2. During the journey of life every Christian longs to attain the blessed goal, to be admitted into the heavenly paradise. God strews afflictions like thorns along the path of men, in order that their hearts may not cling to earth, nor take delight in the tinsel and false glitter of this world, but seek for true gold, for eternal blessedness, for the vision of God.
3. If, at any time, the weather becomes dull and rainy while you are traveling through life, and you long more than you ever did before for the everlasting sunshine of heaven, then turn to your diary or journal.
This journal is your conscience. If you find that no sin against purity is inscribed on the pages of your conscience, in that case I congratulate you, and rejoice with your holy angel guardian, for you are "blessed," you are destined to enjoy the vision of God.
4. According to a remark of St. Gregory the Pope, chastity does not suffice of itself to open to us' the gates of heaven. If, for instance, you were merely to keep the sixth and ninth commandments, and in some weighty matter fail to observe some other commandment, you would resemble the foolish virgins, who had no oil in their lamps, and were excluded on this account from the heavenly banquet. For in that case you would be destitute of charity, without which r o one can enter heaven.
But note well why " many are called, but few are chosen." It is because so few observe the chastity required by their state of life.
5. On the other hand, a young man who leads a chaste life generally finds no difficulty in keeping the other commandments. If he can fight to a successful conclusion the difficult battle on behalf of chastity - th' " will he certainly not fail in the easier warfare against the remaining foes of his salvation.
O purity, sweet encouragement for the heart of man! "The clean of heart shall see God!"
6. A legend which was current among the
