Letter 100. To a Superior of the Visitation

My Daughter,

Beware of answering those good Sisters or then-foundress otherwise than with the most invariable humility, gentleness, and sincere simplicity. “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves; they are S. PauFs words, inspired by the Holy Spirit* Human frailties are to be found sometimes even among God's own special servants, but if we are governed by true Love, we shall bear peacefully with them.

If those good souls despise our institution because they think it to be below their own, they lose sight of charity, which never despises those that are weaker 01 smaller than itself. True, they are more numerous than you, but do the Seraphim despise the lower Angels? and in Heaven, where our pattern of perfection is to be sought, do the greater Saints despise the lesser?

• In the Vulgate, “Non vosmetipsos defendentts^ charissimF • Rom. xii. 19.

Letters, R

After all, the truth is that he who loves most will be most loved, and he who has loved best will receive the greatest glory. Love God devotedly, and love all His creatures for His Sake, especially those who despise you, and then do not be perturbed. The evil one exerts himself because he sees that our little institution promotes God's Service and Glory, and he hates it the more that it is the least and last of all, for he is an arrogant spirit, and hates whatever is lowly, because it tends to foster humility, and he, ever proud, haughty, and arrogant, fell from his first estate because he would not accept the spirit of humility. Do you labour on in humility and abjection, and let others say or do what they will “ Except the Lord build the house, their labour is but lost that build it" * But if He build it, their labour is but lost who would pull it down. He knows when and with what souls He will fill your monastery. Be at rest. I am, &c

[694.] CIV.