I WILL NOT GO TO SLEEP IN S

When he made his First Communion, a boy resolved never to go to sleep with mortal sin upon his conscience.

His resolution was:

— If I should have the misfortune of committing a grave sin, I will go to confession that very day and I will not go to bed until I have been reconciled with God.

A few months later, he had the weakness to commit such a sin. It was Saturday, the weather was bad, and the church was far away. He said to himself:

— Tomorrow, when I go to Mass, I will find the confessor and make my confession.

However, he remembered his promise, and an inner voice said to him:

— Do what you promised; go to confession.

Still, he hesitated. In the midst of this struggle, he knelt down and begged Our Lady for help, praying a Hail Mary that she might show him God's will.

As soon as he finished the prayer, he felt even more strongly urged to confess immediately. He rose, ran to the church, and made his confession.

On his way back he met his godmother, who asked him where he had been.

— I have just been to confession, he replied with a joyful and happy face. I committed a sin and did not want to go to sleep without obtaining forgiveness. Now that I have recovered God's grace, I can sleep peacefully.

His mother had the habit of letting him sleep a little longer on Sundays, so she did not wake him early. At seven o'clock she knocked on his door and called him by name. There was no answer.

A quarter of an hour passed, and the boy still did not appear. She called again, but without success.

Anxious, she opened the door and approached the bed where her son lay motionless. She touched him; he was cold. She looked at him for a moment, cried out, and fainted.

The boy was dead!

And what if he had not gone to confession?