18. On solitude and silence

" Ecce elnncravi fugiens, et mansi in solitudine."* " Lo, I have gone far f>ff, fiying away, and I abode in the wilderness.'^ 1 . And Avhy ? — because of the numerous advantages which will come to my soul in so doing ; as well as to guard and restrain my heart from the various distractions with which the world allures the senses.

What the eye has not seen, or the ear has not heard, can neither excite our regret, nor trouble the peace of our soul.

Solitude and silence therefore o o are profitable to inward peace, and dispose us for the gift of fervent prayer ; and it is much more easy to find solitude and silence in the retirement of the closet, than in the tumult of the world.

As the fish soon dies when taken out of the water, so a pious man, who allows himself to be carried away by the world, speedily yields to distraction and becomes sullied in soul.

The wise bee abandons the flower as soon as it has gathered the honey, and returns with joy to deposit in its hive, the provisions that are to nourish it in the dearth of winter ; wherefore it lays up carefully in its cell the treasure of its sweetness, before it resumes its airy course, lest it lose the fruit of its labours. For precious perfumes become more sweet by being put in a close vessel, but lose, o o in a little time, all their virtue when exposed to the open air.

Flov/ers in like manner, long preserve their beauty in the enclosure of a garden, whose walls protect them, but quickly fade when gathered by the hand of man.

Roses bloom freshly in the sheltered inclosure ; but wither in the public way, and are trodden under foot.

2. So does the pious and religious man lose the sweetness of devotion, when lightness or inconstancy often leads him into the tumult of the world ; but he that flies from its distraction, sheds abroad from his retreat the sweet odour of sanctity.

Exposed to the wind the taper is extinguished, — enclosed in a lanthorn it continues to burn ; so is it with devotion ; it is preserved most securely in the secret chamber, but is soon dissipated if exposed to the agitation of worldly business.

Love, then, solilude and silence, if thou wouldst enjoy devotion and peace of heart ; for he that would move among men unhurt, must, indeed, be well covered in armour of a celestial kind, — unshaken faith, well grounded hope, and ardent charity.

Like the blessed Virgin Mary, who dwelt alone in her chamber, entertaining her soul with the holy angel, whom God had sent to her from Heaven ; may the love of devotion keep thee in solitude and in. thy closet, that to thee also may come the holy angel, the messenger of heaven, and faithful guardian of thy soul, and that thou mayest keep off the evil one, and all his illusions.

A devout lover of silence hath o said, " It is seldom, after much oonversation with men, that my conscience has not something to reproach me with : — and another, •' Our words should be very edifying, to be preferred before silence :" — and a third, " That a word is indeed good when spoken in seathat keepeth his mouth closed, shall not be guilty of detraction or lying."

3. With what esteem and pleasure does not one listen to the dis» course of a man who permits nothing bad, nothing vain, nothing deceitful, nothing false to pass his lips.

Many speak much, and of many things ; but never without peril, for the tongue is naturally prone to evil. He that cleaves to solitude, watches over his tonsue, and prays frequently, shall find much peace.

Esteem the o^ood man who practises virtue in silence ; rebuke the babbler who gives himself up to idle words ; but avoid the craltv dissembler.

Fly from the tumult of the world ; love a silent and retired life: imitate the humble and devout ; bear patiently with those that molest thee, for the sake of Christ crucified.

4. A novice once asked an aged brother which rule or statute in the Ordinal was the most sure means of attaining true peace and devotion, the old man gave him this remarkable answer : " Keep the silence enjoined by thy fathers, avoid the tumult of men, and shun idleness."

There are three things indispensable in. a religious life, and are moreover most pleasing to God and His angels : — 1st. Manual labour, to overcome sloth : — 2nd. The study and reading of holy books, to ])revent diso o relish and weariness of heart : — 3rd. The continual use of prayer, to counteract the stratagems of the devil.

The ancient fathers of a spiritual life, taught, and the modern ones repeat ^^\er them, that silence and prayer draw down benedictions from God, give to the soul profound light, and dispose it to meditate with much fruit on the highest mysteries.

But he that lives in dissipation and distraction of mind, and who fosters idleness by frivolous discourse, makes himself unworthy of the heavenly gifts and becomes a trouble to his brethren.

The vain man cannot long keep silence, for he wishes to pass for wise, and to be praised above others.

He that talks presumptuously is deservedly blamed by many ; but cy o he that keeps a modest silence obtains the esteem of all.

He that despises himself, and who thinks others better than himself, shows great humility of heart ; but great is the pride of him who is self-sufficient, who persists in his own opinion contrary to the will of God, and in opposition to all his brethren.

This vice is the most dangerous leprosy of all ; what God abhors and often strikes with sudden death.

He that is simple and innocent, and submits humbly to authority, shall be always in joy, and nothing shall shake his security.

Be sparing in words ; avoid frivolous conversation ; speak nothing but what is profitable ; do all things with modesty ; so shall thy praise be great among thy brethren.

" Be moderate in all things — moderation is the fairest of viro o tues,"* and so Christhimself teaches us : " Have salt in you, and peace among you."t And the apostle St. Paul : " Let your speech be always in grace, seasoned with sah."| And holy Job, when he says, " Can an unsavoury thing be eaten that is not seasoned with salt."-^ 5. The chaste and modest man sets a continual watch over his mouth and heart, and all his affections, that naturally incline to evil, lest he fiill into sin, and offend God, or his neighbour : but there is no compunction in the heart of him who takes pleasure in listening to idle tales, and repeating them to others.

He that guards not his heart and sets not a watch at the gate of his lips, shall lose in a very little o c while the grace of compunction ; and a religious man, fond of talking, soon passes the bounds of moderate conversation.

If thou hadst the crucified Jesus in thy heart, thy mouth would not lend itself so easily to vain and idle conversation ; but since thou hast not Jesus steadfast in thy heart, thou seekest abroad for consolations, weak and illusory, and but ill-adapted to calm the afflictions of that heart ; for Jesus alone can afford it true consolation, and heal the wounds which sin has made.

In a little moment, with one word. He can assuage all thy infirmities ; for the grace of God is more powerful for good, than the influence of the evil one is suggestive of evil.

Why dost thou lend thy ears to the vain rumours of the world ; which so often trouble and distract the heart ? Why dost thon refuse to listen to the sweet instructions of Christ, who day and night offers thee consolation and strength aoainst all tribulations.