scattereth."

Q. What does the venerable Louis de Ponte teach on the subject of matrimony?
A. The venerable Louis de Ponte says: "God is not only the author of matrimony, but He brings to that state, by a special providence, those whom He wishes to be in it. He acts thus both for the good of society and for the happiness of individuals; and, although according to the teaching of the Church, 'it is better and more perfect to observe virginity than to engage in matrimony,' yet Divine Providence is not less admirable in the matter of vocations to the marriage state than in vocations to perpetual continence.

"It is, then, very important to weigh these matters carefully, and to examine well whether a person is called to a more perfect state before deciding to enter the marriage state."

CHAPTER IV.

MIXED MARRIAGES.

Q. Are mixed marriages vocations?
A. Not from God. Mixed marriages are suggested by "the world, the flesh, and the devil," the three great enemies of man's salvation.

Who ever heard of a person entering mixed marriage because his conscience told him that God gave him a vocation to that state, or because he was convinced that God chose for him that state in order that he might sanctify himself therein and avoid damnation?

Read again the story of Tobias, and the seven husbands of Sara, who were strangled to death by the devil because of the unworthiness of their motives. Those who enter mixed marriages evidently "shut out God from themselves and from their mind;" they do not follow a vocation from God; they exclude the will of God. How, then, can they be excepted from the class of persons of whom the Holy Ghost says: "Over them the devil hath power"?

The Church speaks very plainly on this subject, and teaches that mixed marriages are forbidden; and Christ said of the Church: "He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth Me."

Q. Why, then, does the Church grant dispensations in this matter?
A. For the same reason that a prudent mother would prefer to see a wayward daughter do a bad thing than a worse thing. What parent would not prefer to see a child sick than dead? There is some hope for the life of a man hanging over a precipice and clinging even to a handful of grass, but there is no hope when his brains are dashed out on the rocks beneath.

When persons have fully made up their minds to enter mixed marriage, they are so blinded by their passions and preferences that, if the Church should not tolerate their step, many of them would marry out of the Church, and thus commit mortal sin, and in most cases incur excommunication.

The only difference, then, is this: There is at least a possible hope of salvation when mixed marriages are tolerated by the Church; whereas, if these persons should die in their rebellion against the Church, their damnation would be certain.

The Church, like a prudent mother, would prefer the less of these two evils.

Q. Are not conversions often brought about by mixed marriages?
A. Misplaced affections often make candidates for marriage think so, but this is not their chief reason for insisting on such marriages. Temptation, passion, and personal preference have more to do with them than the will of God. Conversions from the faith are more frequent in mixed marriages than conversions to the faith. God's will is not their foundation, and yet, "unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it." God and the Church desire and teach Catholics to take no such risks.

Q. What do the Sacred Scriptures say of mixed marriages?
A. "Bear not the yoke with unbelievers. For what fellowship hath light with darkness, or what part hath the faithful with the unbeliever?" "Neither shalt thou make marriages with them. Thou shalt not give thy daughter to his son, nor take his daughter for thy son; for she will turn away thy son from following Me; and the wrath of the Lord will be kindled, and will quickly destroy thee."

Mixed marriages are the fruitful source of numberless evils: the loss of faith to countless generations, immorality, attachment to the things of earth, and godless lives; and "as a man lives, so shall he die."

Q. What is the best remedy for these evils?
A. To remove their cause. Parents, young folks, and even advanced school-children should be taught the evil of mixed marriages before their minds become warped by company-keeping, passion, and bad example.

Many pastors obtain excellent results by frequently instructing the children concerning mixed marriages, and by teaching them the doctrine of the Church on this subject. [*]

[*] See "Mollie's Mistake, or Mixed Marriages," by Rev. J. W. Book, Cannelton. Ind. We highly recommend it as a very readable and instructive book.

CHAPTER V.

VIRGINITY.

Q. How is it proved that the state of virginity is a vocation?
A. St. Paul mentions virginity as a special state of life, and recommends it in preference to matrimony.

In the heading of the seventh chapter of the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians we find these words: "Virginity is preferable to the married state." In this whole chapter St. Paul speaks strongly in favor of the state of virginity: "I would that all men were even as myself;" that is, as the Fathers of Trent explain, "that all embraced the virtue of continence."

Q. Why is virginity to be preferred to the marriage state?
A. Because virginity is more pleasing to God, and more conducive to salvation.

Q. How do you prove that virginity is more pleasing to God?
A. St. John says: "These are they who are not defiled with women: for they are virgins. These follow the Lamb withersoever He goeth. These were purchased from among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb."

St. Jerome says: "As soon as the Son of God came down upon the earth He created a new family. He chose a virgin Mother, Mary, and a virgin foster-father, Joseph; also a virgin disciple, John, and a virgin apostle of the nations, Paul; so that He who was adored by angels in heaven might also have angels to serve Him on earth."

Q. Do the Fathers of the Church recommend virginity?
A. Yes, in the highest possible terms. St. Augustine says: "The joys of the virgins are not given to the other saints of God."

St. Cyprian says: "Virginity is the queen of all other virtues and the possession of every good."

Speaking of virginity, St. Ephrem says: "If you have loved it, you will be favored by the Lord in all things."

St. Bernardine, of Sienna, teaches that "virginity prepares the soul to see her spouse, Jesus, by faith in this life and by glory in the next."

Q. What is the exact teaching of the Church on the comparative merits of matrimony and virginity?
A. The Church teaches that it is of faith that virginity is preferable to matrimony.

In the 10th canon of the 24th session of the Council of Trent we find this doctrine: "If any one saith that the marriage state is to be preferred before the state of virginity, or celibacy, and that it is not better and more blessed to remain in virginity, or in celibacy, than to be united in matrimony, let him be anathema" (that is, accursed).

CHAPTER VI.

THE THREE EVANGELICAL COUNSELS.

FOR the better understanding of vocations we shall give a brief explanation of the evangelical counsels.

Q. What are the evangelical counsels?
A. They are Gospel advices or recommendations.

Q. Why are they called counsels?
A. Because they are not commanded but counselled by Our Lord, and recommended as means of greater perfection.

Q. Why are they called "evangelical" counsels?
A. Because they are