O Jesus! seeking some one as faithful dispenser of Thy blessings, grant much to me, that I may have much to bestow on others. Grant that my hands may dispense Thine alms, that they may be as Thine, when Thou didst wash the feet of Thine Apostles, working for all, helping all; let me never forget that, like Thee, I am placed on this earth to minister, not to be ministered unto.
Grant that my lips may speak comforting words and give forth cheering smiles, that I may be as the well by the roadside, where the weary traveller stoops to drink, as the shade of the tree whose branches laden with fruit [pg 191] are extended over all that pass beneath.
O Jesus! to Whom all Thy children are so dear, and whatever they may be Thou carest for them, and rememberest they are the much-loved children of God! Oh! grant that in all my intercourse with others, I may only see, love, and care for their souls, that soul for whom, O God, Thou hast died, who like myself can call Thee Father, and with whom, near Thee, I hope to dwell, throughout the ages of Eternity.
Transcriber's note
Removed an extraneous comma from this line:
Self-renunciation, means devotion to our duty, going on with it in spite of difficulties, disgust, ennui, want of success.
Standardized spelling in this line by removing hyphen from light-heartedness, to match usage elsewhere in the book:
whose chatter and lightheartedness, even her very attentions to myself,