Letter 76. To a Superior of the Visitation

ON HER DUTIES.

My very Dear Daughter, Ocu 2, 1619.

Beware of being disheartened by any little murmurs or by any fault that may be found with you. Indeed, dear daughter, I can assure you that the art of faultfinding is very easy, and that of amending most difficult. Very little talent is needful to pick holes in those who govern, or in their administration; and when we are reproved, or our defective system of rule is set before us, we ought to listen meekly to everything, and then lay it before God, taking counsel with those who are our coadjutors in the work; after which the right thing is to do what seems for the best, with a holy confidence that God's Providence will turn all things to His Own Glory.*

Do not be hasty in making promises, but take leisure to think well over any matter of importance. This is necessary, both for the well-being of the work, and for your personal humility. S. Bernard, writing to a certain Arducius (who was a predecessor of mine in the See of Geneva), says, ‘‘ Do ever3rthing subject to the advice of but few persons, giving heed that they be peaceable, wise, and good.” You should consult with those under you so discreetly as not in any way to lessen the respect which they bear you, or to make them imagine that you cannot do without them; rather they should feel that you consult them out of modesty and humility, and because it is in accordance with your constitutions. You understand, my dear daughter, that as far as possible the love our inferiors bear to us ought not to lessen their respect, nor should their respect lessen their love.

If there is any Sister who does not hold you in sufficient reverence, let it be mentioned to her by any one of the other Sisters through whom you think it will come best, not as from you, but as of herself: but your gentleness must not run any risk of being mistaken for timidity; therefore, if any Sister should be intentionally wanting in due respect, it would be well for you privately and gently to admonish her that it is her duty to honour your office, and to co-operate with the rest in maintaining the dignity of that which binds the whole commimity together as one body and one soul....

Now, my dear daughter, hold fast to God, and be humbly courageous for His Sake. Moreover, I pray you often commend my soul to Him. I cherish your soul most exceedingly, and wish it a thousand blessmgs. When I say do not show this letter, I mean, do not show it indiscriminately. If it is a comfort to you to show it to any special person, pray do so.

Yours, &C.

C48a.] LXXIX.