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by Brother Hermenegild Tosf (Editor), F. X. Lasance (Author)
HOW SHALL I use this little book? A friendly voice replies: "Open it at sundown, in the morning, in the evening, at any leisure moment; read what you please and as much as you please, but read attentively, reflect seriously upon the thoughts suggested, make a firm resolution to aim persistently at perfection, and pray earnestly that you may become a saint: ' Man: "In all thy works remember thy last end, and thou shalt never sin." Ecclesiasticus. Reflect how true it is that the remembrance of the four last things has a marvelous efficacy to restrain the soul from sin, and to disentangle the heart from inordinate affections to the things of this world-to honor, wealth, and pleasure. Hardened sinners have often been converted from their wicked ways to a penitential life by the terror of these thundering truths: death, judgment, hell, eternity. Meditation on these tremendous truths has sent numbers into deserts or religious houses, there to secure their eternal salvation by a saintly life; moreover, the considerations of such sublime truths have generally laid the first foundation even of the most eminent sanctity. Oh, what lessons may we not learn among the silent monuments of the dead, who attracted attention and made some noise heretofore in the world, but now are thought of no more! What salutary exhortations may we not daily receive by attending in spirit the trials at the great bar; by going down while we are alive into the darksome dungeons below, and viewing with dread the torments of the damned; and by ascending up into heaven, and contemplating those blessed mansions of eternal bliss prepared as a reward for the momentary labor and sufferings of the servants of God? Let us daily frequent these schools to learn the science of the saints. Let us resolve to think often on these important subjects which concern so intimately our everlasting welfare; it will prepare us for a holy death; it will teach us to be always in readiness for judgment; it will keep us out of hell; it will bring us to heaven.
