Letter 145. To a Young Lady. on her Entrance into the Fashionable World

THE FASHIONABLE WORLD.

My Dearest Child,

You will often find yourself among the children of this world, whose wont it is to ridicule whatever they see, or fancy they see, in you different from their own bad ways. Now do not take pleasure in arguing with such people; — be cheerful and bright, laugh at their ridicule, treat their contempt with contempt, divert their remonstrances, treat their mocking with playfulness, pay as little attention to it all as you can, and go on cheerily in God’s Service, and often commend all such poor souls to God’s Mercy in your prayers. They deserve pity when they treat things which should command reverence and respect with levity.

You are surrounded with all that makes this life pleasant; give good heed that your heart does not cleave to such things. Solomon, the wisest of men, began his downward course by taking delight in the magnificence and grandeur with which he was surrounded, although it was all in keeping with his position. It is well always to remember that we are really no better than others because of all we possess, and in truth it is all less than nothing in the Sight of God and His Angels.

Remember, dearest child, to try and do God’s Will in that which is hardest to you. It is but a small thing to please Him after our own liking; true childlike dutifulness requires us to please Him when we do not like it, recollecting the words of His Own Beloved Son, “ I came not to do Mine own Will, but the Will of Him that sent Me.” You were not made a Christian that you might work your own will, but that of Him Who has adopted you as His child and heir.

Well, and so you are going, and I too am going away, and without any hope of ever seeing you again in this world. Let us pray that God will give us both grace so to fight through our pilgrimage that when we reach the Heavenly Country we may rejoice that we had met here, and had talked together about the mysteries of Eternity. The only real cause for rejoicing in earthly ties is when they tend to His Eternal Glory, and our everlasting salvation.

Strive to retain a hearty, holy brightness, which strengthens your own heart, and edifies others. Go on in peace, my dearest child, and may God ever be your Protector. May He ever uphold you with His Hand, and lead you in the path of His Holy Will. So be it, dearest child. I promise daily to renew my prayers for your soul, which will be beloved eternally by me. To God be all praise, thanksgiving, and blessing. Amen.

tsxo.] CL.