Letter 8. To the Abbesse du Puits d’Orbe

IN SICKNESS.

.... As to meditation, I beg that you will not be disturbed if sometimes, or indeed often, you find no comfort in it; — go on quietly in humility and patience, without straining your mind. Use a book when your

1 English Version, “Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine.” — I. Tim. iv. 16.

spirit grows weary; that is, read a little, and then go on meditating to the end of your half-hour. Saint Theresa began dius, and as we are talking in confidence, I may add that I have tried the plan myself, and find it answer. Take it as a rule that the grace of meditation is not to be won by mental effort, only by a gentle, loving perseverance, full of humility.

As to the hour of going to bed, you must allow me to abide by my opinion; but if you cannot stay in bed as long as the others, I will allow you to get up an hour earlier. Indeed, dear Sister, you cannot think how harmful it is to sit up late at night, or how seriously it weakens the brain. People do not feel this while they are young, but they find it out afterwards, and many have made themselves useless in this way.

I fear the operation on your leg will be very suffering, but be brave — ^we belong to Jesus Christ, and suffering is His badge. Try and think that the surgeon’s knife is one of the nails which pierced His Feet.... You say that I may imagine how little you can serve God while confined to your bed, but indeed, my dear Sister, I think otherwise. When did our Saviour offer His greatest service to His Father? Surely when hanging on the Cross, with pierced Hands and Feet. And how did He serve God? By suffering, and offering His sufferings as a sweet perfume to His Father. And such is the service you can offer to God as you lie upon your bed; you will suffer, and offer your suflferings to His Majesty. He will be with you in this trial, and will comfort you.

He sends your cross; embrace, cherish it for love of Him. David said in his trouble, ‘‘ I became dumb and opened not my mouth, for it was Thy doing; as though to say, “Were it from some other hand, I should reject it, but being Thine, I am silent, I accept, I revere my sorrow.”

Do not doubt but that I will pray our Lord for you, that as He causes you to be a partaker of His sufferings, He will fill you also with His own patience. I shall be with you in spirit through it all. But here is a precious balm to soothe your pain: — Every day take a few drops of the Precious Blood from our Saviour^s pierced Feet, and by meditation apply it to your pain, invoking the sweet Name of Jesus, which is “ as ointment poured forth; ” * and the smart will be lessened.

Your obedience to your physician will be accepted by God, and remembered at the day of reckoning.

‘ Cajit. i. 3.

f^5.3 IX.