Serenity Of The Virtuous Soul?

Suppose the good man hath a wife and cbildren, and riche, and great power, with all these things he remaineth alike virtuons. Take them away, and again in like sort he will be virtuons, neither overwhelmed by his misfortnnes nor puffed up by prosperity; bnt, as a rock standeth equally unmoved in the raging sea and in caïm, neither broken by the waves nor influenced at all by the calm; thus, too, the strong man stands firm, both in calm and in storm. And as little olildren, when sailing in a ship, are tossed about, while the pilot sits by, laughing and undisturbed, and delighted to see their confusión; thus, too, the soul whioh is truly wise, when all others are in confusión, or else are inopportunely smilmg at any change or circumstance, itself sits unmoved, as it were, at the helm of piety. For teil me, what can disturb the pious soul ? Can death ? This she knows to be the beginning of a better life. Can poverty? Thishelps her on toward virtue. Can disease ? She regards no its presence. Why speak I of disease She regards neither ease nor tribulation for, being beforehand with it, she hat straightened herself. Can dishonor? The whole world hath been crucified to her. Can the loss of children? She fears it not. Foï when she is fully persuaded of the resurrection, what can surprise her ? None of all these things. Doth wealth elévate her ? By no means; she knoweth that money is nothing. Doth glory ? She has been taught that all the glory of man is as the flower of grass. Doth luxury ? She hath heard Paul say, "She that livetli in pleasure is dead while she liveth." Since, then; she is neither infiamed nor cramped ■ what can equal snch health as this ? Chrysostom.