ach you how best to sail the world's tempestuous sea--with the
self-abandonment of a child well aware of a father's love, and of
his vigilance in the hour of danger.

I long so much to make you understand the expectant love of the
Heart of Jesus. Your last letter has made my own heart thrill
sweetly. I learnt how closely your soul is sister to mine, since
God calls that soul to mount to Himself by the _lift of love,_
without climbing the steep stairway of fear. I am not surprised
you find it hard to be familiar with Jesus--one cannot become so
in a day; but this I do know, I shall aid you much more to tread
this beautiful path when I lay aside the burden of this perishable
body. Ere long you will exclaim with St. Augustine: "Love is my
lodestone!"

IX

July 26, 1897.

When you read these few lines I shall perhaps be no more. I know
not the future; yet I can confidently say that my Spouse is at the
door. It would need a miracle to keep me in exile, and I do not
think that Jesus will work that miracle--He does nothing that is
of no avail.

Brother, I am so happy to die! Yes, happy . . . not because I
shall be free from suffering: on the contrary, suffering combined
with love seems the one thing worthy of desire in this vale of
tears; but happy to die because far more than on earth I shall
help the souls I hold dear.

Jesus has always treated me as a spoilt child. . . . It is true
that His Cross has been with me from the cradle, but for that
Cross He has given me a passionate love . . .

X

August 14, 1897.

I am about to go before God, and I understand now more than ever
that one thing only is needful--to work for Him alone, and do
nothing for self or creatures. Jesus wishes to own your heart
completely. Before this can be, you will have much to suffer . . .
but oh! what joy when comes the happy hour of going Home! I shall
not die--I do but enter into Life . . . and whatsoever I cannot
tell you here upon earth I will make you understand from the
heights of Heaven. . . .
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[1] Matt. 26:39.

[2] Isa. 9:6.

[3] This letter and the following are addressed to a Seminarist.
[Ed.]

[4] John 14:2.

[5] Ps. 102[103]:8, 14, 13.

[6] Cf. Matt. 19:14.

[7] John 14:2.

[8] Luke 12:34.

[9] Cf. Zach. 13:6.

[10] Cf. Luke 15:22.

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PRAYERS OF SOEUR THERESE, THE LITTLE FLOWER OF JESUS

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AN ACT OF OBLATION