ersations that refresh, rejoice, and cheer; walks that expand the
mind, as well as strengthen the body.

XIII.

THE POWER OF AN ACT OF LOVE TOWARDS GOD

Have you ever reflected upon this?

Let us consider the exact words that describe it.

"_I love Thee with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my strength,
because Thou art so good, so infinitely good!_"

Try and repeat these words slowly, so that each may penetrate deep into
your heart.

Do you not feel moved, as if your whole being in these words went forth to
GOD, offering to Him life itself?

Do you not feel, in making this Act of Love, you give far more than if you
gave your wealth, influence, or time; nay, rather does not this very act
seem to bring you riches, strength, opportunities, all that you possess?

Picture to yourself, standing before you, a child--a child perhaps who may
have injured you deeply, and yet whose sincerity at this moment you cannot
doubt, who is actuated neither by fear nor self-seeking, but simply by a
penitent heart, and who comes to say to you words of love, such as those
above, do you feel no emotion, no feeling of pity?

I defy you to be without some emotion, not to feel your arms extending,
perhaps in spite of you, to embrace this poor child, and not to answer,
"_I also love thee_."

I have yet another test to put to you, poor, desolate, guilty, hopeless as
you are, seeing only within and around you, _fears_, _terror_, and--ay, let
me say it--_damnation_.

I defy you to kneel and say these words (laying a greater stress on them
because of the repugnance you feel): "_My God! I love Thee with all my
heart, with all my strength, with all my soul, above everything, because
Thou art so good, so infinitely good!_" and then not to feel that JESUS is
moved with compassion, and not to hear His Voice, saying to you, "My
child, I love thee also!"

O JESUS, how can we find words in which to express the tenderness awakened
in Thine Heart, by a word of love from one of Thy little ones! That Heart,
so tender, gentle, sensitive, and loving!

A sentence of Faber's may sound unnatural to us, so little spiritually
minded: he says, "GOD sometimes draws us to Him, and fills us with love
for Him, not that He may love us, _that_ He always does, but in order to
make us _feel_ how He loves us!"

An Act of Love demands but a few moments. The whole of the day, even in
the midst of labor, we can multiply it infinitely, and what wonders ar