Ijournal entry 061917 #24. June, Month of the Sacred Heart. The Rule of St. Benedict. Quotes by Dan Burke, Joe Heschmeyer, St. Augustine, and Hugh Black. Book: "The Art of Worldly Wisdom, by Fr. Balthasar Gracián. Book: “The Art of Being a Good Friend", by Hugh Black. YouTube video: "Holy Friendships", by Fr. Matt Hartley.
“General practiced for consoling the SACRED HEART OF JESUS may reduce them to the following points:
❣1. Love —above all, love. What the suffering Heart of Jesus needs most is to find a heart that loves Him, sympathizes with and is devoted to Him—a heart that knows how to understand His sorrows and to relieve them.
❣2. Compassion — which, in order to lessen the sorrows of His afflicted Heart, takes them, as it were, upon oneself. This is what the Heart of Jesus asks by those words : " / looked for one that would grieve together with Me
❣1. Love —above all, love. What the suffering Heart of Jesus needs most is to find a heart that loves Him, sympathizes with and is devoted to Him—a heart that knows how to understand His sorrows and to relieve them.
❣2. Compassion — which, in order to lessen the sorrows of His afflicted Heart, takes them, as it were, upon oneself. This is what the Heart of Jesus asks by those words : " / looked for one that would grieve together with Me
❣3. Atonement —, which completely heals the wounds which give Him pain, in destroying their effect, or even suppressing their cause.
Let us, in fine, endeavor fully to console the deep sorrows of the Heart of Jesus, and make Him entirely forget them, by procuring for Him every kind of joy, of pleasure, and of glory. First, joy in giving Him by our prayers and sacrifices the means of loving—yes, loving as much as He desires, for love produces joy. Then pleasure, by providing Him the means of giving as much grace, etc., as He wishes, according to that true principle—the sweetest pleasure is to be able to give it; in causing Him to exercise gratitude as much as He desires, according to that other principle—gratitude is the joy of a good heart. Finally, glory, in enabling Him to pardon as freely as He wishes, for the true glory of Jesus is the display of His mercy". By Fr. André Prévot
Let us, in fine, endeavor fully to console the deep sorrows of the Heart of Jesus, and make Him entirely forget them, by procuring for Him every kind of joy, of pleasure, and of glory. First, joy in giving Him by our prayers and sacrifices the means of loving—yes, loving as much as He desires, for love produces joy. Then pleasure, by providing Him the means of giving as much grace, etc., as He wishes, according to that true principle—the sweetest pleasure is to be able to give it; in causing Him to exercise gratitude as much as He desires, according to that other principle—gratitude is the joy of a good heart. Finally, glory, in enabling Him to pardon as freely as He wishes, for the true glory of Jesus is the display of His mercy". By Fr. André Prévot
The Rule of St. Benedict
"The Offices of Lauds and Vespers should never be allowed to pass without the superior at the end of all reciting the Lord’s Prayer in the hearing of all the brethren, on account of the thorns of scandal which are wont to arise; so that warned by the covenant which they make in that prayer, saying: ‘Forgive us as we forgive,’ they may cleanse themselves of such faults. At the other Offices let the last part of that prayer be said aloud, so that all may answer: ‘But deliver us from evil."
MC= Good advice for us when ending our day is to conclude with the Our Father prayer. Parting with the night with a clean heart, and setting transgressors free, is a way to clear spiritual clutter. Letting the bottom line register, we have a Father in Heaven who is not a dead beat dad, we are assured no evil will befall us. So Calle "bad" things may happen, but evil will not touch us. Our God will be working or allowing only what that will help us in a good way in some form or fashion. A peaceful rest in the arms of God is possible for a heart believing in His promises.
"The Offices of Lauds and Vespers should never be allowed to pass without the superior at the end of all reciting the Lord’s Prayer in the hearing of all the brethren, on account of the thorns of scandal which are wont to arise; so that warned by the covenant which they make in that prayer, saying: ‘Forgive us as we forgive,’ they may cleanse themselves of such faults. At the other Offices let the last part of that prayer be said aloud, so that all may answer: ‘But deliver us from evil."
