ss; as salt, when
it loses its saltness, no longer stimulates, and as the bow on the
stretch, unless it is unbent, loses the force it gets from its
elasticity. Continuously intent upon its work, the mind wants rest;
and dropping to the physical life, it seeks pleasures there that
answer to its activities. As is the mind in them, such are the
pleasures, pure or impure, spiritual or natural, heavenly or infernal.
If it is the affection of charity which is in them, all diversions
will recreate it--shows, games, instrumental and vocal music, the
beauties of field and garden, social intercourse generally. There
remains deep in them, being gradually renewed as it rests, the love of
work and service. The longing to resume this work breaks in upon the
diversions and puts an end to them. For the Lord flows into the
diversions from heaven, and renews the man; and He gives the man an
interior sense of pleasure in them, too, of which those know nothing
who are not in the affection of charity.

--_Doctrine of Charity, nn._ 127, 128, 130

THE DIVINE PROVIDENCE

"He leadeth me."

--_Psalm_, XXIII, 2

THE DIVINE PURPOSE

The Divine Providence has for an end a heaven which shall consist of
men who have become angels or who are becoming angels, to whom the
Lord can impart from Himself all the blessedness and felicity of love
and wisdom.

--_Divine Providence, n._ 27

THE LAWFUL ORDER OF PROVIDENCE

In all that proceeds from the Lord the Divine Providence is first.
Indeed, we may say that the Lord _is_ Providence, as we say that God
is Order; for the Divine Providence is Divine Order with regard above
all to the salvation of man. As order is impossible without laws, it
follows that as God is order so is He the Law of His order. And as the
Lord is His Providence, He is also the Law of His Providence. The Lord
cannot act contrary to the laws of His Providence, for to act contrary
to them would be to act contrary to Himself.

--_Divine Providence, n._ 331

A WORLD-WIDE LEADING

The Lord provides that there shall be religion everywhere, and in each
religion the two essentials of salvation, which are, to acknowledge
God, and not to do evil because it is contrary to God. It is provided
furthermore that all who have lived well and acknowledge God should be
instructed by angels after death. Then, they who, in the world, were
in the two essentials of religion, accept the truths of the Church,
s