der, which you will wear as a constant memorial, for you
to imitate the virtues of the immaculate Jesus, who died that you
might live. Pilgrim, the ceremonies in which you are now engaged
are calculated deeply to impress your mind, and I trust will have
a happy and lasting effect upon your character. You were first, as
a trial of your faith and humility, enjoined to perform seven
years of pilgrimage; it represents the great pilgrimage of life,
through which we are all passing; we are all weary pilgrims,
anxiously looking forward to that asylum, where we shall rest from
our labors, and be at rest forever. You were then directed, as a
trial of your courage and constancy, to perform seven years'
warfare; it represents to you the constant warfare with the lying
vanities and deceits of this world, in which it is necessary for
us always to be engaged. You are now performing a penance as a
trial of your humility. Of this our Lord and Saviour has left us a
bright example. For though he was the Eternal Son of God, he
humbled himself to be born of a woman, to endure the pains and
afflictions incident to human nature, and finally to suffer a
cruel and ignominious death upon the cross; it is also a trial of
that faith which will conduct you safely over the dark gulf of
everlasting death, and land your enfranchised spirit in the
peaceful abodes of the blessed. Pilgrim, keep ever in your memory
this awful truth; you know not how soon you may be called upon to
render an account to that Supreme Judge, from whom not even the
most minute action of your life is hidden; for although you now
stand erect in all the strength of manhood and pride of beauty,
in a few short moments you may become a pale and lifeless corpse.
This moment, even while I yet speak, the angel of death may
receive the fatal mandate to strike you from the role of
existence; and the friends who now surround you may be called upon
to perform the last sad duty of laying you in the earth, a banquet
for worms, and this fair body become as the relic you now hold in
your hand. Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of
sorrow; he cometh up and is cut down like a flower; he fleeth as a
shadow and continueth not; in the midst of life we are in death;
of whom may we seek for succor but of Thee, O Lord, who for our
sins are justly displeased. Yet, O God most holy, thou God most
mighty, O holy and