We have borrowed two things from the present age--and those by no means the best of what it possesses--which do us a vast amount of injury. The first is, a profound weakness of character, which prefers a petty, vulgar, and rather sensual existence, disposing us to lead the life of a retired tradesman. The second is a tendency to _officialism_. We blame that tendency in others; but are we not somewhat bureaucratic ourselves? We consider those among us to be great men who are what is called good administrators. {303} The accessory has usurped the place of principal. Administration is every thing: in certain localities it stifles the sacred ministry. If Saint Paul himself were to return to earth, he would hardly be deemed fit to be the curé of a canton, unless he was judged to be well versed in administration. Yet when Christ placed Saint Peter at the head of His Church, he did not put the question to him:--"Canst thou administer well?" but, "Lovest thou Me? lovest thou Me? Art thou quite sure that thou lovest Me?"--that is, Dost thou know how to save the souls of men? how to devote thyself, how to die for their sakes? This brings us back again to the subject of zeal. There are many earnest-minded priests in France--most admirable men in every respect. Among the laity also, there is no lack of zeal, devotion, and the spirit of self-sacrifice ... A Christian who has no zeal is not tolerated: in fact, there is much more of it than is generally supposed. Now, something like this frequently happens:--On going to a town which has hitherto exhibited no signs of zeal, you ask the priest:--"How comes it that you have no associations, no society of apprentices, of operatives, or of the _Sainte Famille?_ What are you about? It is a shame!" ... He will reply:--"How can I help it? I have no colleagues, and no laymen are available. {304} Besides, our people do not like to be drawn out of their old habits: it is not with us as it is elsewhere." ... You then make the same observations to the laymen, and they immediately answer:--"Pray, don't mention it, for it is not our fault. We should like nothing better; but we have no priests to take the lead, and to tell us how to act. Our priests are excellent men in their way, but _they cannot step out of their routine_." It should be our endeavor, therefore, to bring priests and laymen together; then there will be a mutual understanding between them, and both will heartily coöperate in doing good. For, at any cost, we must save souls. That is our duty, our joy, our crown, that whereon our whole future depends; and what is said of men of the world, who have made a false step in life, will be said of the priest who fails in that respect--he has lost his chance.