Know That Thou Shalt Be Alive To-morrow?

"Blessed is he that has always the hour of death before his eves and every day disposes himself to die. "Many die suddenly and when they little think of it: 'Because at what hour you know not the Son of Man will come1 (Matt. xxiv. 44). "How happy and prudent is he, who strives to be during ail his life and especially now as he desires to be found at his death. 1 See, The Secret of Sanctity, According to St. Francis of Sales and Father Crasset, S.J. Digitized by Heaven "Trust jaot in thy friends and relations, nor put off the welfare of thy soul to hereafter; for men will sooner forget thee than thou imaginest. "It is better now to provide in time and send some good before thee, than to trust to the help of others after thy death (Matt. vi. 20). "How many die each day and how many thinking to live long have been deceived and unexpectedly snatched away! "Strive now so to live that in the hour of thy death thou mayst rather rejoice than fear. "Learn now to die to the world that then thou mayst begin to live with Christ (Rom. vi. 8). "Chastise thy body now by penance that thou mayst then have an assured confidence (1 Cor. ix. 27). "Make now to thyself friends, by honoring the saints of God, and imitating their actions, that when thou shalt fail in this life they may receive thee into ever- lasting dwellings (Luke xvi. 9). " Keep thyself as a pilgrim, and a stranger upon earth. Refrain yourselves from carnal desires, which war against the soul (1 Peter ii. 11). "Keep thy heart free and raised upward to God, because thou hast not here a lasting abode. "Send thither thy daily prayers, with sighs and tears, that after death thy spirit may be worthy to pass happily to Our Lord. Amen