large a part to the service of our neighbor? How often do we thank God for his goodness? How often do we pray to him? how often _think_ of him? If we do not think of him, of course we do not love him. Love makes us very thoughtful of another’s wishes. When people love each other, they joy in thinking of each other; they treasure souvenirs of each other; they like to make each other presents of things they think will please; they steal an hour from daily cares or nightly rest to write letters to each other. Our heavenly Father’s arms are around us all day,—his infinite bounty blessing us, his careful providence making for us home, friends, all; yet we do not think of him, or wish to do anything to please him. Conscience tells us that our heart is hard and cold to our best Friend; and that is by no means a pleasant piece of information. Moreover, it is evident that this condition of self-dissatisfaction is not a good one. _Self-reproach may be a wholesome medicine, but it is a bad food._ We cannot do our work while we are finding fault with ourselves. The man whose conscience is always tormenting him is in a morbid state. He is a spiritually sick man,—sick of too much medicine. What must be done? He is always looking at his sins, and that disqualifies him for doing his duties. What shall he do? This question in its Jewish form is stated thus: HOW SHALL HE BE JUSTIFIED BEFORE GOD? If God can excuse him, he can excuse himself. How, then, can he know that God looks at him not as a sinner, but as a just man, so that he can look on himself not as a sinner, but as a just man? This is the problem. What are its solutions? In the Jewish mind, the Jewish law had brought the conscience into an extremely irritable state. The same effect, in a less degree, is produced by the Catholic confessional. § 4. Reaction of Sin on the Soul.