his Master in every time of need. He is the guardian of his Lord, who dwells under his roof or hard by in the sanctuary; and to Him he carries the account of all his troubles and cares personal and pastoral. All that befalls him, all his perplexities and perils and wants, he pours out to Him. The priesthood assures him that he is predestinated to be made conformable to the image of the Son, and therefore that all things will work together for his good under the guidance of a divine and loving will.
3. Once more, in friendship there is mutual service: not mercenary, nor stipulated, nor self-seeking; but generous, glad, and grateful. "Ye have not chosen Me; but I have chosen you, and have appointed you, that you should go and should bring forth fruit."[1] He was our Master before we were His servants; and He knew what He would do with us and by us. We are not our own, but already bought with a price. All we are is His. All faculties and powers of nature, all graces and gifts of the Holy Ghost, are His. A priest's whole life, if he be faithful to his priesthood and to himself, is, or may be, and therefore ought to be, a service to his Master. Even the common actions of our daily life are consecrated
- ↑ S. John xv. 16.
