The Love of Jesus - Brother Hermenegild Tosf - Bog

"The Land we love and live in!" Such is the affectionate manner in which many of us speak of that portion of this earth we call "Our own, our native land." And how shall we more perfectly prove that we do love it, than by leaving no means untried to promote within its borders, far and wide, North and South, East and West, the Love of Jesus Christ - the heavenly Fire He came Himself to enkindle on earth, and which He longs so ardently to see burning in every heart; the Light that will dispel the dark clouds of every kind that are dai1y lowering more gloomily over our vast and favored country; the Life that will infuse new strength in to our veins, and save us, as a people, from the premature decay and dissolution which already threaten American society? Other governments count their political existence by hundreds of years. Ours cannot say that one century has passed away since we took our place among the nations of the earth. And how saddening, how ominous of evil, both for Church and State, are the cha.nges we behold going on around us. Levity of mind, love of pleasure, thirst for riches, disregard for all authority, human and divine, are eating like a. cancer into the very heart of even Catholio sooiety. Where shall we find so easily a stay, a defence against the threatening dangers as at the feet of Jesus, in that mystery of mysteries, the most holy Eucharist? that Sacrament of Light and Love and Life which He has Himself instituted for the preservation of society, the salvation of the world! Oh! before it be too late, let us arouse ourselves from our tepidity; strive to repair the negligences of the past; hasten to offer some atonement for the coldness and ingratitude of so many years now gone by forever. And for this purpose we cannot do better than to adopt as our manual "this excellent little book, full of pious thoughts and holy aspirations, with meditative reflections of muoh beauty, exoeedingly well put together," as our "very sweet companion" in our visits to the Blessed Sacrament. Such are a few words from the notices which this new help to our piety has won in England and France. One says it is "an eloquent little book, for it speaks to the soul, and discovers an acquaintance with men's heart, its joys and sorrows, its hopes and fears, which can only be gained by one who has sounded the depths of his own nature by the aid of the Divine Spirit." Another calls it the "outpourings of a heart enamored of the holy mystery of the Eucharist, and we have no doubt that its constant use will greatly tend to substitute a loving and practical belief in the real presence, instead of the cold and abstract faith so common in these days." The only change from the English edition is the addition of the beautiful prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas, "I devoutly adore Thee! O Hidden Deity!" which many will be delighted to offer as their spiritual communion before the visit to the Blessed Virgin. The prayers for the Forty Hours' Devotion have been chiefly taken from a. work approved by that great servant of God, Cardinal Wiseman. They will belp all who use them to spend those ever-sacred moments in a manner most pleasing to God; advantageously to our own souls, and most profitable to the Church and our beloved country, whose many common wants and dangers should never be absent from our minds. Watch, hope, and pray. In heaven we will learn how acceptable to the adorable Heart of Jesus Christ, and to the Immaculate Heart of His Virgin Mother such prayers always are, and what blessings they still bring down on all countries, and on the Church of God spread throughout the world.