Page:Catholic Magazine And Review, Volume 3 and Volume 4, 1833.djvu/207

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
193

purity, patience, and ardent love for Him, who was the fruit of her womb."

"3. Obey those who have rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch, as being to render an account of your souls. Religiously observe all the rules of the college. Endeavour to make great progress in the Latin language, and the other sciences. Fly sloth and idleness, and pay great attention to all the lessons of your masters. If reprehended or punished, murmur not; but submit with humility, and strive to amend your faults. In the discharge of your various duties, do not act, like slaves under the eyes of their task-masters, but do all through the simple yet perfect motive of pleasing him, who searches the reins and heart. Your fidelity in this will make you pleasing in the sight, both of God and men. Thus will you draw down upon yourselves the continual blessings of heaven, and will go on daily increasing in virtue and knowledge, till you arrive happily at the close of your probation.

"4. Regardless of the distinctions arising from the diversities of nation or country, let charity and perfect concord reign among you; for, in a college, all are brethren one of another. Far from you be all contention and vain-glory, each one making it a rule with himself to behave towards every brother with the humility of an inferior. Never presume to censure the conduct of others: but be indugent rather towards their imperfections, and severe only in the amendment of your own. Avoid even the shadow of evil where there would be danger of scandalizing a brother. Study rather to edify and encourage one another to virtue by good example. Endeavour to live together like brethren, yet without ever forming particular or private attachments; for these, alas! are invariably the source of numberless evils in a college. Hence arise a coolness in the love of God and in charity to your other brethren, dissipation of mind, sloth in the performance of spiritual duties, contempt of superiors, insubordination, murmurs and disobedience, not to say even the entire ruin of virtue and a total corruption of heart. Do not even confine your friendship to a select few, but let all, without distinction, share equally in your friendship and good will.