of them, every day unconsciously doing acts of goodness that will touch you to the heart. Therefore, I say, the sinner is not as bad as he appears. Let the occasion arise, give him but the chance, and he will show you the highest proof of love by giving his life for his brother. Therefore also, I say, it is probable that the majority, even of sinners, are saved, for "Charity," saith the Lord, " covereth a multitude of sins."
If this becomes probable from a study of the sinner, it becomes almost certain from a study of the Saviour. " I come," He says, " not to save the just, but sinners. I come that they may have life and have it more abundantly. I desire not the death of the sinner, but that he be converted and live." Will Christ's mission be a failure? Will the ruling passion of the Sacred Heart be thwarted? Will Christ's mystical body, which they are, be mostly lost? No; every phase of the sweet Saviour's character answers, No! " His burden is light, and His yoke is sweet " — a loving, a forgiving father — not an exacting tyrant. " For one cup of water," He says, " given in My name, I will give you eternal life." Oh, how gentle and loving He was when dealing with sinners! How He ate and drank and mingled with all that He might save all! You remember when He was refused admission to the Samaritan town, and James and John would have called down fire from heaven to consume it, how gently Christ rebukes them. " You know not," He says, " of what spirit you are, for the Son of man came not to destroy souls but to
