Though Madame Guyon was much absorbed in a mystical ecstasy, which she describes as prayer without words or even thoughts, she was no mere visionary.  Her love to God, her intense devotion to her Saviour, led her to earnest endeavours to do good to those around her.  The poor and the sick, young girls exposed to temptation, all who needed temporal or spiritual help, were the special objects of her care and benevolence.  In leading others to Christ she was remarkably successful.  She had indeed exceptional qualifications for this missionary work.  Just over twenty years of age, her youthful beauty and grace, the tender, yearning love which lit up her expressive features, the ready utterance and sweet voice, and the charm of manner which never left her, were no unfitting media to convey the tidings of mercy to many a benighted seeker after rest and peace.

IV.

AFFLICTIONS AND GLOOM.

At this time she found great benefit from the counsel of her friend Genevieve Granger, the prioress of the Benedictine convent, who encouraged her in her determination to avoid all conformity to the world, and to live wholly to God.  She once more made progress in the Divine life, and the trials which now came thickly upon her were the means of blessing her soul with increase of purity and peace.  Hers were no light trials.  Besides the constant annoyance from her implacable mother-in-law and the ill-tempered behaviour of her husband, heavy afflictions befell her.  The terrible small-pox attacked her, and spoilt her beautiful face, though it left her alive.  Her cruel mother-in-law, instead of tenderly nursing her, basely neglected her, debarred her from medical attendance, and imperilled her life.  The loss of her beauty alienated her husband’s affection—­such as it was—­from her, and he became still more open to unfavourable influences.  Burdened as she was with these troubles, yet another was added.  Her younger son, a lovely boy four years of age, was carried off by the same fearful disease.  Yet in all these afflictions she showed a spirit of holy resignation.

In the summer of 1671 she made the acquaintance of Father La Combe, who came with an introductory letter from her half-brother Father La Mothe.  He was in search of inward peace, and Madame Guyon’s counsels, the outcome of deep thought and Divine enlightenment, were of great service to him.  The next year was marked by other trying losses.  Her little daughter, who latterly had been her one source of human comfort, died rather suddenly.  This was probably the severest trial of her life.  In the same month she lost her affectionate father.  Yet in these bereavements also she charged not God foolishly, but took them as a part of the discipline wisely ordered to knit her soul in closer union to Him.

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