One angel more in heaven

Preface

Heaven seems to have blessed this little book, begun, at first, as an expression of consolation and of love. Since, thought we, the happy child who suggested it can no longer take an active part in the Society of the Holy Childhood, let his memory be a link in the chain of good works which his parents have begun in his name.

To console some grief-stricken mother, to lead some little one to heaven — such is the twofold mission of this book, and if . this be attained, the short sojourn on earth of our little angel will not have been fruitless. He will have scattered good on his pathway, and of him may be said, in the words of the Wise Man : " Being made perfect in a short space, he fulfilled a long time."*

* Wisdom iv. 13.

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Sad as is the loss of a beloved child, it is not the only trial of this life, which, as Job tells us, is full of misery. Here, then, we offer the outpouring of a father's heart, deeply afflicted, but resigned and greatly consoled by faith and Christian hope. Alas ! One Angel More in Heaven is no longer an appropriate title, for since this book first appeared that heart has received other wounds, for other dearly loved children have gone to join the angel band. Francis, Clara, Margaret, invited by your elder brother to the delights of heaven, you have gone to share his happiness, the reward of his innocence ! Your parents mourn you, but are resigned. We have again heard the heavenly voice which answers 1

the cries of earth, and looking up with the!

i eyes of faith and hope, we see four angels

more in heaven destined to praise and bless

and glorify God for all eternity.

Blessed be the Divine Consoler who, if He

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has not given to us as He did to Job " twice as much as before,"* has at least left us some of our loved ones. If, perchance, some poor mother, rinding a little consolation in these pages, casts a thought of gratitude on the author, he would beg her prayers for the two clear children spared to be the consolation and the joy of their parents. May she ask Heaven to preserve them, but, above all, may she beg for them the grace to keep the precious innocence of their baptism, that priceless flower, so tender and so easily contaminated by the breath of the world.

* Job xlii. 10.

Contents

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