COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES FOOTNOTES: [54] Prov., ix, 4. [55] Is., lxvi, 12, 13. [56] _Cf._ Ps., lxx, 17, 18. [57] Ps., cii, 8, 13, 14. [58] Luke, xv, 31. [59] _Cf._ Zach., xiii, 6. [60] _Cf._ Luke, xv, 22. [61] Matt., v, 48. [62] Ps., cii, 14. [63] Apoc., xxii, 12. [64] Wisdom, vi, 7. [65] _Cf._ Ps., lxxv, 10. [Illustration] SELF-ABANDONMENT I cannot think without rapture of the dear little Saint Cæcilia: what a model! In the midst of a pagan world, in the heart of danger, at the moment when about to be united to a mortal who sought none but earthly love, it seems to me that she ought to have trembled and wept. But no, _while her bridal was celebrated with joyful melody Cæcilia was singing in her heart_.[66] What abandonment to God! Without doubt she listened to other melodies than those of earth; her Divine Spouse, He too, was singing, and Angel choirs sang again the refrain of one most blessed night: “_Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will._”[67] The glory of God!--Oh! Cæcilia understood it; most earnestly did she long for it. She divined that her Jesus was athirst for souls ... that is why her whole desire was that she might lead speedily to Him the soul of the young Roman, who dreamed of naught but human glory: this wise Virgin will make of him a martyr, and multitudes will follow in his footprints. She fears nothing: the Angels have promised and have sung of peace. She knows that the Prince of Peace is bound to protect her, to shield her virginity and to give to her its recompense. “_O how beautiful is the chaste generation!_”[68] XVII LETTER TO HER SISTER CÉLINE I had offered myself to the Child Jesus to be _His little plaything_. I had told Him not to use me like a costly toy which children are pleased to look at without daring to touch; but as He would a little ball of no value, that He might throw to the ground, toss about, pierce, leave in a corner, or else press to His Heart if so it pleased Him. In a word _I wanted to amuse the little Jesus, and to give myself up to all His childlike fancies_. HIST. D’UNE AME, CH. VI My heart is entirely filled with the will of Jesus; therefore when anything over and above falls to its share, this does not penetrate to its depths; it is a mere nothing which easily glides by, as oil on the surface of limpid water. Ah! if my heart were not filled up beforehand, had it to be filled by the sentiments of joy or of sadness which so quickly succeed each other, bitter indeed would be this flood-tide of pain; but these rapid alternations do no more than ruffle the surface of my soul, and I remain ever in a profound peace that nothing can disturb. HIST. D’UNE AME, CH. XII