This page needs to be proofread.

but true charity casteth out fear. How often do you approach the sacraments? Once a year. How often do you eat? Three or four times a day. But why not refresh your starving soul more frequently? Afraid lest men consider you effeminate or a hypocrite. Ah! but true charity casteth out fear. How many times did you refuse invitations to the theatre or the tavern; how often did you visit the widows and orphans to comfort them in their affliction? Seldom if ever. Why? For fear of being called mean or unmanly. Ah! but true charity casteth out fear. Again, charity is patient, beareth all things, endureth all things. Perhaps your health is poor, your home unhappy, your business not prosperous, are you resigned? Alas! how rare is patience! how rare is true charity! We bear the world's crosses uncomplainingly; we even voluntarily fast and pray and give alms, but beneath the tribulations sent us by God, we grumble and groan. Yet, " whom the Lord loveth, He chastiseth," but we cannot, will not see it. Rejecting the doctor of our souls, we undertake to prescribe for ourselves, and in the end we find that he who is his own physician hath a fool for his patient. Brethren, may the Spirit of love come to you to-day; may He strengthen you to bear humbly and patiently the inevitable but saving trials of your earthly career, and may He impart to you the courage to do ever, and everywhere, your whole duty to yourself, your neighbor, and your God.