ver does it permit the keeping of a painful thought against any
of the brethren, and does all in its power to hinder them from the
same; and, moreover, excuses all signs of contempt, ingratitude,
rudeness, peculiarities, etc.

Cassian makes mention of a religious who, having received a box on
the ear from his abbot in presence of more than two hundred
brethren, made no complaint, nor even changed colour. St. Gregory
praises another religious, who, having been struck several times
with a stool by his abbot, attributed it not to the passion of the
abbot, but to his own fault. He adds that the humility and
patience of the disciple was a lesson for the master. This charity
will have no small weight in the balance of Him Who weighs merit
so exactly.

Charity gives no occasion to others to suffer, but suffers all
patiently, not once, but all through life, every day and almost
every hour. It is most necessary for religious, as, not being able
to seek comfort abroad, they are obliged to live in the same
house, often in the same employment with characters less
sympathetic than their own. These little acts of charity count for
little here below, and they are rather exacted than admired. Hence
there is less danger of vainglory, and all their merit is
preserved in the sight of God.

XIII

EIGHTH CHARACTERISTIC

_To practise moderation and consideration_

TELL-TALES, nasty names, cold answers, lies, mockery, harsh words,
etc., are all contrary to charity. St. John Chrysostom says: "When
anyone loads you with injuries, close your mouth, because if you
open it you will only cause a tempest. When in a room between two
open doors through which a violent wind rushes and throws things
in disorder, if you close one door the violence of the wind is
checked and order is restored. So it is when you are attacked by
anyone with a bad tongue. Your mouth and his are open doors. Close
yours, and the storm ceases. If, unfortunately, you open yours,
the storm will become furious, and no one can tell what the damage
may be." If we have been guilty in this respect, let us humble
ourselves before God.

"The tongue," says St. Gertrude, "is privileged above the other
members of the body, as on it reposes the sacred body and precious
blood of Jesus Christ. Those, then, who receive the Holy of Holies
without doing penance for the sins of the tongue are like those
who would keep a heap of stones at their doors to stone a friend
on arrival."