Faithfully fulfilling every duty. GOOD WORDS. Zealous without affectation, encouraging, consoling, peaceful, joyful, loving. These are possible every day. GOOD DEEDS. Service rendered by alms, by industry, by influence. Ills remedied, by excusing, justifying, protecting, defending, concealing faults and mistakes; if possible, by repairing them. Joys provided, for the _mind_, by a joyous manner; for the _heart_, by loving thanks; for the soul, by a word of Heaven. MY DUTY TOWARDS MYSELF COURAGE. In trials and adversity, disturbance, sickness, failure, humiliations. Worries that trouble without reason. Ill temper controlled, in order not to pain others. After failures, to begin again. In temptations, to withstand them. ORDER AND METHOD. In my occupation, each at its appointed hour. In my recreation. In all material things, for my benefit. Shunning scruples and constraint as much as caprice and folly. NOURISHMENT. Pious thoughts, read, meditated upon, and sometimes written. Books that elevate and excite love for all that is good and lovely. Conversations that refresh, rejoice, and cheer; walks that expand the mind, as well as strengthen the body. XIII. THE POWER OF AN ACT OF LOVE TOWARDS GOD Have you ever reflected upon this? Let us consider the exact words that describe it. "_I love Thee with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my strength, because Thou art so good, so infinitely good!_" Try and repeat these words slowly, so that each may penetrate deep into your heart. Do you not feel moved, as if your whole being in these words went forth to GOD, offering to Him life itself? Do you not feel, in making this Act of Love, you give far more than if you gave your wealth, influence, or time; nay, rather does not this very act seem to bring you riches, strength, opportunities, all that you possess? Picture to yourself, standing before you, a child--a child perhaps who may have injured you deeply, and yet whose sincerity at this moment you cannot doubt, who is actuated neither by fear nor self-seeking, but simply by a penitent heart, and who comes to say to you words of love, such as those above, do you feel no emotion, no feeling of pity? I defy you to be without some emotion, not to feel your arms extending, perhaps in spite of you, to embrace this poor child, and not to answer, "_I also love thee_." I have yet another test to put to you, poor, desolate, guilty, hopeless as you are, seeing only within and around you, _fears_, _terror_, and--ay, let me say it--_damnation_. I defy you to kneel and say these words (laying a greater stress on them because of the repugnance you feel): "_My God! I love Thee with all my heart, with all my strength, with all my soul, above everything, because Thou art so good, so infinitely good!_" and then not to feel that JESUS is moved with compassion, and not to hear His Voice, saying to you, "My child, I love thee also!"