stand," writes St. Augustine, " that if he be possessed of the simple spirit " of truth and sincerity, "he must be like a dove, must be at peace with his brethren, which is represented by the affectionate endearments of doves, and lastly that he must hurt no one, as doves hurt no living creature."
III. The divine effects of baptism are expressed in the baptism of Christ. Baptism opens the gates of heaven, it reveals the divine mysteries to us, it remits all sin, it gives us the grace of the Holy Ghost, and it renders us the adopted children of God. Frequently renew your baptismal engagements; give God thanks for the benefits received by means of this sacrament; and since you are now an adopted son of God, raise your thoughts and affections to your heavenly habitation, whose gates are now opened for you, and say with the Psalmist, "Who will give me wings like a dove, and I will fly and be at rest." (Ps. liv. 7.)
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST.
Christ the Director of Your Actions.
"Conduct me, O Lord; direct me in Thy sight." (Ps. v. 9.)
I. We read in the Gospel of this present Sunday that the disciples, who were fishing, told Christ, "Master, we have labored all the night, and have taken nothing." (Luke v. 5.) We all live in moral darkness and ignorance, without knowing what we do, and this will prove hurtful to us unless we be directed by Divine light. We may justly say with King Josaphat, "But as we know not what to do, we can only turn our eyes to Thee." (2 Par. xx. 12.) Neither does God, on the other hand, re-
