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And as for Alexandra Grigorievna, we, unworthy ones, most agree with your advice: a smaller cell is much more useful for her, and more modest, and in all parts calmer. And in a large cell they will temporarily place newly arrived sisters, some of whom often have seditious morals and characters, and will be nearby to seditiously and disturb. And for the sake of these prudent opinions, due to her infirmities and poor health, the small cell they examined with Praskovya Ivanovna was more capable and more profitable for Alexandra Grigorievna. But with what intention did the mother abbess pile such a large cell on her, we are perplexed about this, but we do not know either the monastery there, or the place, or the internal affairs and order. But, however, you can write to her together with Praskovia Ivanovna or on your own alone: ​​“Alexandra Grigorievna, you are quite aware of my devotion and goodwill towards you. But at the same time, remember that I owe the union to marriage and you know how Peter Vasilyevich assumes about you, and he firmly remembers that you have a cell ready in the Tifin monastery, in which the mother abbess is eager to receive you with an embrace of her arms, so, if you want to place yourself in that cell that you inspected with your benefactor Praskovia Ivanovna, which in your opinion the state of affairs should be beneficial - then I will try with pleasure; but about the big one you write about, I can’t muster the courage to dare without the consent of Pyotr Vasilyevich.” Sell ​​your things in advance, because she definitely needs to send for even a small cell; and that Pyotr Vasilyevich doubts her constancy, it seems that he shouldn’t even think about it, because her weak position alone necessarily forces her to be in the monastery’s resting cell. When you write to her, advise her to adhere to moderation and modesty. Advice on accepting a sister into a cell You can sell part of the cell according to your need, but make sure that it is a sister in spirit and not from those who are resistant. It seems that this one you are writing about is on a completely different side, maybe there will be another one. On the acceptance of sisters and brothers into the cell As for accepting your sister into cohabitation, I only have to say that “two are better than one,” and beyond that, I submit your feelings to the will of the Universal Patron, to Whom I entrust you in everything. I strongly advise against accepting brothers, even relatives, into the cell beyond the blessed time - otherwise you will incur temptation on yourself. In vain I changed my cell We heard that you left your sister again to your cell; I did it in vain - you must be support and consolation for each other in sorrow; Yes, you experienced harm while living alone in your cell. In two of your letters you write about your grief over the destruction of the neighboring cell, which is why yours also requires construction - a canopy and a porch. We see that you grieve, grumble, blame others and are embarrassed, which you will not harm them in the least, but will not help yourself, and yet you must build, only with damage to your spiritual structure, and if you had accepted this visit with patience, you could have taken advantage of it. If you recognize yourself as a sinner, then you know that the wounds of a sinner are many, but when you admit that you are a righteous one, then again it is written: “Many are the sorrows of the righteous” (Ps. 33:20). No matter where you turn, you cannot live without sorrow. Who arranges them? God Himself provides for everyone and controls everything; whoever accepts otherwise, departs from the truth and becomes like the dumb. An oath to God made without reasoning is not pleasing to God Tell Ekaterina Ivanovna about the oath promise about her son - before God, an oath made without reasoning, God does not want this. If he delights, we will live; let him place all his hope in the will of God and in His holy Providence - He alone knows what is for our benefit. Correct your servants with more meekness, set an example Correct your servants more with meekness, set an example in everything, teach them with yourself and pray for them more often, remembering that in Christ Jesus we are all brothers and members of Him. God, seeing your love and zeal, will do mercy for you with them, and then, according to their will, you will be able to bring them closer to the Lord, without whom it is difficult for you to succeed, and, perhaps, completely impossible. About other things, God will arrange what is beneficial for your soul, just undoubtedly surrender to His Holy Providence and do not give up wishing for it. I advise you to reproach yourself and pacify your brethren with a spirit of meekness I advise you not to enter into any unblessed business, to blame yourself, and to pacify the weak brethren with a spirit of meekness. “For the Lord will train the meek in spirit...” (Ps. 24:9) When you strive against the spirit of rage and acquire meekness, you will receive instruction from the Lord himself. “For the Lord will guide the meek in spirit, and teach the meek his ways” (Ps. 24:9). You might be interested in: