ancient heathen, relates the following circumstance concerning Hermione,the Persian princess. She used to wear a magnificent opal as an ornament for her hair. This precious stone was of infinite value, yet so exceedingly delicate and sensitive that when once but a single drop of water happened to fall upon it, it turned to dust immediately, the wearer sharing the same fate.
Now, dear reader, understand that the celestial blossom of purity is as fair and precious as this opal was said to be, but also just as delicate and sensitive. "Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God."
Aye, they will be blessed, they will see God In a way, even while they continue to sojourn upon earth! The chaste soul resembles heaven; it is a paradise, a garden of delights for the Spirit of God, a throne of the Redeemer, from which grace and blessings flow forth for the entire period during which this soul is united in beauteous harmony with an equally chaste body.
7. Well, then, does not this pearl of virtues, which leads us to the everlasting vision of God, deserve that we should sacrifice everything, renounce everything, in order to preserve it? Daily, aye, many times a day, and especially in temptation, let us invoke our Queen and cur Mother, Mary, the protectress of purity, that she may help us in the conflict for the preservation of chastity; let us say frequently: "Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee! Help me to be clean of heart, that thus I may attain to the everlasting vision of God!"
"So dear to heaven is saintly chastity
That when a soul is found sincerely so,
A thousand liveried angels lackey her,
Driving far off each thing of sin and guilt,
And in clear dream and solemn vision
Tell her of things that no gross ear can hear
Till oft converse with heavenly habitants
Begins to cast a beam on the outward shape."
