1. The first act of the mind on receiving any warning of our mortal
and most frail condition should be an act of recollection, a solemn
meditation on the power, wisdom, and goodness of the Most High, in
whose hands alone we are, who can kill and make alive.[1] Let us
think especially of the love which He has shown us in the gift of His
Son and the help of His Holy Spirit.
2. When our minds are thus sobered and composed, we must consider
what means are yet within our reach to interest God's power and mercy
in our favour. This may be best accomplished by repentance. To this
an examination of our past life is absolutely necessary.
In this examination let us attend to the following
cautions:--(1.) Let it be honest, however much this may humble us.
(2.) Let us not attempt to plead our own good deeds in extenuation of
our sins. (3.) Let us not be too particular or dwell too long in our
recapitulation of such sins as are gone by and are irremediable; for
these regrets, however natural, are useless, and beyond a certain
degree injurious. With such recollections a guilty pleasure may be
received in our souls; our fancy may return with more regret than
horror to the scenes of our former enjoyment. (4.) Let us be more
anxious to recollect those sins, if there be any, for which it is in
our power to make reparation. In this let us be most searching and
honest. Thorough restitution is essential to prove that our
repentance is genuine, and so also is sincere forgiveness of our
enemies.
3. Thus truly penitent, let us by faith grasp firmly God's promises
of forgiveness through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 John i. 9).
4. If we have been so unwise as to have left our worldly affairs
unsettled, let us not be influenced by any foolish fear of alarming
our family, or of appearing alarmed ourselves, from immediately
making such a disposition of our property as we shall not fear to
give account of in the hour of judgment.
5. Let us make up our mind to renounce the world entirely, and all
restless hope of recovery; resigning all our prospects entirely into
the hand of God, who is best acquainted with our wants and with the
wants of those whom we are about to leave behind; and who is
infinitely able to protect and provide for us and them (H. E. I. 157,
158, 4055).
6. That our meditations may become holy and comfortable, our
repentance sincere and effectual, our restitution humble and public,
our charity pure and edifying, our justice without taint, our
resignation without reserve, let us give ourselves diligently to
prayer (H. E. I. 177, 178, 3739-3746).
7. In order that we may be assisted in these spiritual duties, let us
send promptly for the minister of the Church to which we belong.