You love GOD, do you not, dear one, whom GOD surrounds with so much
affection?
Yes, yes! I love Him!
And how do you prove to Him your love?
I keep myself pure and innocent, so that His Eye falling upon me may never
see anything that displeases Him. I keep myself calm and quiet, and force
myself to smile that He may see I am contented.
_That is right, but that is not enough._
I think often of how much I owe Him, and apply myself diligently to the
work He has given me to do; I bear patiently with those I dislike, with
troubles that irritate me; when I am weak I call upon Him, when timid I
draw near to Him, when sinful I implore pardon, and strive to do my duty
more faithfully.
_That is right, but that is not enough._
I lend myself to the importunities of others. I am as a slave to those who
need me, and take care never to judge any one harshly.
_That is right, but still it is not enough._
Ah! then what more can I do, good angel, thus addressing me, what can I do
to show my love to GOD?
Devote thyself to doing good to the souls of others.
Oh, if you knew how it pleases GOD to see you laboring for them! It is
like the joy of a mother, every time she sees some one benefiting her
child.
How thankful she is to those who nursed it in sickness, spared it pain,
showed it some token of affection, a counsel, a warning, that gave it
pleasure, by a kind word, a plaything, a smile!
All this you may do in that circle, more or less extended, in which you
live.
Leave to GOD'S minister, if you will, the work of converting souls, and
limit your efforts to doing good by bringing yourself into communion with
them.
To do so, means sweetly, unconsciously, softly, speak to them of GOD,
carry them to GOD, lead them to GOD.
This may be done by gently, tenderly--by inference as it were--speaking to
them of GOD, thus leading them towards Him, bringing them into contact
with Him.
Hearts are drawn together by talking of their kindred pursuits, souls by
speaking of heavenly things.
It is not necessary for this purpose to pronounce the name of GOD; it will
suffice that the words shall lift the soul beyond this material world and
its sensual enjoyments, and raise them upwards to that supernatural
atmosphere necessary to the real life.
Speak of the happiness of devotion, the charm of purity, the blessing of
the few minutes' meditation at the feet of JESUS, the peace procured by
entire resignation to Providence, and the sweetness of a life spent
beneath GOD'S Fatherly Eye, the comfort the thought of heaven brings in
the midst of trouble, the hope of the meeting again above, the certainty
of eternal happiness. This is doing good to others, drawing them nearer to
GOD, and teaching them more and more of holiness.
Limit your efforts to this; later on I will tell you what more you may do.