represent some grave personage as present to the mind. Let any one then who would he ashamed to address a Christian in the language of a heathen, he himself ashamed to appear a worse character than the heathen himself. Accept, he says, of a useful and salutary maxim, which I would wish thee to fix firmly in thy mind. We must choose some good man (one, in fact, like our angel guardian), and keep him always before our eyes; to live as if he were always looking at us, and to do every thing as if he always saw us. A vast number of sins is avoided, by the presence of a witness with those who are going to sin. Let the mind have one whom it holds in awe, by whose authority it may increase the sacredness even of its own secret. Happy the man who is corrected, not by an action only, but even by a thought!
Bear, then, this counsel in mind, and studiously watch, and readily follow, the guidance of thy guardian. Invoke him very frequently during the day, and always in perils and temptations, that he may faithfully watch and protect thee, direct all thy steps, prosper thy actions, remove from thee all dangers and occasions of evil, and bring to nought the treacherous plots of thy enemies.
We read that it was the practice of good men to endeavour to fortify themselves with an angelic safeguard for every undertaking, and to invoke, not only their own angel guardians, but those with whom they were to be engaged, for safety, peace, or the promotion of the glory of God. Hence, too, they earnestly besought the aid of the angels who preside over kingdoms, provinces, cities, and places. Instances of this, not to mention others, are found in St. Francis Xavier, St. Aloysius, and Peter Faber. St. Bonaventure relates the great devotion of St. Francis to St. Michael. Follow their example, and you will find it a secret but effectual instrument of success in your undertakings, and of escape from numerous perils.
LITANY OF THE HOLY ANGELS.
Collected out of Holy Scripture.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
