156 MEMOIRS OF 



pagan antiquity, open tlie Gospel, and there 

 seek an answer to tlie question proposed. We 

 read in the Holy Writings, * Love God above 

 all things, and your neighbour as yourselves : 

 the law and the prophets are contained in these 

 two precepts.' Thus, he who has followed these 

 precepts is virtuous ; he will have accomplished 

 the entire law. Now, what is it to love God? 

 How can we prove that we love him ? It is by 

 conforming to his will, by doing that which he 

 orders ; and the first thing which he commands 

 us to do, after loving him, is to love our neigh- 

 bour as ourselves ; and our neighbours are all 

 men, without distinction or exception, as the 

 Gospel also teaches us in the parable of the Sa- 

 maritan. This command, given us by God, has 

 been rendered easy and pleasing in execution by 

 himself having implanted in our souls, at our 

 birth, a love for our neighbours, a natural dispo- 

 sition to love our fellow-creatures, to rejoice in 

 their joy, and weep for their sorrows. This sym- 

 pathy, this soothing feeling, which religion calls 

 charity, is to be found in all pure and unper- 

 verted hearts, though it is not equally developed, 

 equally energetic in all. We feel that which w^e 

 owe to each other, not only justice, but succour 

 to the extent of our ability. Do not to others 



