1. That he should reform within himself the false maxims of the world by the principles of the faith. "Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord. The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth; proving what is acceptable unto the Lord." Eph. v. 8. 2. That he should cleanse himself from his sins and their miserable remains by penitence, especially that of the heart. "Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance." Luke, iii. 8. "A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise." Ps. li. 3. That he should become a perfect Christian by exercising himself in piety and the practice of virtues. "Exercise thyself unto godliness." 1 Tim. iv. 7. 4. That he should acquire the ecclesiastical spirit. "We have received not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God." 1 Cor. ii. 12. 5. That he should apply to the study of the ecclesiastical sciences. "Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine." 1 Tim. iv. 16. II. VOCATION. "And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." Heb. v. 4. "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you." John, xv. 16. In order to know whether he is called by God to the ecclesiastical estate, the seminarist studies the marks of vocation, and gives an account to his director of his actual disposition, and of his conduct before his entry into the seminary. The principal marks of vocation are-- 1. To have no other intention but the glory of God and the salvation of souls. "I seek not mine own glory." John, viii. 50. "I have ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain." John xv. 16. 2. To repent of one's sins, preserving in the heart contrition and the feeling of one's unworthiness for a state so holy and so sublime as that of the priesthood. "My sin is ever before me." Ps. li. "My heaviness is ever in my sight." Ps. xxxviii. 3. To love the rule of the seminary, observe it exactly, and be very faithful to direction. "O my God, I am content to do it; yea, Thy law is within my heart." Ps. xl. 4. Not to seek to please the world. "If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." Gal. i. 10. 5. To practise the Christian virtues, and to aim at the perfection of the ecclesiastical state. "Ye are the salt of the earth. Ye are the light of the world." Matt. v. 13. 6. The most necessary and the most certain mark is the decision of his director, when he has given him complete knowledge of himself, after having prayed with fervour and purity of heart. "He that heareth you, heareth me." Luke, x. 16. III. SPIRIT OF THE SEMINARY. "If any one has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." Rom. viii. 9. The seminarist who wishes to profit by his stay in the seminary, and by its exercises, strives to direct his conduct and actions according to the spirit of our Lord, which is entirely opposed to that of the world. The features of that spirit are--