in the commandments, how many noble ideas are contained in these words!

Zachary and Elisabeth had not set their hearts on riches, nor did they seek pleasures and honors, objects of vulgar activity, baits for ordinary mortals. Their souls' aim was higher they practiced justice towards God and man.

God was the center of all their thoughts, the sole object of their ambition and love.

models of conjugal Mutual assistance in

They lived together life as God wills it. marriage presupposes a proper understanding of the respect, confidence, and tenderness due to one another; it means a mutual completion by an exchange of force and grace, intelligence and sentiment, and, above all, of virtues.

Mutual help in marriage means to share the joys and sorrows of life; but it often also means to sacrifice one's own tastes and inclinations and personal opinions, which cannot and will not be done, unless both husband and wife have the same faith and their eyes fixed on Heaven.

Zachary and Elisabeth enjoyed this happiness, but lacked another, that of offspring. Their days passed in sadness. The Jewish

people did not know the selfish practice which, in our days, is the grave of affection and all family virtues, and a menace to the population of earth and Heaven. For a people that had to fill the land of Chanaan and to conquer the enemies of Jehova, to "increase and multiply" was both a religious and a national duty. Numerous children where considered an honor to the family and a celestial and terrestrial blessing. The glorious hope, moreover, of giving Israel its Messiah, increased in women the longing after motherhood. Besides, as under the Old Law woman had no personality, it was but natural that she should seek and find her happiness in the bosom of the family. To Christianity alone does she owe her religious and social individuality.

Zachary and Elisabeth, advanced in age, had given up all hope. What sadness and humiliation for their old days! But the very best are not spared trials - sure signs of God's predilection, which, if borne patiently, are frequently rewarded already on earth.

"And it came to pass, when he executed the priestly functions in the order of his course before God, according to the custom

of his priestly office, it was his lot to offer incense, going into the temple of the Lord; and all the people were praying without at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zachary seeing him was troubled and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him: 'Fear not, Zachary, for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.'

Zachary, doubting this promise, was struck dumb. Meanwhile the promise is realized; and Elisabeth, hiding her motherhood for five months, incessantly praised and thanked God in fervent prayers; "for He has taken away my humiliation in the sight of men."

The example of recollection given by Elisabeth is followed by all Christian mothers who deserve that God may say of their offspring: "Before thou wast born, I already had chosen and predestined thee.” This grace of recollection, so full of interior joys, is the fruit of ardent prayers, careful avoidance of all evil, and of the continuous practice of good.

You are right, Elisabeth, enjoy your happi

ness in solitude and silence, give vent to it in thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is the rich source of many other favors. So far you enjoy but Heaven's first gift, the fruit of your prayers, another is in store for you as the reward of your faith. Zachary saw the angel at the right of the altar, but would not believe in the promised happiness; you, a firm believer, shall be honored by a higher presence.

"And Mary rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste into the city of Juda." Since her marriage to Joseph, Mary lived in Nazareth, a small village in the fertile district of Galilee, crowned by the shady mountains of Libanon, whence the undulating valleys start that unite in the plain of Esdrelon. This plain, laid out in orchards and fields, forms a vast basin at one side of Nazareth, whilst on the other side it is protected by a row of hills, studded with poplar and fig trees and covered with rosemallows.

This attractive and peaceful village Mary resolved to leave for a while, and pay a visit to her cousin Elisabeth in the hill country, east of the Dead Sea and north of the Arabian desert, a distance of about seventy miles,

The tender Virgin is neither dismayed by the hardships of such a trip, nor does she think for a moment that she, as the chosen Mother of God, should rather be visited and congratulated by Elisabeth. Her intelligent goodness makes her feel how it behooves the most exalted to go down to those who move on a lower level, and gives her the conviction that to make another happy is worth a little fatigue. Moreover, family connections ought to be kept up, and it is part of our religious duty to help our relatives. This cheerful visit of the Blessed Virgin appeared so beautiful to St. Francis of Sales that he gave the name of the Visitation to the congregation of women he founded.

The trip was long and wearisome, but the young traveler has stood it. Behold her enter the house of Elisabeth. The cousins know each other from former visits. They embrace one another, and there, in the presence of the Word Incarnate, fallen humanity, in the person of Elisabeth, feels a thrill of joy and entones that canticle of hope and redemption: "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb." At these words of Elisabeth, Mary, too, realizes her