us on earth to fulfil our time of trial, without our constantly telling Him of our discomfort; we must appear not to notice it." It was the same delicate feeling that made her reprove a weeping novice, who said to her: "Henceforward my tears will be for God alone. I shall confide my worries to One who will understand and console me." To which St. Therese replied: "Tears for God! that must not be. Far less to Him than to creatures ought you to show a mournful face…. Our Divine Master comes to us in search of rest—to forget the unceasing complaints of His friends in the world, who, instead of appreciating the value of the cross, receive it far more often with groans and tears. Would you be as the mediocre souls? Frankly, this is not disinterested love…. It is for us to console our Lord, and not for Him to console us. His Heart is so tender that if you cry, He will dry your tears; but thereafter He will go away sad, since you did not suffer Him to repose tranquilly within you. Our Lord loves the glad of heart, the children that greet Him with a smile. When will you learn to hide your troubles from Him, or to tell Him gaily that you are happy to suffer for Him?" When will I…?
(2) Her Esteem for Suffering.—St Therese was not content to know that suffering comes from God's love, she also wanted to know what He desired to effect by it that she might the more effectively enter into His loving designs. She found three things:
(a) The proof of her love of God. She recognized in suffering the highest proof of pure and genuine love, for "there can be no love without suffering.' Hence:
"Under the pressure of pain
I prove my love by test divine!"
In proportion to our willingness to suffer for any one is the measure of our love for him. This, then, is the first thing that God desires to effect in sending us suffering—"that our souls may turn to Him alone"; "His thorns, as they wound us, spread abroad the perfume of our love."
(b) Oneness with God. But God sends us suffering also because "He longs to give us a magnificent reward." What is this reward? "He knows
