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BODI FIANA

J. MASTERS & CO., 78, NEW BOND STREET.

WANTAGE:

H. N. NICHOLS, MARKET PLACE.

138. i. 445.

PREFACE.

The following series of Meditations is the work of one who has given herself and her life specially to God's service, as a member of one of those religious communities which, by His Grace, are springing up among us. They are intended, in the first instance, for those among whom her daily life of labour is spent, viz.-young ladies educating in a school under the charge of Sisters; but it will readily be perceived that they are capable of a much wider use. The writer, gathering her materials from all sources, bringing out of her treasure things new and old,' and loyally following the teaching of the Church and the course of the Church's year, has endeavoured to produce a succession of thoughts couched in plain and simple language, which may lead souls-and more particularly the young-to realize, and to make, as it were, part of themselves the great truths of our holy religion.

Surely never was a time when such teaching was more needed. Is it not the lack of this, to which is to be attributed the strange and saddening growth and spread of unbelief in all classes of society? Young people for the most part hear and see some outward aspects of religion; are brought up decently, respectably, even what

is called religiously. Yet how continually it comes to pass that all the while nothing has penetrated their hearts, or even their intellect, and they emerge from their period of education utterly unable to hold their own against the multiform scepticism of the age. Ignorant, unenlightened, without any definite faith, or fear, or love, they yield without a struggle to the evil atmosphere which surrounds them. Too often this may be said even of those who have been brought up, as it would seem, under Church influences; those who educate being contented with thinking that, given services and general teaching, all will go well.

It is greatly hoped that the accompanying little volume will help to counteract this danger. The author has endeavoured to bring the Life of our Lord objectively and systematically before the minds and hearts of those who use it, and one cannot but believe that whenever (if the words may be used reverently,) Christ is thus once 'formed within' the soul, the attacks of the world, the flesh, and the devil, will give way before Him.

That such may be the case is the earnest prayer of the writer of these few prefatory words.

W. J. B.

RULES.

I. Read over the Point provided for the next day's Meditation over night.

II. When morning comes, and your usual Prayers have been said—make some slight change of posture, cover your eyes and strive, for a few seconds to realize vividly the Presence of God— e.g., think of the children standing close to our Blessed Lord, and taken up one by one in His Arms that He might bless them, and remember that He is even closer to you at this minute than He was to those children-or try to picture yourself amongst the multitudes who sat at His Feet and listened to His Blessed Words in the Sermon on the Mount.

III. Next ask reverently for the help of God the Holy Spirit, that you may learn the very lesson which He has stored up for you in that portion of His Word which is chosen for your Meditation, and say the Veni Creator' (which you will find on page vii of this book).

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IV. Now read over slowly and carefully, first the verses in the Bible, and then the short Meditation given upon them; try to fill in any details, to follow out the thoughts suggested, and to bring them to bear upon the simplest, most

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