pattern and its perfectness in JESUS CHRIST Himself. So He speaks to us in our Gospel for to-day, "I am the Good Shepherd"-the beautiful Shepherd —ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός —not only δίκαιος or ἀγαθός but καλός. And this beautiful goodness of the chief Pastor must be reflected and reproduced in every pastoral life. It is a high standard which He sets before us --but even if His sheep hear His voice and follow Him, how much more His shepherds? At what a distance and with how little heart do many of us seek to follow the blessed steps of His most holy life! Yet it is in this that the truest elevation of Priestly Life is found; not in high position, not in high attainments, not in the high esteem of admiring congregations, nor in high claims of spiritual power but in upward longings, in heavenward aspirations, and the fervour of holy desire; in deepening love and growing likeness to the beautiful Shepherd, and in "looking for and hasting unto the coming of the Day of GOD.”

The Benedictine Employment of time was to divide it between

Thus, at sunrise, Mattins: then, four hours of labour, followed by two hours of reading, dinner, and private reading till 2.30: then, worship, and more labour until Vespers. The fundamental principle of the Benedictine rule was obedience.

To this were subjoined those of poverty and chastity. Its prologue ran thus :-Ausculta, O fili, præcepta Magistri, et inclina aurem cordis tui: et admonitionem pii Patris libenter excipe, et efficaciter comple; ut ad Eum per obedientiæ laborem redeas, a quo per inobedientiæ desidiam recesseras.

[For a concise account of the " Rule," see Robertson's "History of the Christian Church," book iii., chap. viii., sec. 3.]

Pasce Verbo pasce vitâ: pasce sanctarum orationum fructu. (St. Bernard.)

St. Bernard describes four dangers which beset the soul:

Duritia cordis.

Afflictio spiritus.
Evisceratio mentis.

Evacuatio gratiæ.

And the remedy given is-Vacare Considerationi. Get time for meditation.

In this the great theologian of the twelfth century, and the great scientist of the nineteenth century were agreed, for Charles Darwin also said, "Cultivate meditation."

Supplement.

Common Memorials of Martyrs,
Virgins, and Confessors.

Common of Martyrs.

MORNING.

Antiphon: Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven who have despised the life of this world to gain a reward in the Kingdom, and have washed their robes in the Blood of the Lamb.

V. O GOD, wonderful art Thou in Thy Saints. R. And glorious in Thy Majesty.

THE COLLECT.

Almighty and Everlasting GOD, grant unto us so to commemorate Thy holy Martyr

that we may have our share in the Communion of Saints; through JESUS CHRIST our LORD, Who, etc. Amen.

EVENING.

Antiphon: The souls of the Saints who followed the footsteps of CHRIST rejoice in Heaven, and forasmuch as for love of Him they shed their blood, they shall reign with Him for ever.

V. Be glad, O ye Righteous, and rejoice in the LORD.

R. And be joyful, all ye that are true of heart. The Collect as above.

Common of a Virgin and Martyr.

MORNING.

Antiphon: When the Bridegroom came, they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage.

V. The Virgins that be her fellows.
R. Shall bear her company.

THE COLLECT.

Grant, O Almighty GOD, that we who commemorate the martyrdom of Thy blessed Virgin may profit by the communion of Saints, through our LORD JESUS CHRIST, Who, Amen.

etc.

EVENING.

Antiphon: The Kingdom of Heaven is like

unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind; which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

V. Full of grace are thy lips.

R. Because GOD hath blessed thee for ever.

The Collect as above.

Common of a Confessor and Bishop.

MORNING.

Antiphon: Well done, thou good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the Joy of thy LORD.

V. The Righteous shall grow as a lily.

R. He shall flourish for ever before the LORD.

THE COLLECT.

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Blessed LORD, that we who commemorate Thy holy Confessor and Bishop. may increase in faith and love towards Thee, the great Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, Who livest, etc. Amen.