MC= Good advice for us when ending our day is to conclude with the Our Father prayer. Parting with the night with a clean heart, and setting transgressors free, is a way to clear spiritual clutter. Letting the bottom line register, we have a Father in Heaven who is not a dead beat dad, we are assured no evil will befall us. So Calle "bad" things may happen, but evil will not touch us. Our God will be working or allowing only what that will help us in a good way in some form or fashion. A peaceful rest in the arms of God is possible for a heart believing in His promises.
🔴 "Spiritual friendships can be very powerful and helpful in the journey to greater intimacy with our Lord". By Dan Burke
🔘"A talk called, “Without Friends, Life Would Hardly be Worth Living: Friendship and Holiness,” the presenter was Sr. Ann Catherine, O.P., was an examination of friendship from a classical and Catholic perspective. So what is friendship? What does virtuous friendship look like? And what are some of the advantages of virtuous friendship?People who reject virtue cannot enjoy true friendship. By choosing a life of vice, they’re cutting themselves off from the deepest love of true friendship. Aristotle identified "Three Types of Friendship":
🔵 "Oh, unfortunate pride, you dare to judge your brother on the slightest appearance of evil, and how do you know that he has not repented of his fault and that he is not numbered among God's friends? Take care rather that he does not take the place which your pride is putting you in great danger of losing". By St. Augustine
⚪️ "Friendship should have a spiritual basis. Friends should be chosen by a higher principle of selection than any worldly one of pleasure or usefulness, or by weak submission to the evil influences of our lot. They should be chosen for character, for goodness, for truth and trustworthiness, because they have sympathy with us in our best thoughts and holiest aspirations, because they have community of mind in the things of the soul. All other connections are fleeting and imperfect from the nature of the case. A relationship based on the physical withers when the first bloom fades; a relationship founded on the intellectual is only a little more secure, as it, too, is subject to caprice”. By Hugh Black
🔘"A talk called, “Without Friends, Life Would Hardly be Worth Living: Friendship and Holiness,” the presenter was Sr. Ann Catherine, O.P., was an examination of friendship from a classical and Catholic perspective. So what is friendship? What does virtuous friendship look like? And what are some of the advantages of virtuous friendship?People who reject virtue cannot enjoy true friendship. By choosing a life of vice, they’re cutting themselves off from the deepest love of true friendship. Aristotle identified "Three Types of Friendship":
- Friendships of Utility: We benefit in some way from being friends with these people: maybe they’re well-connected, or we need a fourth person for our bridge club. That sounds exploitative (and certainly can be), but there are areas where it’s prudent and appropriate. For example, becoming friends with the husband of your wife’s best friend is a friendship of utility. You wouldn’t be friends in a vacuum, but being friends makes sense in this context, since it fosters greater marital harmony, and makes couples outings more pleasurable. Aristotle described these friendships as shallow and easily dissolved. So if your wife’s best friend got divorced, you probably wouldn’t continue to pal around with her (ex-)husband.
- Friendships of Pleasure: These are people we simply enjoy being around — Sr. Anne Catherine gave the examples of drinking buddies or girls who go shopping together. They may be good or bad for us, but the friendship is built on the idea that they’re fun to be around. To the extent that these friendships are built around pleasure or passion, they also tend towards shallowness, since these things don’t last forever.
- Friendships of Virtue: This is friendship in the fullest sense, in which the friends are engaged in a common pursuit of the virtuous life. They’re edifying, in that each friend draws the other towards virtue. Aristotle explains that in this friendship, you wish the best for your friend regardless of pleasure or utility. So, for example, the virtuous friend is genuinely happy to see you get married or get a promotion, even if it mean you’ll have less time to hang out, or won’t be as important a business connection. Of course, this means that these friendships are only possible among the virtuous". By Joe Heschmeyer
🔵 "Oh, unfortunate pride, you dare to judge your brother on the slightest appearance of evil, and how do you know that he has not repented of his fault and that he is not numbered among God's friends? Take care rather that he does not take the place which your pride is putting you in great danger of losing". By St. Augustine
⚪️ "Friendship should have a spiritual basis. Friends should be chosen by a higher principle of selection than any worldly one of pleasure or usefulness, or by weak submission to the evil influences of our lot. They should be chosen for character, for goodness, for truth and trustworthiness, because they have sympathy with us in our best thoughts and holiest aspirations, because they have community of mind in the things of the soul. All other connections are fleeting and imperfect from the nature of the case. A relationship based on the physical withers when the first bloom fades; a relationship founded on the intellectual is only a little more secure, as it, too, is subject to caprice”. By Hugh Black
Wonderful to have beautiful lights in a world of darkness. A different wattage from each person, praise the Lord, to meet the need at hand.
