2. This Is the Second Step

THE first fruit of Goodwill is voluntary Poverty, in which consists the Second step by which we mount the Ladder of the Life of Love.

The voluntarily Poor lead a free life, stripped of all care of terrestrial goods, whatever be their necessities. Like a wise merchant, they exchange earth for Heaven, as our Lord teaches : "Ye cannot serve God and Mam mon." For this reason, abandon ing all likely to attach them to earth, they choose Poverty of their own free will. Such is the field in which is found that Pearl of great price, the Kingdom of

Love's Gradatory

God : " Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God."

This Kingdom of God is Love and Charity, while at the same time bringing forth good works ; prodigal of self, merciful, clement and serviceable; truthful and a good counsellor to all who appeal for help ; so that at God's Judgment Seat, side by side with rich spiritual gifts, may stand the works of Mercy. Of terrestrial goods the Poor in spirit keeps nothing entirely for himself, all he has is in common for God and God's great family. Happy he who possesses nothing perish able; he walks in the steps of the Christ, and receives as re compense a hundredfold in

Love's Gradatory virtue ; he lives in expectation of the Glory of God and Eternal Life.

On the contrary, the miser is really mad, he gives away Heaven for Earth, although he must lose that as well.

The poor in spirit to Heaven climbs up, But to Hell the miser shall surely drop. Through the needle's eye can the camel win ? Then the miser to Heaven may enter in.

And even should he be de nuded of earthly goods, if he reject God and die avaricious, he is lost for ever.

For although in Poverty he may live, Of the little he hath if he grudge to give,

He yet dies a miser and goes to Hell. For the avaricious prefers the shell

Love's Gradatory

To the egg's good meat, or the nut's sweet core. To possess great goods, or a golden store,

Is to take a poison that deathward tends, And to drink a sorrow that never ends. After drinking, the greater his thirst will be; Having more, for ever yet more craves he.

Having much, he never is satisfied : What he sees he lacks ; to his swelling pride

All he owns appeareth as nought be side. Not oft is he loved by his kind on earth,

For of love the miser is little worth. He may well be likened to demon's claw, What he grips he loosens not from his paw.

Death alone can rifle the things that he By his fraud has gained, or by treachery. At the last, however, ill-gotten gains He must lose, to suffer Hell's bitter pains, And the evil likeness alone remains. For in spite of glut Hell is never shut, And he is no better for having much :

Love's Gradatory

All he holds he seizes with greedy clutch. Then, refrain from avarice ; 'tis the root Of all sin and melancholy to boot.