"Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary.”

INTRODUCTION.

We are yet in the stable of Bethlehem, and by the crib of our infant Saviour. We have joined the shepherds in their homages of adoration, and rejoiced with the angels of heaven in their chants of "Glory be to God on high," &c. We have especially associated ourselves with Mary and Joseph, as they pressed to their breast, and bathed with tears of love, the Divine Babe. We have, moreover, assisted at the ceremony of our dear Lord's Circumcision, and adored that most precious Blood, which began then to flow for the salvation of mankind. We proceed this evening to another event connected with the birth of our Blessed Redeemer, highly interesting and instructive to meditate upon. It is the adoration of the Magi, or the wise men, who came from a distance to adore Him, Whom by revelation they had learned to be born King of the Jews. Let us accompany them in spirit on their journey, and let us seek edification in the faith and piety they displayed in their holy expedition.

BODY OF THE SUBJECT.

1. Recite the general expectation at the time of the Messias, referring to the prophecy of Balaam (Num. xxiv. 17), and Gospel (Matt. ii. 1-13), as showing the fulfilment of the prophecy.

Inculcate that the Star is a figure of the lights, or other intimations, by which God invites us to undertake enterprises, or works according to certain designs He has in our regard. It may be a state of life to which He calls us. It may be the performance of some work of charity or religion. It may be the correction of some vice, or the practice of some virtue, &c. We should obey these intimations of God's will according to the example of the Magi. Lament, that many neglect them, like the inhabitants of the places from which the Magi came, who, as well as they, saw the Star, but paid no attention to it.

The example of St. Teresa is a great lesson to us, teaching us with what courage and confidence we should comply with the calls and invitations of God's grace. In the history of her Foundations the heroic soul exclaims-" O great God, how wonderfully dost Thou manifest Thy power, in giving courage to a little creature, who is only an insect before Thee. No, God, the fault is not Thine, if they, whom Thou lovest, will not execute great things. The fault is our indolence, our pusillanimity. We cannot undertake anything without mingling with it a thousand fears, a thousand human considerations. Behold, O Lord, the reason why Thou dost not display the power of Thy arm, nor the greatness of Thy wonders. For who hath greater pleasure than Thou in bestowing Thy favours, when Thou findest one on whom to bestow them? Or, who recompenses the services rendered to him with such

magnificence, as Thou my Lord?" (chap. ii.)-" Medina del Campo."

2. The Journey of the Magi. Observe they must have. had several difficulties and privations on their way, and likely dangers also, owing to the savage and trackless country through which they had to journey. They, however, persevered, encouraging each other under the guidance of the Star.

Inculcate perseverance in following up the good resolutions we have formed, notwithstanding the difficulties we meet in their execution, and condemn the unsteadiness, that makes us give up our good purposes, &c.

3. Recite how as they approached Jerusalem the Star disappeared, and how, notwithstanding, they continued on, and the divine light failing for the moment, they have recourse to human aid entering the city of Jerusalem, and inquiring where they should find the object of their search. Here observe how some go on courageously in God's service as long as they are guided by His special graces, but that when those special graces are for a moment withheld, they fall into discouragement, into tepidity, relaxation, &c.

4. Describe their entrance into Jerusalem, the excitement they occasioned, the consultation of the chief priests and scribes, their answer, and departure of the Magi.

Here reflect on the insensibility of Herod, and the priests and others, who, whilst they give direction to others as to where they will find the promised Messias, do not move a foot themselves to accompany them, although Bethlehem was only four miles' distance away; and lament the inconsistency of so many; who can give good advice to others, and will act differently themselves, who could tell those who, are in the darkness of error, where they will find the true religion, and will not themselves act up to the duties of that religion.

5 Recite how as the Magi leave Jerusalem the Star again appears, and conducts them along, until, at length, it stops over the stable, where our dear Saviour was born.

Here notice how in the guidance of souls the Almighty varies His treatment. One time directing them with a clear and steady light, which lights up for them the path of duty; at another leaving them, as it were, to grope their way, like a traveller on a dark night along a dreary road, but in the end rewarding their fidelity and perseverance by once more vouchsafing to them the special lights and graces which, for a time, he had withdrawn from them.

Here take occasion to inculcate compunction as the exercise suited for such a state, which is sure, in God's good time, to be crowned with joy. (Quote Ps. xxix. 12), " Thou hast turned for me my mourning into joy; thou hast cut my sack-cloth, and hast compassed me with gladness," &c.

6. The entrance of the Magi into the stable, their astonishment at the wretched appearance of everything-however, their faith maintains itself-their reverence-their giftsthe figurative signification of these gifts (See Challoner's Meditation on Epiphany')-the graces they received in return the admonition to take another way home, thus disappointing Herod in the mischievous design he had formed.

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Admire the Providence of God, &c., and observe that we are all in His good keeping, and that we should unceasingly rely on His Providence.

CONCLUSION.

Conclude by observing that the Magi were the first fruits of the vocation of the Gentiles, and that, at this distance of time, we are to look back to them as our forefathers in the Faith; that the recurrence, therefore, of the festival of the Epiphany should be to us an occasion for thanking God for the great grace of true Faith, and for being members of that Church, out of which there is no salvation.

Consult Guillet's "Projets d'Instructions," Inst. cxxi.

N.B.-Adhere as near as possible to the words of the Gospel in the narrative parts, and make the moral reflections brief, but forcible and earnest.

THE

EIGHTEENTH DISCOURSE

ON

APOSTLES'

THE FOURTH ARTICLE.

CREED;

"He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried."

INTRODUCTION.

From the birth of our Divine Lord, the Apostles' Creed takes us immediately to His death. It does so, because it is a mere summary of what we are to believe, containing only the principal mysteries, and other necessary articles of the Christian Faith. It could not, on that account, furnish a regular history of the life of our Divine Lord, which abounds so much in facts and details, that St. John, in terminating his Gospel, and as it were apologising for its deficiencies, states-" There are also many other things, which Fesus did: which if they were written every one, the world itself, I think, would not be able to contain the books that should be written." (John, xxi. 25). It may also be well supposed, that having witnessed a birth and death so eventful, every Christian would feel a natural desire to know the facts, as far as possible, that filled up a life having such a beginning and such an end. We, therefore, follow the order of the Creed, passing on, after having treated to so great a length our dear Redeemer's birth, to speak of His tragical end, which is presented to us in the Fourth Article of the Creed in the words I have quoted. "He suffered under," &c. [Invite attention and invoke a blessing.]