~ Narrow is da Road & Found not by Many but by Only a Few ~
~ Clara & Mae are Blest to be on da Path, Those Precious Two ~
🌞How inadequate are words to express thanks to the both of you
🌞And most certainly to our most Holy, Good and Gracious God to
🌞Truly that was a blessed day Clara, when we met at St. Stephen's one evening
🌞God decided to pick you & give me one among His best, a treat that would be so enchanting
🌞You have enriched my life in many, many ways.
🌞During the years we surely have experienced some happy days
🌞You as the godliest person I know,
🌞It is so, yes indeed, it is so
🌞You really do have a heart of love,
🌞It's just a manifestation of your relationship with the Lord God above
🌞With truth it can be said that your heart is one after God's own heart
🌞That is what have sustained you early on, & continue to do so like from the very start
🌞You are really compassionate, so caring, and kind
🌞Lending a hand even when it's not convenient or doing something you didn't even have in mind
🌞You are merciful, and ever so gracious
🌞Your concern for those near or far, stranger or friend is not narrow but oh wide & spacious
🌞You look for the best in any bad or untoward situation
🌞Seeing in it an opportunity to offer God a sacrifice as a libation
🌞How quick you are to give the benefit of the doubt
🌞Feeling it's up to God & not you to count anyone out
🌞You most definitely, to a fault, put others before yourself
🌞It's your own self will that you most often don't mind putting on the shelf
🌞You are ever on the lookout
🌞And do reach out to those round about
🌞And any whom you can help after finding out what is their need
🌞You hesitate not to help with a prayer and or a smacking good deed
🌞You give without counting the cost
🌞you would rather it be you than someone else taking a lost
🌞You give and give and give
🌞With wishes that another can happily live
🌞God looks down below and your every kind act He can clearly see
🌞 Know not one will be forgotten, your payment will be great in eternity
🌞Misfortunes here could have crushed your heart of gold
🌞But in spite of all, it beats & flourishes cause you allow God to be in control
🌞You are tender and your disposition is sweet
🌞This isn't just talk, others who know you , know it's true just like any you might get a chance meet
🌞It is you, who are an example of what it's like to portray the godly
🌞 Endurance and perseverance, with a face every so smiley
🌞It's not in vain that my assessment is accurate & favorable
🌞Asking your family or coworkers their opinion will no doubt be one that's comparable
🌞That you're the person acting more God like than anyone else in my circle is true
🌞It's so evident by the things you say and from the heart most gladly do
🌞May upon you God place His mighty healing hands
🌞Bringing health and wholeness as graces descend & effectively with great force lands
🌞Mae you get the title of being the holiest
🌞A precious a gift from God, and as a sharing buddy you are the friendliest
🌞So bent on God exclusively in your life, having His own way
🌞Nothing for you like trying to listen & daily read Scripture to see what He has to say
🌞The key you well know to victorious living is by the Holy Spirit's power
🌞That's why you want to be in intimate fellowship wit God every minute on the hour
🌞You are so blest tobe able to see many faults, failings, & sins right on the spot
🌞Repentance and reconciliation is something that you're so happy to have as your lot
🌞Others like me witness your sorrow when with God you're out of sync
🌞What blesses your soul is knowing God's ability to make you ever strong, even if He is dealing with the weakest link
🌞Delightful you find all that He has created: people, places, and things
🌞The littlest of things rejoices & romances your heart filled with praises as it gladly sings
🌞Mae you're trying to love as you are loved, which is a very tall order
🌞It is clear that your tries are wholehearted, even when they make you seem like a martyr
🌞For you it's not about shirking & not from accepting what happens by God's provident hands
🌞Growth is the goal helping you to hold tight, firmly knowing that by grace alone one safely lands
🌞How beautiful the various attributes intertwine between both of you
🌞The scripture coming to mind summarizing you Clara dear, is Philippians, chapter two
~ Clara & Mae are Blest to be on da Path, Those Precious Two ~
🌞How inadequate are words to express thanks to the both of you
🌞And most certainly to our most Holy, Good and Gracious God to
🌞Truly that was a blessed day Clara, when we met at St. Stephen's one evening
🌞God decided to pick you & give me one among His best, a treat that would be so enchanting
🌞You have enriched my life in many, many ways.
