for love of me were bound with cords and transfixed with nails, clasp me to Thy sacred bosom, that I may never stray away from Thee. Most holy body of my Jesus, which for my love wast scourged, crucified, dead, and buried, and now sittest in glory at the right hand of Thy Divine Father, sanctify, I pray Thee, all my senses, that they may hereafter become instruments of Thy glory: Corpus Christi, salva me. Most precious blood of my Jesus, inebriate me with Thy love, so that I may rather sacrifice my life than ever offend Thee again: Sanguis Christi, inebria me. Most holy water flowing from the side of my Jesus, wash, I pray Thee, my soul from the smallest imperfection, that I may once more regain that beautiful white robe of innocence which I have forfeited by my sins : Aqua lateris Christi, munda me. O my good Jesus, who didst descend from heaven to visit me in the most holy and blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist, listen compassionately to my prayer: O bone Jesu, exaudi me. Hide me in Thy wounds, O Lord, as in a house of refuge, that I may abide there all the days of my life, and never more be separated from Thee; that I may be safe from the assaults of my enemies; that, calling upon Thee in the hour of my death, I may pass without any obstacle from this world of miseries to the kingdom of delights, to serve and praise Thee with all the angels and Saints for ever and ever. Amen.

ON THE EXCELLENCE AND SOLIDITY OF THE DEVOTION
TOWARDS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

F all the names which have any claim to our respect and veneration, there is none so sweet, so lovely, so adorable, so divine, as the name of Jesus. For this name does not call to mind any of those heroes of old whom God sent to reproach the people for their crimes, to rescue them from a temporal slavery, and to guide them to the promised land, but it reminds us of the Son of the living God, the immortal King of Ages, of Him who, being in all things equal to the Father, yet, to deliver us from the slavery of sin, and to fill us with heavenly blessings, emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, and becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross; for which cause God also has exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above all names, that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. "There is no other name," says St. Peter, "given

to men whereby they can be saved but that of Jesus." We are not redeemed with corruptible things, as gold and silver, from the slavery of the princes of darkness, but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, as of a lamb unspotted and undefiled. He gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and cleanse to Himself a people acceptable, a pursuer of good works. He blotted out the handwriting of the decree that stood against us, and has taken the same out of the way, fastening it to the cross. By Him, and through Him, we have been called from darkness to a wonderful light; from the state of children of wrath to that of children of love. He is the beloved Son of God, in whom our heavenly Father is well pleased; the Head of all principalities and powers, the King of Glory, the Image of God, the figure of His substance. In Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead, and in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge of God; to Him all power has been given in heaven and on earth. He is the expected of all nations, the teacher and legislator of all people, the model of all the elect, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is our Mediator and our Advocate before the throne of God, whence He pours down upon us the most pure and saving streams of His grace. He is our greatest benefactor, our most loving parent, our most affectionate Saviour. He is the source, in a word, of all our good; for He that "spared not even His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how has He not also with Him given us all things!"

The enemies of truth, the children of darkness, are continually accusing the Catholic Church of failing in respect for the Saviour of mankind. But alas, for their blindness! these and such charges have no other origin but the ignorance, the prejudices, or sometimes, indeed,

the wilful malice of those who are themselves sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death. Let them study her doctrines, let them examine her teaching, and they will then learn the exalted and sublime sentiments which the Catholic Church inspires into the heart of her children towards her divine Spouse. It is she who teaches them to acknowledge in Christ the eternal Word of God, who clothed Himself with our mortality, and came into this world to promote the glory of His Father and the salvation of men; to cause the name of the true and living God to be praised, adored, and sanctified by all the nations of the earth; to teach men to worship God in spirit and in truth; to destroy every greatness which should exalt itself against the Lord; to break in pieces every profane idol; to enchain every inordinate and rebellious passion, to exterminate sin, and to make righteousness take root, spring up, and flourish in the heart. It is she who teaches them that the "Lamb that was slain is worthy to receive power, and divinity, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and benediction," and that, consequently, the highest possible tribute of love, and praise, and adoration is due to Him.

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The Catholic doctrine concerning the Incarnate Word of God be comprehended under the two following heads: 1st. That He is the Lord of majesty and glory, the essential object of the complacency of His eternal Father, who directs all the works of His infinite power and wisdom to the exaltation of this His most adorable and beloved Son. 2d. That He is the source of all grace and salvation for mankind.

As regards the first point, it is most certain that Jesus Christ occupies the first place in the designs of Providence, 1 Apoc. x. 12.

and that every thing has been created for His honour and glory. On this account, He is called in Scripture, the first-born of every creature; and it is said that the Lord possessed Him in the beginning of His ways. By Him, through Him, and for Him, all things have been made and continue to subsist. It was in consideration of this most desirable fruit,' says St. Francis of Sales, 'that the vine of the great Sovereign of Heaven has been planted; that is to say, that the universe has been created. The succession of generations which have been rolling on during so many ages resemble the blossoms and leaves which were to precede and assist in the production of that admirable fruit which the earth was destined to produce. Its excellence is extolled by the holy Spouse in the Canticle of Canticles, and its delicious qualities excite the admiration of men, and even of God Himself."

That our blessed Saviour is the source of every grace and the author of our salvation, constitutes a fundamental truth of Christianity, which is most clearly exhibited to us in holy Scripture.

'Commencing from eternal glory, which is the fruit of the tree, we descend from one grace to another, as from branch to branch, until we reach the root, which is our redemption through the merits of Jesus Christ. The Almighty grants glory as the result of merit; merit follows charity; charity succeeds penance; penance is the result of obedience and fidelity to our vocation; and our vocation follows the grace of redemption, on which this mysterious ladder rests. That part which stands on earth reposes on the wounded side of our Divine Saviour, who died for our salvation on Mount Calvary; and that which reaches heaven ter

1 St. Francis de Sales, Treatise on the Love of God, book ii. chap. v.