, kindred, friends, tastes, even life itself ... not that we
need fail in love to our kindred and friends, but we must only let the
thought of them abide in the heart as united to the love and thought of
GOD.

3. _Great purity of mind_, carefully excluding from it all useless,
distracting thoughts as to past, present, or future; all preoccupation
over some pet employment; all desire to be known, and thought well of.

4. _Great purity of action_, only undertaking what lies in the path of
duty; controlling natural eagerness and activity; acting soberly, with the
help of the HOLY SPIRIT, the thought that by our deeds we glorify GOD:
pausing for a moment, when passing from one occupation to another, in
order to direct aright the intention; and taking care to be always
occupied in what is useful and beneficial.

5. _Great recollectedness and self-mortification_; avoiding, as much as we
can in keeping with our social position, all dissipation, bustle,
disturbance; never allowing voluntarily, useless desires, looks, words, or
pleasures, but placing them under the rule of reason, decorum,
edification, and love; taking care that our prayers be said slowly and
carefully, articulating each word, and trying to _feel_ the truth of what
we are saying.

6. _Great care and exactitude_ in all the ordinary actions of life, above
all in the exercises of religion; leaving nothing to chance or hazard;
beholding in everything GOD'S overruling Will, and saying to one's self
sometimes, as the hour for such and such duty arrives, "I must hasten, GOD
is calling me."

7. _Much intercourse with God_; speaking to Him with simplicity, loving
Him dearly, always consulting Him, rendering to Him an account of every
action, thanking Him constantly, and above all, drawing near to Him with
joy in the Holy Eucharist. One great help towards such sweet communion
with GOD, will be found in a steady perseverance in the early morning's
meditation.

8. _Much love for our neighbor_, because he is the much-loved child of
GOD, praying for him, comforting, teaching, strengthening, and helping him
in all difficulties.

* * * * *

HINDRANCES TO THE INTERIOR LIFE

1. _Natural activity_, always urging us on, and making us too precipitate
in all our actions.

It shows itself:--

_In our projects_, which it multiplies, heaps up, reforms, and upsets. It
allows of no rest, until what it has undertaken is accomplished.

_In our