"In mental prayer meditation (the exercise of the intellect) is only a means to the end, which is the elevation of the soul to God — conversation with God. When thinking and reflecting the soul speaks to itself, reasons with itself; in prayer that follows it speaks to God." It is plain that mental prayer or meditation is something more than mere spiritual reading.
But we can easily turn our spiritual reading into a meditation, as, for instance, when we read only a few lines at a time from "The Following of Christ"; then meditate, reflect, consider our own conduct in connection with the subject treated, make devout acts and pious resolutions, and finally pray to God for His grace that we may conquer our wicked inclinations, practise some particular virtue, and lead a holy life. After this we can read a few more lines; then meditate again.
Bishop Challoner in his translation of The Following of Christ" or "The Imitation of Christ," as this golden book is sometimes called, has added some excellent practical reflections at the end of each chapter.
"Meditation," as Madame Cecilia says in her admirable work, At the Feet of Jesus," "consists in occupying ourselves mentally and prayerfully with some mystery of the Faith. We call to mind the chief facts, ponder over them, and then stir up our will to regulate our conduct in consequence. Hence meditation is an exercise of the faculties of our soul — memory, understanding, and will."
"Meditation, as a part of oriental prayer," says St. Francis of Sales, "is an attentive thought voluntarily repeated or entertained in the mind to excite the will to holy and salutary affections and resolutions." It differs from mere study in its object. We study to im-
