Chapter LXXXIII: How to Behave in Sickness.—conclusion

BEFORE closing this book I wish to say a few words on how a good girl should look upon sickness, and behave herself in it.

Sickness, like everything else which God allows to befall us, is intended for our good. If we take it in the right spirit it will prove an immense advantage to us.

Sickness affords us an opportunity to practise many virtues in a high degree, particularly those most excellent ones of humility and patience. When stretched upon the bed of sickness, we feel how helpless we are of ourselves, and how completely we depend on God for health and strength and every breath we draw. We cry to him and He hears us, and helps us. Sickness is a time of grace.

What an opportunity it gives us for patience, amid so many pains and privations and wants.

If we did but know, it is just the time to be like our Lord Jesus Christ as He was hanging, so racked with torment and so afflicted, upon His cross for our redemption.

Particularly is this the case with a poor girl who lives out, when she is taken down by sickness. Among strangers, with no kind mother at hand to take tender care of her, how forsaken she must feel herself at such a time!

She is working for hire, and when she gets sick her employers very likely think far more of their own loss of her services than of her condition. She lacks that attention and kindness that they would pay one of their own family. She cannot expect those delicacies and that constant nursing that near relatives would be likely to give her.

Indeed, in most cases, she will be obliged to be removed elsewhere, and to provide for herself as best she can, for it cannot be expected, or required, that her employers take care of her.

They have agreed to pay her wages in return for service, and, of course, when she cannot afford that service she becomes a burden upon them, and in justice has no more claim to be taken care of than any other person. Besides, in many cases it is quite out of the power of her employers to take so great a burden upon themselves.

On all these accounts sickness is, to the girl who lives out, a great trial and a great opportunity to practise heroic virtue.

Let her then, in such case, place all her hope and all her confidence in God, in our Lord Jesus Christ. Let her accept all as coming from His hands, for it is the truth His blessed hands have held out this cup for her to drink, as a most salutary and good medicine for her soul.

Let her not be satisfied with accepting it, but keep thanking Him for it, and saying to herself that it is the very best thing for her, and that she would not have it otherwise than as God wills.

Now is the time for patience, to keep down all murmuring and dissatisfaction. No doubt there will be temptation to murmur, but put it all aside, for God is as good now as ever, and it is wrong now as ever to complain of what you cannot help and He has allowed.

If the family where you are cannot help you, go willingly elsewhere. Do not indulge in useless hard feeling. Consider all right, and look only at the Divine will.

If they care for you, be very grateful and thankful for what you had no right to expect. Do not, in any case, be fretful and impatient after any want of attention, or if anything you need or desire is wanting. Remember how our Lord needed a little water to moisten His tongue as He was hanging upon the cross.

Some girls, when they get sick, particularly if they are not used to it, show a deal of impatience; they give a great deal of unnecessary trouble, and show an unthankful spirit in regard to what is done for them. This is certainly quite the wrong spirit, and one that renders such a girl very unhappy herself and displeasing to God.

But, on the contrary, I must say the examples of holy patience and peace under affliction, on the part of others, is oftentimes most beautiful; all who witness it are charmed and edified by it. What stores of merit such a girl lays up for herself and for others!

She really preaches the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and does much to save souls; for her example is more effectual than perhaps the words of the most eloquent preacher can be.

You cannot do much in sickness in the way of set prayers and devotions, but you can do a great deal in the way of patience and resignation. You can do a great deal in the way of short, fervent ejaculations, such as, “Thy holy will be done”; “Grant me patience”; “Praise God for His goodness”; or many others of the same sort.

You can offer yourself to God entirely, giving up your life, if it be God’s will, cheerfully into His hands. For the rest, keep as quiet and cheerful as possible, putting away all temptations and troubles of whatever sort they may be, and trusting entirely to God and our Lord Jesus Christ, just as an infant reposes with confidence in the arms of its mother.

So, if it be God’s will, this blessed time of sickness will land you safe on the shore of eternity, to enjoy for ever, and with joy unspeakable, the sight of God, the society of Jesus Christ, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of all holy saints who have “fought the good fight of faith” and received the immortal crown of victory.

And now I must bring my work to a close. I have done my best to teach you those principles of religion and virtue which will insure you a happy and joyful life here, and the rewards of eternity.

It has cost me much labor and reflection, but I have been glad to give it, because I know it will be appreciated by grateful hearts. May God smile upon it! May the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Saints take it under their protection!

And if any good girl shall find herself benefited by reading this book, and the love of God increased in her heart, I beg she will not forget the author in her prayers, but beg of God for me that I may lead a good life here, with a single eye to His glory, and attain everlasting life hereafter.

God bless you all!

The End. — Printed at the Columbus Press, 120-122 W. 60th St., N.y.