🌞During the years we surely have experienced some happy days
🌞You as the godliest person I know,
🌞It is so, yes indeed, it is so
🌞You really do have a heart of love,
🌞It's just a manifestation of your relationship with the Lord God above
🌞With truth it can be said that your heart is one after God's own heart
🌞That is what have sustained you early on, & continue to do so like from the very start
🌞You are really compassionate, so caring, and kind
🌞Lending a hand even when it's not convenient or doing something you didn't even have in mind
🌞You are merciful, and ever so gracious
🌞Your concern for those near or far, stranger or friend is not narrow but oh wide & spacious
🌞You look for the best in any bad or untoward situation
🌞Seeing in it an opportunity to offer God a sacrifice as a libation
🌞How quick you are to give the benefit of the doubt
🌞Feeling it's up to God & not you to count anyone out
🌞You most definitely, to a fault, put others before yourself
🌞It's your own self will that you most often don't mind putting on the shelf
🌞You are ever on the lookout
🌞And do reach out to those round about
🌞And any whom you can help after finding out what is their need
🌞You hesitate not to help with a prayer and or a smacking good deed
🌞You give without counting the cost
🌞you would rather it be you than someone else taking a lost
🌞You give and give and give
🌞With wishes that another can happily live
🌞God looks down below and your every kind act He can clearly see
🌞 Know not one will be forgotten, your payment will be great in eternity
🌞Misfortunes here could have crushed your heart of gold
🌞But in spite of all, it beats & flourishes cause you allow God to be in control
🌞You are tender and your disposition is sweet
🌞This isn't just talk, others who know you , know it's true just like any you might get a chance meet
🌞It is you, who are an example of what it's like to portray the godly
🌞 Endurance and perseverance, with a face every so smiley
🌞It's not in vain that my assessment is accurate & favorable
🌞Asking your family or coworkers their opinion will no doubt be one that's comparable
🌞That you're the person acting more God like than anyone else in my circle is true
🌞It's so evident by the things you say and from the heart most gladly do
🌞May upon you God place His mighty healing hands
🌞Bringing health and wholeness as graces descend & effectively with great force lands
🌞Mae you get the title of being the holiest
🌞A precious a gift from God, and as a sharing buddy you are the friendliest
🌞So bent on God exclusively in your life, having His own way
🌞Nothing for you like trying to listen & daily read Scripture to see what He has to say
🌞The key you well know to victorious living is by the Holy Spirit's power
🌞That's why you want to be in intimate fellowship wit God every minute on the hour
🌞You are so blest tobe able to see many faults, failings, & sins right on the spot
🌞Repentance and reconciliation is something that you're so happy to have as your lot
🌞Others like me witness your sorrow when with God you're out of sync
🌞What blesses your soul is knowing God's ability to make you ever strong, even if He is dealing with the weakest link
🌞Delightful you find all that He has created: people, places, and things
🌞The littlest of things rejoices & romances your heart filled with praises as it gladly sings
🌞Mae you're trying to love as you are loved, which is a very tall order
🌞It is clear that your tries are wholehearted, even when they make you seem like a martyr
🌞For you it's not about shirking & not from accepting what happens by God's provident hands
🌞Growth is the goal helping you to hold tight, firmly knowing that by grace alone one safely lands
🌞How beautiful the various attributes intertwine between both of you
🌞The scripture coming to mind summarizing you Clara dear, is Philippians, chapter two
Philippians 2:1 "If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy,2complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,4each looking out not for his own interests, but [also] everyone for those of others.5Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus," |
🌞Mrs. Mae, a reminder of you is Psalm 27:4
🌞It speaks unequivocally about you to your core
🌞It speaks unequivocally about you to your core
🌞A tribute to Clara and Mae
🌞Two beautiful spiritual examples & very nice friendships that are blessings at my feet God did lay
🌞Two beautiful spiritual examples & very nice friendships that are blessings at my feet God did lay
Book: "The Art of Worldly Wisdom, by Fr. Balthasar Gracián
Excerpts:
Make use of your Friends. "This requires all the art of discretion. Some are good afar off, some when near. Many are no good at conversation but excellent as correspondents, for distance removes some failings which are unbearable in close proximity to them. Friends are for use even more than for pleasure, for they have the three qualities of the Good, or, as some say, of Beingin general: unity, goodness, and truth. For a friend is all in all. Few are worthy to be good friends, and even these become fewer because men do not know how to pick them out. To keep is more important than to make friends. Select those that will wear well; if they are new at first, it is some consolation they will become old. Absolutely the best are those well salted, though they may require soaking in the testing. There is no desert like living without friends. Friendship multiplies the good of life and divides the evil. Tis the sole remedy against misfortune, the very ventilation of the soul"
