In the south of France, during the summer, little children and old and
infirm poor who are incapable of hard work, in order to earn a livelihood,
employ themselves in searching the beds of dried up rivers for "Paillettes
d'Or," or golden dust, which sparkles in the sun, and which the water
carries away as it flows. What is done by these poor people and little
children for the gold dust GOD has sown in those obscure rivers, we would
do with those counsels and teachings which GOD has sown almost everywhere,
which sparkle, enlighten, and inspire for a moment, then disappear,
leaving but regret that the thought did not occur to collect and treasure
them.
Who is there that has not experienced at some time in his life those
teachings so soft and gentle, yet so forcible, which make the heart
thrill, and reveal to it suddenly a world of peace, joy, and devotion?
It may have been but a word read in a book, or a sentence overheard in
conversation, which may have had for us a two-fold meaning, and, in
passing, left us touched with an unknown power.
It was the smile on the lips of a beloved one whom we knew to be
sorrowful, that spoke to us of the sweet joy of resignation.
It was the open look of an innocent child that revealed to us all the
beauty of frankness and simplicity.
Oh! if we had but treasured all the rays of light that cross our path and
sparkle but for a moment; oh! if we had but engraved them on our hearts!
what a guide and comfort they would have been to us in the days of
discouragement and sorrow; what counsels to guide our actions, what
consolations to soothe the broken heart!
How many new means of doing good!
It is this simple work of gathering a little from every source--from
nature, from books, above all, from mankind itself--that is the intention
of one of your fellow-creatures, dear souls, you who long so to make your
lives more holy and devout!
And in the same way as the gold dust, gathered and accumulated from the
river's bed, was the means of bringing a little profit to the hearth, so
would we endeavor to carry a little joy to your hearts, and peace to your
souls.
Gather, then, these little counsels; gather them with watchfulness; let
them for a moment penetrate deep into your heart; then scatter them abroad
again, that they may go with their good words to the help of others.
They will not be importunate, will not even ask to be preserved; they do
not desire fame; all that they seek is to convey a transient blessing.