furnished apartments. He has but coarse rags to cover Him, and you look for splendid attire; He, lying upon the hay, is exposed to the cold and to discomfort of every kind, while He is unknown and forgotten by the world; you seek for every convenience and every luxury.

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Fifth Day.

FIRST MEDITATION.

On the flight of Jesus into Egypt.

FIRST POINT.

CONSIDER the circumstances which must have rendered this journey extremely trying to Jesus Christ. The first of these is the place which he was forced to abandon, namely, His native country, where His poor family might have received help and comfort from their relatives and friends; and then the trial is all the greater when we think of the place whither He was going to Egypt, a nation of idolators, who were naturally hostile to the Jews, and whose language was unknown to Mary and Joseph.

The second circumstance which rendered the

For

Redeemer's journey a trying one, was the season of the year when He was forced to undertake it. it was in mid-winter, and the summons came in the dead of the night, and His road lay through a country with which His parents were unacquainted-a rough and dangerous road it was; torn up by the torrents which rushed from the mountain sides; deep precipices threatening the traveller every now and again; robbers and highwaymen infesting it at every step;

and but ill-provided with inns or other accommodation for the wayfarer.

The manner, also, in which this journey was ordered to be undertaken adds to it a third element of discomfort. It did not take place in the daytime, but the summons came in the silence of the night, thus depriving the travellers of that rest which nature requires; and they were commanded to set out at once, no time being given to make preparations for so long and wearisome a journey; no time to bid adieu to their friends, no time to take steps for the safety of the little they possessed in the world; no time to lay in even a sufficient stock of provisions for the road, and without any intimation of the time of their return: "Be there until I shall tell thee" (a). This is, in brief, the only comfort which they received. And, in fact, "He was there until the death of Herod" (b); that is, for seven long years. Put together all the circumstances that contributed to render this journey trying, difficult, and dangerous, and you will find that, in comparison, every labour of yours is but a trifle. O Eternal Father! why should I, a slave and a sinner, repine, when I see how you treat your Son, the Holy of holies.

SECOND POINT.

Consider the manner in which Jesus obeyed in executing so difficult an order.

1. He obeyed promptly; for we read in S. Matthew that Joseph "arose and took the child and his mother

by night, and retired into Egypt" (a). The command was no sooner given than it was obeyed.

2. He obeyed blindly, without examining the command, without murmuring, without disapproving of it, although many weighty reasons would seem to counsel an opposite course of action, and the plan adopted was to all appearances at variance with the dictates of common sense. What weakness, the world would say, that a God should fly before the rage of a man! Surely Omnipotent Wisdom did not lack means to moderate the fury of Herod, and to baffle his wicked designs? And if flight were at all necessary, why was Egypt.selected? Might He not have tarried in safety with the Magi? Why at least is not the term of his exile defined? These are questions which would suggest themselves to the wise ones of this world; but Jesus closes His ears and shuts His eyes to them. In fact He obeys blindly.

3. Nay, more, He obeys joyfully; banishing all sorrow and loneliness, seeking no comfort from His friends, nor needing to be supported and cheered by His parents; but He undertakes His journey with a light and joyful heart, abandoning Himself entirely to the will of His Father. Behold the type of true obedience which a real disciple of Jesus ought always and in all places generously to imitate. Oh, how this example of Jesus Christ ought to make us blush for our own cares, and anxieties, and trouble of mind, and unworthy complaints when we chance to be sent by our superiors to a place that is not entirely pleasing to us. The fact is, we are distrustful of the goodness of God, and so fear to

(a) Matthew ii. 14.

entrust ourselves to the care of His paternal Providence.

THIRD POINT.

Consider the motives which urge us to follow in this respect the example of Jesus Christ; motives, it is true, which have been already several times advanced, but which bear repetition, because their efficacy is very great. The first is this-This command of my superior is the will of God. The superior in issuing the command may, possibly, do so under an error of judgment, or may even be swayed by unworthy motives; but it is, nevertheless, true, that his command is for you the will of God. From Him everything depends. Without His will a leaf cannot be blown from a tree, a bird cannot fall to the earth, or a single hair be plucked from our head. Everything, sin alone excepted, depends immediately from the will of God.

And though He does not wish sin, but merely permits it, nevertheless, He wills the effects that follow from it. It is true that He abhors and punishes the false representations of maliciouslydisposed persons, the too easy credulity, and, mayhap, culpable dislike of your superior, which induced Him to send you to that or the other place; but that you should go there is the will of God. Yes, dearest brother, it, unquestionably, is the will of God.

The second motive is this-That place of residence allotted to you by your superior is, of all others, the most suitable for you. For God, being omniscient, knows infallibly the place that will serve best for the salvation of your soul, for the health of your body, for your own convenience, and your reputa