My child, it is not wisdom _I_ require of thee, it sufficeth if thou lovest Me well. Speak to Me as thou wouldst talk to thy mother if she were here, pressing thee to her heart. * * * * * _Hast thou none for whom thou wouldst intercede?_ Tell Me the names of thy kindred and thy friends; and at the mention of each name add what thou wouldst have Me do for them. Ask much fervently; the generous hearts that forget themselves for others are very dear unto Me. Tell Me of the poor thou wouldst succor, the sick thou hast seen suffering, the sinful thou wouldst reclaim, the estranged thou wouldst receive to thy heart again. Pray fervently for all mankind. Remind Me of My promise to hear all prayers that proceed from the heart; and the prayer offered for one who loves us, and is dear to us, is sure to be heartfelt and fervent. * * * * * _Hast thou no favors to ask of Me?_ Give Me, if thou wilt, a list of all thy desires, all the wants of thy soul. Tell Me, simply, of all thy pride, sensuality, self-love, sloth; and ask for My help in thy struggles to overcome them. Poor child! be not abashed; many that had the same faults to contend against are now saints in heaven. They cried to Me for help, and by degrees they conquered. Do not hesitate to ask for temporal blessings,--health, intellect, success. I can bestow them, and never fail to do so, where they tend to make the soul more holy. What wouldst thou this day, My child?... If thou didst but know how I long to bless thee!... * * * * * _Hast thou no interests which occupy thy mind?_ Tell Me of them all.... Of thy vocation. What dost thou think? What dost thou desire? Wouldst thou give pleasure to thy mother, thy family, those in authority over thee? what wouldst thou do for them? And for Me hast thou no ardor? Dost thou not desire to do some good to the souls of those thou lovest, but who are forgetful of Me? Tell Me of one in whom thou hast interest; the motive that actuates; the means thou wouldst employ. Lay before Me thy failures, and _I_ will teach thee the cause. Whom wouldst thou have to help thee? The hearts of all are in My keeping, and _I_ lead them gently wheresoever _I_ will. Rest assured, all who are needful to thee, _I_ will place around thee. _Oh! My child, tell Me of all thy weariness_: who has grieved thee? treated thee with contempt? wounded thy self-love? Tell Me all, and thou wilt end by saying, all is forgiven, all forgotten ... and _I_, surely _I_ will bless thee!... _Art thou fearful of the future?_ Is there in thy heart that vague dread that thou canst not define, but which nevertheless torments thee? Trust in My Providence.... _I_ am present with thee, _I_ know all, and _I_ will never leave thee nor forsake thee. Are there around thee those seemingly less devout than formerly, whose coldness or indifference have estranged thee from them without real cause?...