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 Christlike. 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 When in the morning we feel no courage, no energy for the practice of virtue, this is a grace, this is the moment to “_lay the axe to the root of the tree_”[101] depending solely on Jesus. If we fall all is retrieved by an act of love, and Jesus smiles. He helps us without appearing to do so, and the tears which the wicked cause Him to shed are dried by our poor feeble love. II LETTER TO HER SISTER CÉLINE We must practice the little virtues. This is difficult sometimes, but the good God never refuses the first grace, which gives courage to conquer self: if the soul corresponds to it she will find that she immediately receives light. I have ever been struck with those words of praise to Judith: “_Thou hast done manfully, and thy heart has been strengthened._”[102] We must first act with courage, then the heart is strengthened and we go from victory to victory.