Letter 34. To his Sister, Madame De Cornillon

ON THE DEATH OF THEIR YOUNGEST SISTER, JEANNE DE SALES.

My Dear Sister and Daughter, May 15, 1609.

Let your religion be that of joy. How happy you will be if you can follow this out 1 Our dear little sister, who has gone hence so suddenly and in so Christianlike a way, has rekindled my soul to the love of that Sovereign Good, to Which everything in this brief life should be referred. Let us love one another fondly, my dear sister, and together seek the Saviour of our souls, through Whom Alone we can find happiness. I am full of hope that you will go on serving, obeying, and adoring our Dear Lord more and more faithfully, and I can wish you no greater blessing.

The many troubles in your household (of which my good brother told me the other day) will tend to your edification, if you strive to bear them all in gentleness, patience, and kindness. Keep this ever before you, and remember constantly that God’s Loving Eye is upon you amid all these little worries and vexations, watching whether you take them as He would desire. Offer up all such occasions to Him, and if sometimes you are put out, and give way to impatience, do not be discouraged, but make haste to regain your lost composure. Bless those that afflict you, and then, dear child, God will bless you. I pray Him most heartily so to do, my beloved sister and very dear child, to whom I am most entirely devoted.

1*77.1 XXXVL