mer pleasures, and by tears and lamentations, to turn him from his purpose; but all in vain: the holy youth remained steadfast, and his only answer was: “I wish to save my soul! Do you understand me? Mother, you brought me into the world, not to serve it, but to gain heaven; that is the only thing that concerns me; it is the only thing on which all depends; without which all other things are useless.” (And, my dear brethren, is it not true? For of what use to me is the whole world if I do not save my soul?) “But,” replied his mother and friends, “you can save your soul in the world.” “True,” answered the young man, “but it is a difficult task amidst so many dangers and occasions of sin. I can save my soul, there is no doubt of it; but if God calls me to another state and I do not obey His call, there will be little chance of gaining eternal happiness. Good-bye, O world! I wish to save my soul and place it in security.” And so he did. He at once put off his costly robes for a coarse garment, and went into a hermit’s cell amongst other solitaries, where he spent many years serving God and practising severe penances. But how weak we poor mortals are in our good resolutions! His mother died meanwhile, and the young man hearing of her death, became home-sick; he began to think of the rich inheritance that was now to be divided amongst so many friends, and which he might have all to himself; the dry, coarse bread reminded him of the well-appointed table at home; the hard couch formed a strong contrast to the soft down-bed in which he used to sleep. Full of these thoughts he prayed, but without devotion; he sang psalms, but without attention or understanding; his eyes were constantly directed to the door of his cell, and he kept thinking of the best way of leaving off the habit and stealing out so as not to attract notice, and returning home. The good God, mindful of his former horoic resolution and the piety in which he had spent his life, would not abandon him. During the night he dreamt that he was summoned before the judgment-seat of God. There he saw a swarm of demons standing round him, his guardian angel leaving him, and his mother crying out to him in scornful tones: “Now, my son, what of the words you were so fond of saying: I wish to save my soul? Eh, is that the way you have acted up to them? Is this the heaven you have gained?” This reproof, although the mere effect of a dream, filled the man with fear and anguish, so that he awoke covered with perspiration, and more dead than alive. His first thoughts