Excerpts:
Make use of your Friends. "This requires all the art of discretion. Some are good afar off, some when near. Many are no good at conversation but excellent as correspondents, for distance removes some failings which are unbearable in close proximity to them. Friends are for use even more than for pleasure, for they have the three qualities of the Good, or, as some say, of Beingin general: unity, goodness, and truth. For a friend is all in all. Few are worthy to be good friends, and even these become fewer because men do not know how to pick them out. To keep is more important than to make friends. Select those that will wear well; if they are new at first, it is some consolation they will become old. Absolutely the best are those well salted, though they may require soaking in the testing. There is no desert like living without friends. Friendship multiplies the good of life and divides the evil. Tis the sole remedy against misfortune, the very ventilation of the soul"
Book: “The Art of Being a Good Friend", by Hugh Black
Excerpts:
"The nearer we get to the centre of the circle, the nearer we get to each other. To be joined together in Christ is the only permanent union, deeper than the tie of blood, higher than the bond of kin, closer than the most sacred earthly relationship. Spiritual kinship is the great nexus to unite men. "Who are My brethren?" asked Jesus, and for answer pointed to His disciples, and added, "Whosoever shall do the will of My Father in heaven the same is My mother and sister and brother." We ought to make more of our Christian friendships, the communion of the saints, the fellowship of believers. "They that feared God spake often one with another," said the prophet Malachi in one of the darkest hours of the church. What mutual comfort, and renewed hope, they would get from, and give to, each other! Faith can be increased, and love stimulated, and enthusiasm revived by intercourse. The supreme friendship with Christ therefore will not take from us any of our treasured intimacies, unless they are evil. It will increase the number of them, and the true force of them. It will link us on to all who love the same Lord in sincerity and truth. It will open our heart to the world of men that Jesus loved and gave His life to save.
This friendship with the Lord knows no fear of loss; neither life, nor death, nor things present, nor things to come can separate us. It is joy and strength in the present, and it lights up the future with a great hope. We are not much concerned about speculations regarding the future; for we know that we are in the hands of our Lover. All that we care to assert of the future is, that Christ will in an ever fuller degree be the environment of all Christian souls, and the effect of that constant environment will fulfil the aspiration of the apostle, "We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." Communion produces likeness. This even now is the test of our friendship with the Lord. Are we assimilating His mind, His way of looking at things, His judgments, His spirit? Is the Christ-conscience being developed in us? Have we an increasing interest in the things which interest Him, an increasing love of the things that He loves, an increasing desire to serve the purposes He has at heart? "Ye are My friends if ye do whatsoever I command you," is the test by which we can try ourselves.
Fellowship with Him, being much in His company, thinking of Him, seeking to please Him, will produce likeness, and bring us together on more intimate terms. For, as love leads to the desire for fuller fellowship; so fellowship leads to a deeper love. Even if sometimes we almost doubt whether we are really in this blessed covenant of friendship, our policy is to go on loving Him, serving Him, striving to please Him; and we will yet receive the assurance, which will bring peace; He will not disappoint us at the last. It is worth all the care and effort we can give, to have and to keep Him for our friend who will be a lasting possession, whose life enters into the very fibre of our life, and whose love makes us certain of God. We ought to use our faith in this friendship to bless our lives. To have an earthly friend, whom we trust and reverence, can be to us a source of strength, keeping us from evil, making us ashamed of evil. The dearer the friend and the more spiritual the friendship, the keener will be this feeling, and the more needful does it seem to keep the garments clean. It must reach its height of intensity and of moral effectiveness in the case of friendship with God.
