patiently endure the ills of life, from the higher motive of pleasing God and gaining heaven.
Brethren, are we doing that little? Do we regard heaven as a shadowy myth or a reality; or if a reality, do we act up to it? What are we doing, what are we willing to do for heaven? Not half, I venture to say what we would endure to gain a purse of gold, or a fat office, or a moment of sensuous pleasure. Consider the mighty efforts men put forth to accomplish worldly ends — a loss of energy which, if rightly used, would raise the whole world up to God. On the other hand, consider how little is done for heaven; how rare the ideal Christian. Ah, we sow sparingly, and unless God, out of pure benevolence, gives the increase, we will reap sparingly. Mediocrity is the curse of modern Christianity, for he who is content with mediocrity is the devil's right-hand man. And yet, mediocre as we are, we expect the reward of saints. Think of the saints — the lives they lived and the deaths they died, and ask yourself — how like am I to them, what will become of me, since even they trembled for their destiny? Not that we can all be monks and nuns, but we can, at least, cultivate their spirit. If we cannot be poor in fact, we can be poor in spirit. If we cannot suffer persecution and die martyrs, we can, at least, be meek and humble. If we cannot take the vow of chastity, we can, at least, be clean of heart. And talk as we may, criticise as we may, we must admit that the humble monk and gentle nun have best solved the problem of salvation. Mark them well; their calm faces, and sweet plaintive
