an example she gives us! In the midst of a pagan world, in the
very heart of danger, at the moment when she was to be united to a
man whose love was so utterly of earth, it seems to me as if she
should have wept and trembled with fear. But instead, "during the
music of the marriage-feast Cecilia kept singing in her
heart."[37] What perfect resignation! No doubt she heard other
melodies than those of this world; her Divine Spouse too was
singing, and the Angels repeated in chorus the refrain of
Bethlehem's blessed night: "Glory to God in the highest, and on
earth peace to men of goodwill."[38]

The Glory of God! St. Cecilia understood it well, and longed for
it with all her heart. She guessed that her Jesus was thirsting
for souls . . . and that is why her whole desire was to bring to
Him quickly the soul of the young Roman, whose only thought was of
human glory. This wise Virgin will make of him a Martyr, and
multitudes will follow in his footsteps. She knows no fear: the
Angels in their song made promise of peace. She knows that the
Prince of Peace is bound to protect her, to guard her virginity,
and to make her recompense. . . . "Oh, how beautiful is the chaste
generation!"[39]

Dearest sister, I hardly know what I write; I let my pen follow
the dictates of my heart. You tell me that you feel your weakness,
but that is a grace. It is Our Lord Who sows the seeds of distrust
of self in your soul. Do not be afraid! If you do not fail to give
Him pleasure in small things, he will be obliged to help you in
great ones.

The Apostles laboured long without Him, they toiled a whole night
and caught no fish. Their labours were not inacceptable to him,
but He wished to prove that He is the Giver of all things. So an
act of humility was asked of the Apostles, and Our loving Lord
called to them: "Children, have you anything to eat?"[40] St.
Peter, avowing his helplessness, cried out: "Lord, we have
laboured all the night, and have taken nothing."[41] It is enough,
the Heart of Jesus is touched. . . . Had the Apostle caught some
small fish, perhaps our Divine Master would not have worked a
miracle; but he had caught _nothing,_ and so through the power and
goodness of God his nets were soon filled with great fishes. Such
is Our Lord's way. He gives as God--with divine largesse--but He
insists on humility of heart.

XVIII

July 7, 1894.

MY DEAR LITTLE SISTER,--I do not know if you are still in the same
frame of mind as