covered over by God's grace, its contents will be spoiled and our charity all in vain. No matter how precious or how common the contents, no matter how plain or how beautiful the vessel, unless it be covered securely it is sure to be defiled. Securely, did I say, aye and constantly, for so insistent and all-pervading is the death around us that there is need on our part of a holy watchfulness. Our eyes, our ears, our tongue, all our external and internal senses are so many openings to the heart and soul, and must be closely and continually guarded if we 'hope to keep ourselves unspotted from this world. Not that our hearts should be as vessels void and empty, but there should be a steadfast shutting in of virtue and of truth and as resolute a shutting out of error and of sin. " Thy Kingdom Come " should be our so prevailing sentiment that no room would be left for any less noble thought. Such is the cloth which must cover our hearts and be bound upon them, sealed, as it were, with the seal of perseverance— an unremittingly watchful cooperation with the grace of God. " And what I say to you," says Christ, " I say to all; watch."
Watch and pray. Brethren, if even the Apostles had to be reminded of the necessity of prayer in repelling temptation, how much more we, poor laggard followers of Christ! And reminded we are on almost every Gospel page. Our Lord's example, His nightlong vigils on the mountain side, is supplemented by His teaching: " Pray ye always and faint not." Note the word " always." It is frequently explained away
