our heart reprehendeth us not, then we have confidence towards God."[1]
And when his hour is come there will go up from every home, and from every heart in his flock, and from many who are his spiritual children scattered abroad, a multitude of unceasing prayers. None die so happily, or surrounded by such a wide and ardent charity, as a pastor. His life has been a life of charity to penitents, to mourners, to children, to the poor, and they cannot recompense him except by their prayers, and their prayers have great power with God. They will surround his home in his last hours. And the presence of Jesus will surround his dying bed. He has lived in close and constant relation with his Divine Master for many years; and now He is come to call him to his eternal rest and to the exceeding great reward, to the glory and the crown that shall be given to him.
In the state of waiting and expiation daily prayers and Masses will be offered for him. As he has done to others so now his flock will do for him. Then comes the transit to the essential glory, which will be measured by the merit laid up in this life; but the merit is measured by charity. As he has loved God in this life so will he see God with a
- ↑ 1 S. John iii. 21.
