Behold again the Disciple whom Jesus loved St. John; whose purity of soul endeared him above all the rest of the holy band to the Sacred Heart; chosen to be the Evangelist who should reveal the mystery of the Incarnate Word, and see the vision of the Glory of God.

Think how Our Lord Himself has declared that it is the "Pure in heart" who " shall see God"; and then take heed to the commandment which has been proclaimed to you to-day. Shun, as you would a pest, the company of those whose conversation and manners are worse than any plague or disease. Close your ears to every suggestion of the evil one. Resist at the very beginning every wicked desire, for with such sins no one is strong enough to dally for a moment hesitation means ruin. Have the "Fear of God" upon you. Remember that in a moment He can destroy you. It is Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, who bids us "fear him, who after he has slain has power to cast both soul and body into hell."

Fear God then. Call upon Jesus: upon Mary. "Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation." Remember that the promises of Christ are "to him who overcometh." So strive as "good soldiers of Jesus Christ" against the powers of evil that some day you may enjoy that eternal Vision of God which is promised to those who live in purity: "Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God."

PENTECOST

MAY, 1890

WHEN as Americans we look abroad over this vast country of ours, we must feel a natural pride at being citizens of a land so extensive, so full of prosperity and happiness, a country that already has realized so much of human hope and, what is more, in the future bids fair to fulfill in its progress the fairest promises that even the most enthusiastic hold out. When we see with what rapid strides it marches on in the paths of every branch of human industry; how it has overtaken and even surpassed in some respects the course of nations centuries older; when we see her people content and prosperous, her institutions flourishing and growing in strength and stability, is it not natural to speak of her in pride and admiration and to invite others to come and behold her beauty and strength, to see for themselves the signs of her greatness, and the promise of still greater achievements? And, too, is it not natural to trace back its history to its origin? to the first act that set it on its way an individual state, a nation with an independent place among the nations of the world; a country with a responsibility of its own? Is it not natural to inquire what was the character of that first impulse that launched it forth into national life, to grow and flourish for the benefit of its citizens and humanity?

But besides being citizens of this Republic we are by God's grace subjects of an Empire that extends not only

from Atlantic to Pacific and from Maine to Florida, but one which is bounded only by the limits of the world; for its domain reaches wherever man is to be found, and its rule is published and obeyed in every land that human foot has trod. Its institutions are to be seen everywhere; its ministers are in every land; and its whole history has been one of beneficence and profit to humanity. How natural then must it be to us to feel an interest in the glory of such an Empire, to publish to the world its beauty and strength and to invite all the world to study its history back through almost two thousand years to the very day when it stood forth in the world a real organization, with its laws, its principles, its rulers, an Empire perfect in its very beginning. For never upon earth was seen a Kingdom like this. Among the political organizations of the world never has one shown the wisdom, the knowledge, the power of this.

What, then, was her origin? What was the beginning of this Church's history? To-day we celebrate the birthday of the Church; for upon the day of Pentecost she came into existence and took her place as a real organized existence. To-day she came forth perfect from the hands of God, with a power the world had never seen before, with a mission from God Himself - such a feeble thing in the sight of men, but to wield a power ever after that would sway the world.

Our Blessed Lord had appeared to His disciples after His Resurrection, and had instructed them thoroughly in "the things that concerned the Kingdom of God" that Church which He had purchased by His Precious Blood. Many an hour by the sea of Tiberias He walked with them in holy companionship, discoursing upon the character, the nature, the virtues of the sublime mys

teries which He had come to reveal to them, and which they were to teach to all nations to be believed and held until the end of time. During the same forty days between His Resurrection and Ascension He had also taught them what the Church was to be; what its organization, its laws, its relations to society, and all the other problems concerning the planting of the new faith which He had given His life to establish.

When the forty days had passed He assembled them all together, and there gave them a final charge, blessing them and bidding them not to fear. While still He spake to them the heavens opened, Christ ascended upon the clouds, and the wondering Apostles stood following Him with their hearts and eyes unto Heaven. Then they that loved Him saw Him no more.

They were left alone, bereft of Him who had been all-in-all to them. No wonder they stood looking up to Heaven, for henceforth the earth was nothing to them, for Christ had left it. But they recalled the promise He had made to them; and now they begin to understand the meaning of the words He spoke to them some time before. "It is expedient for you that I go, for if I go not the Paraclete will not come to you. But if I go I will send Him to you," and they return to the Holy City to await in prayer this coming of the Spirit of Truth who was to “guide them into all truth, and bring all things to their remembrance, whatsoever He had said unto them in their evangelizing of the nations till He should come again.

Upon these poor Galilean fishermen and peasants a task had been imposed that might well have made the boldest hearts quail with fear a task before which even the loftiest minds and geniuses might have trembled. The

work to which they were henceforth to devote themselves was no less a one than the conquest of the world. These men had neither lofty genius nor sublime courage. Humanly speaking they were most unfitted for the task. They were without learning, without power, without influence. They had been taken from the lowest ranks of society, and probably had much of the narrowness and prejudice common in the class from which they sprang. Here before them was the world-the world of the rich, the powerful, the great, the learned. How unequal the contest; upon one side poverty, ignominy, ignorance, upon the other everything that appears great and strong. What an unequal fight! A handful of such men against the whole world; to take from men that which they most cherished-their pleasures and their pride; and persuade them to embrace what most they feared and despised — suffering and humility. How were such men to win over a luxurious and vicious world to a religion that makes the carrying of the Cross its indispensable condition? Human prudence would have smiled in derision and incredulity at the thought. But they had God's word, and faltered not. Even now they were waiting for the power, the wisdom, the courage for their task, for that anointing which was to be to them both sword and shield; and they were all together in one place. Then "suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind and filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues, as it were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost."

Here then is the secret of their future strength, their wisdom, their perseverance. The Paraclete, the Spirit of