_Colloquy_ with Mary, about the _Fourth Joyful Mystery_, and the _First Dolour_. _Resolution._ To throw in my lot with JESUS and Mary. _Spiritual Bouquet._ "Ecce adsum." Wise Men and Babes "_Thy heart shall wonder and be enlarged when the strength of the Gentiles shall come to Thee._" (Isaias lx. 5.) _1st Prelude._ A picture of the Wise Men. _2nd Prelude._ Grace to understand that nearness to JESUS and Mary means the Cross. _Point I._--THE WISE MEN Mary had much to meditate about as she turned her steps homewards to Bethlehem. She knew, for the Angels had said so at His birth, that her Son was to be the Saviour for "all the people"; but Simeon in his song of praise had gone further, and said that He was to be for "all peoples," emphasising the fact that He was to be "a light to the revelation of the _Gentiles_." And so the subjects to ponder over were ever increasing, and Mary's heart was ever enlarging. She had now to pray for the great world outside, as well as for GOD'S chosen people. Thus was her heart being prepared to receive the next worshippers at the shrine of the Infant GOD, and it may be that when they arrived--perhaps soon after the first anniversary of her Son's birth--it was no surprise to her that they were _Gentiles_. "Gentiles shall walk in Thy light, and kings in the brightness of Thy rising; they shall come from afar, bringing gold and frankincense and showing forth praise to the Lord." (Isaias lx. 3-6.) All this was fulfilled in the little house at Bethlehem. The Wise Men, firstfruits of the Gentile world, had had faith enough to overcome every obstacle, and during their journey of, perhaps, some months, had had but one idea--namely, to follow the star which GOD had put in the heavens for them, and by its means to find the new King, Who was to be their Saviour. Mary's prayers had no doubt helped them to make light of their many difficulties, and when their star had brought them right to the house which they sought, "they entered in and found the Child with Mary, His Mother." They were quite at home at once; their faith was so strong, that the unexpected surroundings and the poverty did not strike them as incongruous. They had found what they sought, and their joy and satisfaction were complete. As soon as they were in the Real Presence their conversion was an accomplished fact. Mary showed them her Child, "and falling down they adored Him." It was to _Mary_ that they offered their gifts out of gratitude for all that the Holy Child, to Whom they felt that they now belonged, had done for them. It was _Mary_ whom they thanked for her gracious hospitality. It was _Mary_ who guided the little Hand to bless them ere they took their departure. It was to _Mary_ that they explained that from henceforth their lives would be devoted to the service of the new King and the spreading of His kingdom among the Gentiles. It was _Mary_, the Mother of the Way, who