Letter 94. To Madame De Chantau

My Dearest Mother,

As regards receiving women (into the Order), there is great danger of erring on the side of human prudence — of trusting too much to nature, too little to God's Grace. I find it difficult to prevent too much weight being given to delicacy of health and bodily infirmity. You would have none that are blind, or lame, or feeble, come to the feast In a word, it is hard work to fight against human respect, and give heed only to lowliness and simple charity.

I have written kindly, as you wished, to Sister N., and that most sincerely, for I have a real affection for the poor child. I do not believe any one has a more hearty, tender, sincere love of souls than I have, and perhaps I overflow somewhat in expression thereof at times. You know that this is the truth; God has made me thus. But, nevertheless, I like independent, vigorous souls, who are free from feminine littleness: an excessive softness bewilders the heart, disturbs it, distracts it from loving communion with God, and hinders perfect resignation and death to self. All that is not God should be as nought to us.

It seems to me that I love nothing save God, and all souls for God. May it be in and for Him alone. Dear Mother, there is no end to this subject Be happy, filled with God, and His Holy Love. Good night f<568.1 XCVII.