so till the end of it, so I, at least in the last moment of my life, might be found free from sin! Then, indeed, my happiness would be ensured for all eternity. Mark this, my dear brethren; the happiness of the Blessed Virgin consisted in the first moment of her life; our eternal happiness depends on the last moment of our lives, namely, ou whether we shall then be found free from sin. Now, this depends on how we live, and on what we do to prepare for that moment. Ah, should we not use all possible diligence to lead pious and holy lives, that we may find eternal happiness in our last moment? Such is the end and aim of this meditation; its subject is as follows:
Plan of Discourse.
Our eternal happiness or misery depends on the last moment of our lives, and on that moment alone, because we can die but once; therefore we must do all we can to prepare, so as to be found pure in that moment.
O ever immaculate Virgin! obtain for us from thy Son the grace to do this! Help us herein by your intercession, O holy angels!
The only child of a rich family is taken great care of.
A prudent man will certainly watch with greatest care over a thing on which all his comfort and happiness depends, that it may not be lost or destroyed. The only son of a rich family is seldom away from under his mother’s eye. If he sleeps, it is in his mother’s room, or in her lap; if he eats or drinks, it is by his mother’s side, or in her arms; he passes almost his whole childhood in his mother’s presence. Why? Because he is her darling son, and her only son; for she has no other. If the morning air is somewhat sharp, oh, quick! shut the window, and do not on any account let the child go out, lest he should catch cold! If the fruit is not good, or ripe, or unhealthy for any other reason, for God’s sake do not allow the child to get hold of an apple or a nut! He might get sick from eating it. Servants, maids, and every one in the house must be always on the watch to prevent him from running here and there, lest he should fall and hurt himself, or go up or down the stairs without there being some one at hand, or lest he should go too near an open window, or run the risk of burning himself at the fire, or cutting himself with a knife. Wo to the maid who is so unlucky as to let him fall through accident! Wo to the servant who does anything to annoy him! The