GRAINS OF GOLD. THE LOST OPPORTUNITY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7, 20 February 1908, Page 3

GRAINS OF GOLD.

THE LOST OPPORTUNITY.

Near to the rich man's door from day to day Poor Lazarus in his rags and ulcers lay, There placed by God, to stir that bloated soul To faith and charity and self-control. In vain); neglected and despised he lay, The rich man's nuisance in the public way. Death changes all. The rich man beggar turned In vain asks pity from the saint he spurned. In vain ; for now far off their lots are cast, A gulf divides them never to be passed. The grace is lost, the prayer is made too late, Which made in time, nad changed the wretch's fate.

—Father Bridgett, C.SS.R.

In attending to ordinary business and daily needs we should not allow ourselves to be transported Iby eagerness and anxiety, but lake reasonable and moderate care and then leave everything completely and entirely to the disposal and guidance of Divine Providence, giving it scope to arrange matters for its own ends and to manifest to us Go"d's will, for we may consider it certain that when God wills that an affair should succeed delay does not spoil it, and the greater part He takes in it the less will be left for us to do. —St. Vincent de Paul. No man ever regrets that he kept aloof from temptation ; to the close of his life he expresses his joy that he was saved from the path of shame by giving a decided negative when the voice of pleasure 'beckoned 'him on. Be decided, and you will be saved. Yield, and you will be lost. Watch with diligence and guard every avenue through which sin may reach you. In no other way will you be sure to overcome the. evil of the world. In no other way will you shield your character from a blemish, and if it ■ takes no worse injury, and ibuild your life on a foundation, which will stand every shock. A mis-step may destroy your life. One sin may ruin your character. Did you ever reflect on the consequences of a single indulgence in vice ? The best of men have fallen through the suggestion of another. How careful should you be, while in the freshness of your days, lest a blight fall on your character and ruin you for ever ! Abstain from the appearance of evil. * If invited to places "of resort, when it is difficult to decide, fake the safe course— stay away and saye your reputation. TMs is a jewel of value, „ too precious to be put in jeopardy.,-