Page:Wives and mothers in the olden time.djvu/9



, speaking of the idlers of his day, writes:— 'Almost their whole lives are spent in doing nothing; and the whole in doing nothing to the purpose.'

Does this severe criticism apply to people in these days? I am afraid it does; and especially to the young of both sexes. But in writing these Lives I have thought only of women; and of the great apostolate which is set before them, and of the immense work each and all might do for God, if they would.

Paula and Olympias were ladies of high birth and position in the world, living very much under the same circumstances as ourselves. How was it that their influence was so great? that they were such powerful instruments for good?

Was it not from the earnestness, the thoroughness of their lives? their abhorrence of everything frivolous and luxurious? their realisation of the