Chapter V. External causes of the corruption of the heart

Article I

TJve That/rm that results from particular friendships a/ad the cmiversation of the imperfect.

Particular friendships and frequent and familiar conversation generally tend to detraction, petty intrigues and cabals, complainiugs, ridicule of each other, infringement of the rules, waste of time, and other like faults.

We ought to cultivate an universal charity, and converse with all indifferently in time of recreation ; we must neither avoid nor seek out individuals, nor form a particular intimacy with any one, without having first so far tried him as to have reason to hope we may profit by his good example to make progress in virtue.

It is advisable, however, to have some" one in the house in whom we may place confidence, and whose advice we may ask when in doubt ; he will recommend the matter to God, and then give us his opinion with sincerity.

Article II

TlhtfavUs vye ought to (woid in conversation.

We should take heed that our conversation be not puerile, and that in our mutual intercourse we are not wanting in gravity, respect, and courtesy ; we should be careful not to fall into the habit of contradicting each other, or of making excuses when we are blamed ; we should beware of talking too much, and neglecting to talk of spiritual things, and indulging in unguarded effusions, and in our conversations and recreations filling our mind with a multitude of subjects, which serve only to produce uneasiness and dissipation of spirit.

We ought never to remit our self-recollection, or forget for a moment the presence of God ; but maintain constantly a modest and humble demeanour, talk little, and only of such things as are profitable ; defer one to the other ; and break ourselves of that spirit of contradiction which disposes us to take exception at another's opinions.

§n.

Our conversation ought to be courteous and obliging, mild and pleasing, tempered with a modest cheerfulness and gravity, accommodated to the humours of others, without contradiction and carping, jesting and raillery, levity and flattery, free from the compliments and manners of the world, accompanied with discretion and simplicity, full of edification, animated hy the Spirit of God, and seasoned with the holy unction which grace imparts to such souls as are fully possessed by it § in. Both in conversing and in paying visits we should take care that our heart and our mind do not stop short at exterior things, and limit themselves thereto. Whatever may present itself to our senses, we ought inwardly to say, " Away, away ; this is not what I seek ; what I seek is union with God ; it is God only that I desire."

Article III

Ofunprofitdble visits and conversation.

A large proportion of the visits that are made serve only to cause distractions. They who in this matter act only on natural principles will not gain upon seculars in a whole month as much as they who are guided by supernatural motives will in a day.

We must mortify as much as possible a curiosity for hearing news, and the itching desire to retail it. Nothing is more opposed to the interior spirit, or more dissipating to the heart. As a fish dies when it is taken out of the water, because it is no longer in its element, so the spirit of recollection is lost amidst these worldly conversations for the same reason, — it is out of its element, How astonishing to see (as nevertheless sometimes happens) a monk or a nun whom God has withdrawn from . the entanglements of the world, and pla<;ed in religion as in an earthly paradise, where they may nourish themselves with the bread of angels, the fruit of life, the hidden manna; where, in recollection, in prayer, in the very rigours of penance, they may taste sweet-nesses and consolations which fully satisfy the heart, where they may drink at their source the pure waters of grace ; souls to whom God offers the joys of heaven, and who might find in God their happiness, even in this life, — amusing themselves, like people of the world, with pleasures which flatter the senses, taking delight in reading some profane book, seeking their satisfaction in visits, the news of the day, empty talk, familiar conversations, in which so many hours are wasted, — precious time, which they steal from their exercises of devotion, the duties of their occupation, and the calls of obedience ; — and how is it that they can do this 9 what is the charm by which they thus suffer themselves to be deceived 1 FasdncUio rmgadkUis ohacwrcU bona. Trifles have power to fascinate a soul consecrated to Jesus Christ by ties so holy, by vows so many times renewed. Trifles prevent its. knowing the good things which God has prepared for those who, by a generous self-denial, leave all to give themselves to Him.

What torrents of holy rapture did God pour into the soul of a St. Francis Xavier, when, after the toils and dangers of a journey of five or six thousand leagues, he said, that for one only of those divine consolations with which his soul overflowed, he would willingly expose himself again to the same sufferings ; and that every one would do the like, had God given him to taste of the same sweetness !