_LET the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, abound in your lips and hearts._ [2] If we have to do with a difficult soul, let us not be discouraged, nor ever abandon her. Let us have always "_the sword of the Spirit_" to reprehend her for her faults, and not allow things to pass for the sake of leaving ourselves in repose; let us fight unceasingly, even without hope of gaining the victory. What matter about success! Let us fight on, whatever be the weariness of the struggle. Let us not say: "I can make nothing of this soul, she does not understand; I must give it up." Oh! what cowardice that would be. We must do our duty unto the end. [Sœur Thérèse in these passages refers to her charge as Mistress of Novices.] COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES [2] Ephes., vi, 17. THE novices expressed their surprise at finding that she guessed their most hidden thoughts. "Here is my secret," she said to them: "I never give you any advice without invoking the Blessed Virgin; I ask her to inspire me to say what will do you the most good, and I myself am often astonished at the things that I teach you. I simply feel in saying them to you, that I am not deceived and that Jesus speaks to you by my mouth." HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. XII "GIVE us some advice as to how we ought to act concerning our spiritual direction," they said to her. "With great simplicity and without depending too much on assistance, which may fail you at any moment. You would soon be forced to say with the Spouse in the Canticles: '_The keepers . . . took away my veil from me and wounded me_,' it was only '_when I had a little PASSED BY them I found Him whom my soul loveth_.' [3] If with detachment you humbly inquire where is your Beloved, _the keepers_ will direct you. Nevertheless, most frequently, you will find Jesus only after you have _passed by_ all creatures. For my part, I have many a time repeated this verse of the Spiritual Canticle of St. John of the Cross: Send me no more A messenger Who cannot tell me what I seek. All they who serve Relate a thousand graces of Thee; And all wound me more and more, And they leave me dying, WHILE THEY BABBLE I KNOW NOT WHAT." _Trans. D. Lewis, M. A._ COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES [3] Cant., v, 7; iii, 4. THE BLESSED VIRGIN HOW I love the Blessed Virgin! Had I been a Priest, oh! how I should have spoken of her. She is represented as unapproachable, rather ought she to be shown as imitable. She is more Mother than Queen. I have heard it said that all the Saints are eclipsed by her radiant brightness as the sun at rising makes the stars disappear. How strange that seems--a mother eclipsing the glory of her children! I think quite the contrary. I believe that she will immensely increase the splendour of the elect . . . The Virgin Mary! how simple does her life appear to me. . . HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. XII