of reproach; we fools esteemed their life madness and their end without honor; behold how they are numbered among the children of God and their lot is among the saints." (Wis. v. 3.) Then will be exacted that strict account of every thought, word and deed of our whole lives. Those crimes which sinners are ashamed of exposing to a confessor will then 'be known to the whole world. Do penance now,' or you will then be covered with confusion.
III. Consider the final sentence of the Judge. He will turn to the elect, and with eyes beaming with love He will say, " Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (Matt. xxv. 34.) Then addressing the wicked, " Depart," He will say, " depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, which was prepared for the devil and his angels." Ponder the greatness of the reward, and then the severity of the punishment. Make your choice between them; it is now in your power, but soon it will not be so. Wherefore, while time exists, " whatever thy hand is able to do, do it earnestly, neither worth, nor reason, nor wisdom, nor knowledge shall be in hell, whither thou art hastening." (Eccles. ix, 10.)
Hell. I.
I. Hell is the prison house of the damned, replete with every kind of misery and void of all good. Conceive the most severe torments that imagination can fancy, and they will be nothing in comparison with the torments of hell. That place, says St. John, is "a pool of fire, burning with brimstone." (Apoc. xxix. 20.) It will be, 1. A place of hideous darkness, more obscure than Egyptian darkness. 2. Excessively crowded in conse-
