do, we can only turn our eyes to Thee, O Lord." But when we have no choice, when we find ourselves in the midst of events which are destined by the providence of God, and come suddenly upon us, we must exercise our will in that obedience which is called resignation and conformity to the Divine will. This, however, does not consist in a sluggish, passive, indolent repose; else those peasants would have been right, when they saw their cottages in flames, and stood by sighing, 'It has happened by the will of God;' but in a resignation which, with a peaceful, cheerful activity, leaves the consequence to God. It was thus that the hero of the Macchabees resigned himself when he led out his little and ill-armed band against the overpowering armies of Gorgias and Lysias. "It is better," he said to his followers, "for us to die in battle, than to see the evil of our nation and of our holies. Nevertheless, as it shall be the will of God in heaven, so be it done." Of this active, peaceful resignation to the providence of God, which is the fairest flower in the life of a Christian, a noble princess1 has given an example in our own times. A review of my past life,' she confessed, proves clearly to me, that all that my imagination had painted to me for the future has not happened as it promised, but far otherwise; all that it represented to me as intolerable has proved, in the event, not only tolerable, but the greatest good; and all that I counted the greatest good, and therefore desired, has been happily denied to me. Therefore do I feel myself impelled to unconditional resignation to the The Princess Gallitzin. will of God, and I resign myself to His providence, as does the child to the arms of its mother.' An illustrious example of this resignation has been preserved in the life of St. Remigius, Archbishop of Rheims. Foreseeing that a year of famine was approaching, he made ample provision for the poor of his flock. But there was found a company of worthless men, who, sitting over their tankards, spoke of his watchfulness as drunkards are wont to speak. 'What can this old man mean?' they said; he is approaching his eightieth year. Is he going to build a new city? Is he going to carry on trade, and become a corndealer?" Incited by envy and insolent wickedness, they ran out and threw fire into the granaries. The news was quickly carried to the Saint, who, mounting on horseback, hastened to make preparations for saving the corn; but the fire had gained such power, that he soon saw that his attempts were too late. What did he, who was so afflicted at the sight, then do? Did he raise his voice in lamentations, and call down the vengeance of God on the malefactors? No. He dismounted from his horse, and (it was winter) he approached the fire, as one who would warm himself. To an old man,' he said, a fireplace is always acceptable.' These trials may come from the elements, from other irrational creatures, or from wicked men ; but the Christian, who fears God, will receive them from the hands of His providence: and, as no reasonable man would think of accusing the lightning, or hail, or water, so neither will he be troubled against the persons of those whose wickedness God does not prevent, that He may prove and purify those whom He has chosen as His own. For if there be joy and happiness, in a word, a heaven upon earth, it is enjoyed only by those whose virtue is founded on a conformity with the Divine will. But how far is this conformity to extend? Can we be counselled, or even commanded, to wish and to desire that which may be contradictory or painful? When St. Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, after many persecutions, was at length driven from his bishopric and from the country, and was already on shipboard, the winds were so unfavourable to his voyage, that the sailors were compelled to turn and steer again for the coast of England. With grief the Saint received this intelligence; for it told him that he was to return to the scene of all his troubles. But if,' he said, 'it should so please God, that, instead of going where I desired to go, I should be thrown again into the midst of bitter sufferings, may His holy will be done. I am ready to obey His holy will; for I am not my own, but His.' Thus he spoke, and tears filled his eyes, when suddenly there arose a favourable wind, and the sailors, who had despaired of their voyage, hastened to continue it. It appeared, therefore, that his resignation to the will of God was speedily rewarded; for, as it is said in the Psalm, "The Lord is nigh to all those who call upon Him in truth. He will do the will of those who serve Him with fear, and will hear their cry." But what is there great in resignation which is accompanied with tears and complaint? Is that perfect resignation to the will of God which is not shewn without opposition? The same St. Anselm shall give us further instruc tion on this subject. He says, in his writings, that we are not always to wish what God may wish; but we must always wish the reason for which God wishes it.' What do these apparently enigmatical words signify? They take us back to the consideration, that the will of God is to be done, both in us and towards us. The will of God, which is to be done in us, or by us, is declared to us; and here it behoves us at all times to wish that which, according to this law, we are bound to wish, namely, that which is good, right, and true. The Divine will, on the other hand, which is done towards us, and is first made known by its effects in time, would oftentimes be so trying for us, that we should not always be bound to pray that it may be done. Who would, for example, be bound to pray that fire may destroy his house, or that death might come upon himself or family? But when such an event does take place, we are bound to resign ourselves truly to the will of God. Thus spoke St. Chrysostom, when, immediately before his banishment, he addressed his last homily to his flock, Christ is with me, whom, then, shall I fear? If the whole of the entire ocean were raging against me, it would appear to me as nothing; for my words shall always be, O Lord, Thy will be done. Not what this or that man may will, but what Thou willest; Thy will is my strength, my rock, and my staff.' Whence did he derive this tranquillity of mind? Only from the grace which Christ imparts. He who shall often express the wish that Christ would prove him and strengthen him by His grace, gives (as the holy St. Gertrude teaches) to Him the keys of his interior, |