There can be no motive on earth so powerful. If we could only have such a friendship, we see at once what an influence it might have over our life. We can appreciate more than the joy, and peace, and comfort of it; we can feel the power of it. To know ourselves ever before a living, loving Presence, having a constant sense of Christ abiding in us, taking Him with us into the marketplace, into our business and our pleasure, to have Him as our familiar friend in joy and sorrow, in gain and loss, in success and failure, must, in accordance with all psychological law, be a source of strength, lifting life to a higher level of thought, and feeling, and action. Supposing it were true and possible, it would naturally be the strongest force in the world, the most effective motive that could be devised: it would affect the whole moral outlook, and make some things easy now deemed impossible, and make some things impossible now to our shame too easy. Supposing this covenant with God were true, and we knew ourselves to have such a Lover of our soul, it would, as a matter of course, give us deeper and more serious views of human life, and yet take away from us the burden and the unrest of life."
Excerpts:
"The nearer we get to the centre of the circle, the nearer we get to each other. To be joined together in Christ is the only permanent union, deeper than the tie of blood, higher than the bond of kin, closer than the most sacred earthly relationship. Spiritual kinship is the great nexus to unite men. "Who are My brethren?" asked Jesus, and for answer pointed to His disciples, and added, "Whosoever shall do the will of My Father in heaven the same is My mother and sister and brother." We ought to make more of our Christian friendships, the communion of the saints, the fellowship of believers. "They that feared God spake often one with another," said the prophet Malachi in one of the darkest hours of the church. What mutual comfort, and renewed hope, they would get from, and give to, each other! Faith can be increased, and love stimulated, and enthusiasm revived by intercourse. The supreme friendship with Christ therefore will not take from us any of our treasured intimacies, unless they are evil. It will increase the number of them, and the true force of them. It will link us on to all who love the same Lord in sincerity and truth. It will open our heart to the world of men that Jesus loved and gave His life to save.
This friendship with the Lord knows no fear of loss; neither life, nor death, nor things present, nor things to come can separate us. It is joy and strength in the present, and it lights up the future with a great hope. We are not much concerned about speculations regarding the future; for we know that we are in the hands of our Lover. All that we care to assert of the future is, that Christ will in an ever fuller degree be the environment of all Christian souls, and the effect of that constant environment will fulfil the aspiration of the apostle, "We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." Communion produces likeness. This even now is the test of our friendship with the Lord. Are we assimilating His mind, His way of looking at things, His judgments, His spirit? Is the Christ-conscience being developed in us? Have we an increasing interest in the things which interest Him, an increasing love of the things that He loves, an increasing desire to serve the purposes He has at heart? "Ye are My friends if ye do whatsoever I command you," is the test by which we can try ourselves.
Fellowship with Him, being much in His company, thinking of Him, seeking to please Him, will produce likeness, and bring us together on more intimate terms. For, as love leads to the desire for fuller fellowship; so fellowship leads to a deeper love. Even if sometimes we almost doubt whether we are really in this blessed covenant of friendship, our policy is to go on loving Him, serving Him, striving to please Him; and we will yet receive the assurance, which will bring peace; He will not disappoint us at the last. It is worth all the care and effort we can give, to have and to keep Him for our friend who will be a lasting possession, whose life enters into the very fibre of our life, and whose love makes us certain of God. We ought to use our faith in this friendship to bless our lives. To have an earthly friend, whom we trust and reverence, can be to us a source of strength, keeping us from evil, making us ashamed of evil. The dearer the friend and the more spiritual the friendship, the keener will be this feeling, and the more needful does it seem to keep the garments clean. It must reach its height of intensity and of moral effectiveness in the case of friendship with God.
There can be no motive on earth so powerful. If we could only have such a friendship, we see at once what an influence it might have over our life. We can appreciate more than the joy, and peace, and comfort of it; we can feel the power of it. To know ourselves ever before a living, loving Presence, having a constant sense of Christ abiding in us, taking Him with us into the marketplace, into our business and our pleasure, to have Him as our familiar friend in joy and sorrow, in gain and loss, in success and failure, must, in accordance with all psychological law, be a source of strength, lifting life to a higher level of thought, and feeling, and action. Supposing it were true and possible, it would naturally be the strongest force in the world, the most effective motive that could be devised: it would affect the whole moral outlook, and make some things easy now deemed impossible, and make some things impossible now to our shame too easy. Supposing this covenant with God were true, and we knew ourselves to have such a Lover of our soul, it would, as a matter of course, give us deeper and more serious views of human life, and yet take away from us the burden and the unrest of life."