78. Grace of Giving

Grace of Giving

I MAY BE DEAD.—A missionary in the West Indies having called on the people for help in spreading the gospel, a negro man came forward, and putting his hand in one pocket, pulled out some silver, saying, “That’s for me, Massa;” and another parcel from another pocket. “That’s for my wife, Massa;” and another still—in all, upwards of twelve dollars—”That’s for my child, Massa.” When asked if he were not giving too much, he-said, “God’s work must be done, Massa, and I may be dead.”

BLIND GIRL’S OFFERING.—A poor blind girl brought a clergyman thirty shillings for the missionary cause. He objected, “You are a poor blind girl, and cannot afford to give so much.” “I am indeed blind,” said she, “but can afford to give these thirty shillings better, perhaps, than you suppose.” “How so?” “I am, sir, by trade, a basketmaker, and can work as well in the dark as in the light. Now, I am sure in the last winter it must have cost those girls who have eyes more than thirty shillings for candles to work by, which I have saved.”

GIVING PAYS.—A rich merchant, who was supporting several native missionaries in India, was asked how he could do it. He replied, “At my conversion, I promised to give away a certain part of what business brought in; and, every year since, it has brought me in about double what it did the year before; so I keep on multiplying my gift to Christ’s cause.” WHERE IT WAS.—When a gentleman who had been accustomed to give away thousands of dollars was supposed to be on his deathbed, his presumptive heir inquired where his fortune was to be found. He replied that it was in the pockets of the poor—a deathbed confession of very rare occurrence in modern times.

CREDIT SEEMED LONG.—A wealthy gentleman was waited on by the advocates of a charitable institution, for which they solicited his aid, reminding him of the Divine declaration, “He that hath pity on the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him again.” To this he replied, “The security, no doubt, is good, and the interest liberal; but I cannot give such long credit.” Poor rich man! Not a fortnight had elapsed before he received a summons which he could not refuse. He died.

ALMS ON HIS BACK.—Rabbi Abba is held up as a pattern in the Talmud. To avoid embarrassing the poor he carried a bag of alms on his back, from which they might help themselves.

WANTED HER TO LEARN.—Seeing a father send his little girl with a few pence to a poor man, a person asked the father why he sent the child to give the pence. He replied, “I want her to learn to do nice things while she is a little one.” Is not this one great reason why our Heavenly Father allows us to be givers, that we may learn to do kind, godlike things while we are surrounded by those who need them in so many forms. THE LAST TEARS.—A poor and almost friendless old man had been making his home with a young couple. The times were hard and their limited resources made him a burden. One night they sat up late and talked over the matter as to what should be done with him. Before retiring, they concluded to look into the old man’s room. But alas! the spirit had fled, and the tears that had flowed from his eyes, and now stood upon his cold cheeks, seemed to prove that he had overheard their conversation.