty  —  faithfully  kept  to, are a  great  source  of  grace,  and  a  help  to holiness. This may  be  said  even  of  any  one devotional prayer  or  act  patiently  kept  to for  years. Who could  tell  the  protective and, in  the  end,  the  saving  power  of  some