Chapter VII: Letter to Her Missionary "brothers"

[6] _Cf_. Zach., xiii, 6. [7] _Cf_. Luke, xv, 22.

OUR dreams, our desires of perfection are not vain imaginations, since Jesus Himself has given us this commandment, He said: _"Be you, therefore, perfect, as also your Heavenly Father is perfect."_ [8]

II LETTER TO HER SISTER CÉLINE

[8] Matt., v, 48.

TRULY I am far from being a saint. I ought not to rejoice at the aridity of my soul, but attribute it to the scantiness of my fervour and fidelity. I ought to grieve because I fall asleep very often during my prayer and my thanksgiving. Well, I do not grieve! I reflect that little children when they sleep are as pleasing to their parents as when they are awake; that in order to perform operations, doctors put their patients to sleep; in fine, that _the Lord knoweth our frame, He remembereth that we are but dust._ [9]

HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. VIII

[9] Ps., cii, 14.

I HAVE no fear of the last combats, nor of the physical suffering how great soever it may be. The good God has always come to my assistance, He has helped me and led me by the hand from my earliest years . . . I count on Him . . . my sufferings may reach their furthest limits, but I am sure that He will never abandon me.

HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. XII

IT is confidence, and confidence alone, that must lead us to Love . . . Does not fear lead us rather to think of the rigid justice by which sinners are warned? But that is not the justice that Jesus will show to those who love Him.