Third Letter

To the Reverend Mother

My Reverend and Greatly Honoured Mother, — I have received to-day two books and a letter from Sister, who is prepar- ing to make her “ profession,” and upon that account desires the prayers of your holy Community, and yours in particular. I perceive that she reckons much upon them; pray do not disappoint her. Beg of God that she may make her sacrifice in the view of His love alone, and with firm resolution to be wholly devoted to Him. I will send you one of those books which treat of the Presence of God, a subject which in my opinion contains the whole spiritual life. It seems to me, that whosoever duly practises it, will soon become spiritual.

I know that for the right practice of it, the heart must be empty of all else; because God wills to possess the heart alone: and as He cannot possess it alone unless it be empty of all besides, so He cannot work in it what He would, unless it be left vacant to Him.

There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and more delightful, than that of a continual walk with God; those only can comprehend it, who practise and experience it. Yet I do not advise you to do it from c 33 that motive, it is not pleasure that we ought to seek in this exercise; but let us do it from the motive of love, and because God would have us so walk.

Were I a preacher, I should preach above all other things, the practice of the Presence of God: were I a “ director,” I should advise all the world to it; so necessary do I think it, and so easy.

Ah! knew we but the need we have of the grace and the succour of God, we should never lose sight of Him, no, not for one moment Believe me; this very instant, make a holy and firm resolution, never again wilfully to stray from Him, and to live the rest of your days in His Holy Presence, for love of Him surrendering, if He think fit, all other pleasures.

Set heartily about this work, and if you perform it as you ought, be assured that you will soon find the effects of it I will assist you with my prayers, poor as they are. I commend myself earnestly to yours, and to those of your holy Community, being theirs, and more particularly, — Yours, etc.