advice and intercourse with your parish priest. Neither
your first or any subsequent communions are to be made unless you are
satisfied as to your own fitness to come to it. If you are in doubt you
are advised to go to God's minister, lay before him those sins that make
you afraid or doubtful of coming, and seek his advice. This is not
pleasant, but it is useful. Many people speak against it, but it is
Christ's appointed way. If you feel that this will help you, go as often
as you need, and do not be stopped by any foolish remarks of people who
do not understand it, or by any thought of its being a weak and unmanly
thing to do. It requires courage, perseverance, and a true estimate of
oneself to do it, and these are not generally considered unmanly
qualities. Some of the best men, some of the bravest soldiers, have not
been ashamed of using this means of grace. Knights of old were
accustomed to confess before they went into battle. Read the life of
Henry V. of England. He was no milksop, or, as people would say now-a-
days, priest-ridden king, but he did not look upon it as an unmanly
thing. You are free to choose, or free to refuse it; only pray to be
guided aright by God's Holy Spirit to do that which shall be most to His
glory and your soul's good.

_Almsgiving_. Whatever money you have of your own some portion--a tenth,
if possible,--should be given to God in some way or other.

_Bringing others to God_. We must not be selfish in our religion--if God
has made known the truth to us we must do our best that others may share
it also. You can do much in a quiet way, not only by example: you can
get a word in where others have not a chance. Many a youngster would
gladly keep from wrong, and go on steadily, if he had only someone to
stand by him. It is not enough to be good, we must do good, and never
laugh at another for his religion. Many years ago a thorough change was
worked in a school by the courage of one little boy. He came fresh from
home, where he had been accustomed to say his prayers. He knelt down in
a school dormitory, as he had been used to do at home, by his bedside.
There was a sudden silence, the boys were astonished. Then some began to
bully and try and stop him; others stood up for him. But the battle was
won. The better minded boys saw what cowards they had been to give up
what they knew was right for fear of chaff--one by one they gradually
followed his example, and before that