fatuus, and if you follow it, it will surely injure you, and lead you at last to the fire of hell. Therefore be on your guard against dangers to faith. And what are they? On the present occasion I will only mention three.
4. Be on your guard against doubts of the Faith. If such doubts present themselves, do not dwell upon them, but pray in all simplicity, and with humility of heart: "O my God, I believe this . . . because Thou hast said it, for Thou art the eternal Truth." And should these doubts continue to torment you, mention them in all confidence to your confessor or director, and you will receive good advice and instruction; you will be told how to get out of your difficulty. But if fresh doubts regarding matters of faith are suggested to you by unbelievers, the solution of which you fail to see, answer simply: "I am not able to explain this matter to your satisfaction, but of one thing I am quite certain: God can not err, nor can the Church which He guides. Consult a priest; he will give you the necessary explanation of the point in question."
5. In the second place, avoid the society of those who speak against the Faith and sneer at religion, the sacraments, and ceremonies. If they are persons in your own class, acquaintances to whom you can speak plainly, break the conversation off abruptly and say: "That will do, leave off talking this rubbish, and speak of something more sensible "; otherwise contrive to turn the conversation to some other topic, after defending your faith in a quiet but resolute manner, as well as you can. He who possesses a ready tongue can, in circumstances such as these, completely baffle the scoffer and make
