15. On bearing one another's burthens

" Aller aherius cmera portote.''^* " Bear yc one another^s burdens.'''' 1 . As we all are but one body in Christ, so we ought to preserve fraternal charity, knit together in the bond of peace ; and ever be united in the pursuit of virtue. o c We are all members of Christ, regenerated in baptism, by the grace of the Holy Spirit ; redeemed by the passion of Christ ; purified by the blood of Christ ; fed by the body of Christ ; instructed by the words of Christ ; confirmed by the miracles of Christ ; and led to virtue by the example of Christ ; why then, my brethren, would ye seek to hurt one another ?

He that offers an affront to his brother, be it in word or deed, offers an affront to Christ; and He shall avenge and punish the wrong, if the offender shall not speedily repair the injury and atone for his conduct.

We all have God for our Father in Heaven ; we are consequently all brethren in Christ ; whatever be the country or kindred whence we are collected here below, and whether we be of obscure or of noble blood.

One God hath made us all ; it is the same God who preserves and governs us ; it is the same God who called us, — who still daily calls us by His word from without, by contrition from within, to the same beatitude. It is the same God, who promises to manifest Himself eternally to us, in the presence of His angels, and to be oiu- eternal recompense, in the harmonious blessedness of all the inhabitants of the heavenly kingdom.

If, therefore, we are all called by the same God, redeemed by the same price, imbued and sanctified by the same spirit, let it be our constant endeavour to love and serve one another.

If we would be pleasing to Christ, " let us bear one another's burthens," for Christ's love ; and let us pray one for another in charity, for God is equally in each of us, and each of us in Him.

Whatever imperfection or folly we observe in our brethren, we ought charitably and considerately to excuse them, as we would that they would excuse us.

2. Beloved brother, bear with others, and they will bear with thee ; excuse, and thou wilt be excused ; pity the weaknesses of the sinner, and thou wilt be pitied ; comfort him that is afflicted, and thou shalt be comforted by him that is in joy ; raise up him that falls, and thou shalt be raised up by the help of God.

As th(m wilt have done to another, so also shall it be done unto thee, by the just and terrible retribution of God. o c c o Be not astonished, nor indignant, if man, who is frail, fall in this world ; angels fell in heaven ; and Adam, in the earthly paradise, overcome by the attraction of a pitiful apple.

A very little thing often tempts a man violently : and a trifle that hardly deserves notice, often grievously affects him. God justly permits this to be so, to teach us that if we do not resist small trials, we cannot overcome great ones.

3. Be full uf indulgence and kindness to thy brother when he is tempted ; and pray for him when he is in tribulation, as for thyself.

The good which happens to thee, becomes mine, when I rejoice with thee for it ; and thy misfortunes are mine, when I sympathize with thee in them ; for all men are frail, and therefore it is o o the duty of all charitably to pray one for another.

We must not upbraid others with defects, and despise them for such, when we overlook the like in ourselves ; for it would be as a blind man mocking the blind, or the deaf, him that cannot hear, or a fool that laughs at a fool.

Never speak to the disadvantage of one over whose conduct thou hast no charge ; look rather to thyself, and repair the evil thou findest there.

If thy intention be good, and thou really mean to correct the faults of thy brother, begin by correcting thy own ; thou msfcyest then proceed to the reformation of his, not with ill natured or over heated zeal, but with prudence and modesty.

If thou lovest me sincerely, and with a brother's affection, be as indiligent to me as thou art to thyself, and pray for me.

He that would correct his brother, and thinks that he is dispensed with praying for him, and excused from having compassion for his infirmities, is neither a kindhearted nor a sensible physician, but a cruel enemy and a burthensome railer.

He that prays for others, as well as for himself, does two good actions.

The more deeply thou art penetrated with just sentiments of fraternal charity, the more cheerfully and promptly wilt thou pray for thy brother, asking God to grant him grace to amend, and to cease to be a scandal to the weak : so the deeper will thy sorrow be, if he refuse to listen, or if he take thy warnings For each one is to his brother, either a fragrant rose, or a troublesome thorn.