Life and Literature Part 16

CHARITY.

Be not frightened at the hard words "imposition," "imposture;" give and ask no questions. "Cast thy bread upon the waters." Some have, unawares, entertained angels.

--_Lamb._

215

As charity covers a mult.i.tude of sins before G.o.d, so does politeness before men.

--_Lord Greville._

216

Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame.

--_Pope._

217

Where there is plenty, charity is a duty, not a courtesy.

--_Feltham._

218

We step up, when we stoop down, to help the needy.

219

CHARITY--INGRAt.i.tUDE FOR.

Did you ever see the horses taken to water? They rush into some beautiful stream, and drink of it to their heart's content; after which they turn their backs upon it, or stamp in it with their feet, until the water is polluted. This is the price they pay for their refres.h.i.+ng draught. But what, then does the n.o.ble river? It immediately floats away the mud, and continues after, as it was before, full and free of access for the same or other thirsty creatures. And so must you also do. If there be a fountain of genuine charity in your heart, it will constantly, and spontaneously overflow, whether those who drink of it are thankful or not. This life is the season for sowing and scattering; we shall reap hereafter.

220

Give freely to him that deserveth well, and asketh nothing.

221

INASMUCH.

I asked for alms!

He flung a coin at me Contemptuously.

Not without sense of shame I stooped and picked it up.

Does this fulfil The Master's will To give a cup Of water in His Name?

I asked for bread!

He handed out to me Indifferently A ticket for some food.

It answered to my need.

Was this the way On that great day Christ stopped to feed The hungry mult.i.tude?

When we shall wait, After this mortal strife, Eternal life, And to His presence go As suppliants indeed, Will it be thus He will on us In our great need His priceless gift bestow?

--_The Outlook._

222

It is charity not to excite a hope, when it must end in disappointment.

223

When you see a man in distress, acknowledge him at once your fellow man.

Recollect that he is formed of the same materials, with the same feelings as yourself, and then relieve him as you yourself would wish to be relieved.

224

_Leviticus, xxv, 35._--"And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee, then thou shalt relieve him; yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee."

Mr. H----, an ingenious artist, being driven out of all employment, and reduced to great distress, had no resource to which to apply except that of an elder brother, who was in good circ.u.mstances. To him, therefore, he applied, and begged some little hovel to live in, and some small provision for his support. The brother melted into tears, and said, "You, my dear brother! You live in a hovel! You are a man; you are an honor to the family. I am nothing. You shall take this house and the estate, and I will be your guest, if you please." The brothers lived together without its being distinguishable who was proprietor of the estate, till the death of the elder put the artist in possession of it.

225

UNAWARES.

They said, "The Master is coming To honor the town to-day, And none can tell what house or home He may choose wherein to stay."

Then straight I turned to toiling, To make my home more neat; I swept and polished and garnished, And decked it with blossoms sweet.

But right in the midst of my duties A woman came to my door; She had come to tell me her sorrow, And my comfort and aid to implore.

And I said, "I can not listen, Nor help you any to-day; I have greater things to attend to."

So the pleader turned away.

But soon there came another-- A cripple, thin, pale and gray-- And said, "O let me stop and rest Awhile in your home I pray."

I said, "I am grieved and sorry, But I can not keep you to-day; I look for a great and n.o.ble guest."

And the cripple went away.

And the day wore onward swiftly, And my task was nearly done, And a prayer was ever in my heart That the Master to me might come.

I thought I would spring to meet Him, And treat Him with utmost care, When a little child stood by me With a face so sweet and fair-- Sweet, but with marks of tear drops-- And his clothes were tattered old; A finger was bruised and bleeding, And his little bare feet were cold.