Fifth Letter

I received this day two books and a letter from Sister ——, who is preparing to make her profession, and upon that account desires the prayers of your holy society, and yours in particular. I perceive that she reckons much upon them; pray do not disappoint her. Beg of GOD that she may make her sacrifice in the view of His love alone, and with a firm resolution to be wholly devoted to Him. I will send you one of these books which treat of the presence of GOD; a subject which, in my opinion, contains the whole spiritual life; and it seems to me that whoever duly practices it will soon become spiritual.

Today I received two books and a letter from Sister ——, who is preparing to take her religious vows. She asks for the prayers of your holy society, and yours in particular. I can see that she is counting on them, so please do not disappoint her. Ask GOD to help her make her sacrifice with only his love in mind. Pray that she will firmly resolve to devote herself entirely to him. I will send you one of the books, which are about the presence of GOD. In my opinion, this subject contains the whole spiritual life. It seems to me that anyone who practices it properly will soon become spiritual.

I know that for the right practice of it, the heart must be empty of all other things; because GOD will possess the heart alone; and as He cannot possess it alone without emptying it of all besides, so neither can He act there, and do in it what He pleases, unless it be left vacant to Him.

I know that to practice it rightly, the heart must be empty of everything else, because God will possess the heart alone. Just as he cannot possess it alone without emptying it of everything else, he cannot act there and do what he pleases unless it is left empty for him.

There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with GOD. Those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it; yet I do not advise you to do it from that motive. It is not pleasure which we ought to seek in this exercise; but let us do it from a principle of love, and because GOD would have us.

There is no life in the world sweeter or more delightful than a continual conversation with God. Only those who practice and experience it can understand it. Yet I do not advise you to do it for that reason. We should not seek pleasure in this practice. Instead, let us do it out of love and because God wants us to.

Were I a preacher, I should, above all other things, preach the practice of the presence of GOD; and, were I a director, I should advise all the world to do it, so necessary do I think it, and so easy too.

If I were a preacher, I would preach the practice of the presence of GOD above all else. If I were a spiritual director, I would advise everyone to practice it. I believe it is both necessary and easy.

Ah! knew we but the want we have of the grace and assistance of GOD, we should never lose sight of Him, no, not for a moment. Believe me; make immediately a holy and firm resolution never more wilfully to forget Him, and to spend the rest of your days in His sacred presence, deprived for the love of Him, if He thinks fit, of all consolations.

Ah, if only we knew how much we need God’s grace and help, we would never lose sight of him, not even for a moment. Believe me, make a holy and firm resolution now never again to forget him deliberately. Resolve to spend the rest of your days in his sacred presence. For love of him, be willing to go without all comfort, if he sees fit.

Set heartily about this work, and if you do it as you ought, be assured that you will soon find the effects of it. I will assist you with my prayers, poor as they are. I recommend myself earnestly to yours and those of your holy society being theirs, and more particularly

Give yourself wholeheartedly to this work. If you do it as you should, be assured that you will soon see its effects. I will help you with my prayers, poor as they are. I earnestly ask for your prayers and those of your holy society. I am theirs, and more particularly

Yours, &c.

Yours, etc.