GRAINS OF GOLD

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 21, 28 May 1908, Page 3

GRAINS OF GOLD

FRIEND MEMORY. Pride called me and I followed her Where bay and laurel gleamed ; Mine eyes beheld the treasures fair Of which my heart had dreamed. But as I reached to take the gifts Held out by Pride to me, I heard a low voice at my side — The voice of Memory. With chastened heart I turned to go, My dream was at an end ; Pride slipped away, while Memory Walked with me &S my friend. — ' Aye Maria.' The crucifix and the pictures of the saints in the room are— when contemplated with the eyes of faith and in a truly Catholic spirit — a preservative against sin, and an encouragement to do good — a mediation of holy thoughts 1 and hallowed graces, a convolution in the distresses and afflictions of our earthly lives, a wholesome means of education for lovable youth — and a consecration for the entire Christian household. Therefore — ye fathers and ir others of Catholic families — therefore, banish every picture that is objectionable in the slightest degree, wiith inexorable firmness, from yaur homes ! Let. the home's most beautiful decorations be the crucifix and the pictures of Our Dear Lady and St. Joseph, the special patrons of Christian homes, and do not let other sacred pictures or statues be massing. Believe it, that, if you, in this manner, make Clod and His saints welcome inmates" of your homes, and live in their regard and spirit, real blessings shall never be -lacking to you ; and your hoire will become a really Christian Catholic home, a very Naz a reth. Become reconciled in love, become reconciled~in filial tievotiion, biecome reconciled in the light of the duties and affections of home. This is the insistent call of the Day of Atonement ; in the nearer duties and obligations must we bo faithful and true ; this is the ndneL tenth of life ; let us be mindful hereof before it is too kate and the day of reconciliation on this earth is for *ver past. Father, mother, sons, daughters, turn your hearts to one another _in atoning affection, in. reconciling love ; thus adjures" this solemn hour, with this high word this season is vibrant ; may it find lodgment everywhere that 'peace may dwell in every home and the light of forgiveness shed its blessed influence on every hearth. I