Page:Withgodbookofpra00las.djvu/18

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tices here. It is rarely wise to condemn any form of devotion, unless it is clearly superstitious or dangerous in tendency. There are all sorts of souls, and what may seem superficial or frivolous to one may be deep or serious enough for another. It may sound smart to condemn or disparage certain devotions; but no prudent or reverent person will ever do so, simply because modesty will prevent him from asserting his views or preferences, while due regard for others will make him not only tolerate, but respect what they choose to do."

Doubtless the best prayers are contained in the liturgy of the Church, and our favorite devotions are certainly commendable if they bear the stamp of the Church's approval. To our pious readers we commend the careful perusal of the chapter Devotion and Devotions (page 63). In the present work, "With God," two methods of assisting at Mass are mainly from the Roman Missal ; another method is made up entirely of Indulgenced Prayers. There is, indeed, in this little volume, so large a collection of indulgenced prayers, of prayers approved by the Church, forming not only a separate section, but running like a chain through all the various devotions, that it might well be entitled a "Book of Indulgenced Prayers." We call particular attention to this fact because it distinguishes the present work from others of its class, and constitutes a worthy reason for its appearance.

The careful reader will also observe that all through the book we have laid such stress upon "devotion to the holy souls in purgatory" and intertwined so many prayers and ejaculations for their relief that it is worthy of being called Holy Souls' Book."