And death, nevertheless, has come to a great many of the people whom I then knew, young, rich and prosperous. I like to go back in thought to their beautiful dwellings, to ask myself where are they, and what benefit do they now draw from the castles and parks where I saw them enjoying all the comforts of life . . . And I reflect that _"all is vanity"_ [2] _"but to love God and to serve Him alone."_ [3] HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. IV [1] _Cf._ Wisdom, iv, 12. [2] Eccles., i, 2. [3] _Imit_., I, i, 3. WHAT compassion I have for souls who are going astray. It is so easy to lose one's way in the flowery paths of the world. Undoubtedly for a soul who has risen a little above the things of earth, the sweetness offered is intermingled with bitterness, and the immense void of its desires cannot be filled by the praises of a moment. HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. IV WE have but life's brief day to save souls and thus to give to Jesus proof of our love. The morrow of this day will be Eternity and then He will render to you a hundredfold for the joys which you have sacrificed for Him. He knows the extent of your sacrifice, He knows that the grief of those dear to you increases your own still more; but to save our souls He has Himself suffered this martyrdom. He too, left His Mother, He saw the Immaculate Virgin stand at the foot of the Cross, her heart transpierced by the sword of sorrow. Ah! if the Divine Master would but grant to those whom you are going to leave for His sake, a foresight of the glory He reserves for you, the multitude of souls who in heaven will form your train, they would be already recompensed for their great sacrifice in parting with you. II LETTER TO HER MISSIONARY "BROTHERS" THE good God has promised a hundredfold to all who have left father or mother or sister for love of Him. These words are, I know, usually applied to those who have entered the religious state, but in my heart I feel that they were also spoken for the generous parents who make to God the sacrifice of children whom they cherish more than self. LETTER TO HER COUSIN JEANNE GUÉRIN HOW can a heart given up to human affection be united intimately to God? That, I feel is not possible. I have seen so many souls deluded by this treacherous light, dart into it like the poor moth and burn their wings, then return wounded to Jesus, the Divine Fire which burns without consuming. HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. IV IN giving oneself to God the heart does not lose its natural tenderness; on the contrary, its love grows deeper by becoming more pure and more Christ-like. HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. IX THERE are souls for whom God's mercy wearies not of waiting, and to whom He gives His light only by degrees. HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. X