Benevolence


THE young are presented, often enough, in a

world like this, with lessons of selfishness, but

where are the lessons of benevolence? When

and where are the young taught to do good for 

the mere pleasure of it? When and where have 

they seen taught by natural, consistent example,

 that it is more blessed to give than to receive?

Not that there is no blessedness in receiving.

The Bible does not affirm this, neither do facts.

Let the blessedness of receiving be valued as

lightly as it may be; as highly, absolutely so, as

it ever has been. Love to our neighbor is ever

to be graduated, in some degree, at least, by 

love itself. But I still say, that if we value 

"to receive"

ever so highly, the value of "to give" rises

higher. Children should be taught this. Not,

if it were possible, by precept alone, but, as I

have before said, by consistent example. Precept 

may do much, but example will do much

more. Let the habit of doing to others, and of

loving to do good, be implanted as early as

 possible.

There was a single strawberry on the vines one

day a straggler, the last of the season and yet

a choice one. "Will you have that," said I, "or

will you give it to your little sister?" " I want

it," said he. "I know you do," I replied, "but

so does she, and it is hardly worth while to

 divide it. One of you must have it, and the other

do without it. If Pam has it, you must go without

it; but if you have it, Pam will be obliged to

go without it. Here it is, you may eat it, and

let Pam go without it; or you may give it to her

and go without it yourself."

It was quite a trial to the little boy; but, selfish

though he was, a kindling benevolence for a

moment predominated. He gave up the 

strawberry to his sister, and said no more. Nor 

was there anything more said at the time. I was

was anxious to have both of them feel the full

influence of the action. I was especially desirous

however, that the elder child should know 

from experience that 

"it is more blessed to give than to receive."

Let it not be supposed that I attach great 

importance to a single insulated act of this kind;

 for it is far otherwise. But there must be a 

beginning somewhere. Besides, habit is formed

 by the repetition of single acts. On this account 

I would begin with little occurrences the smaller

 they are, and the less they depart from the 

ordinary, natural, even tenor of life, the better.


Mother's Assistant.



The Good we Might Do


WE all might do good

When we often do ill,

There is always the way,

If we have but the will;

Though it be but a word

Kindly breathed or suppressed,

It may guard off some pain,

Or give peace to some breast.

We all might do good

In a thousand small ways

In forbearing to flatter,

Yet yielding due praise

In spurning ill humor,

Reproving wrong done,

And treating but kindly

Each heart we have won.

We all might do good,

Whether lowly or great,

For the deed is not gauged

By the purse or estate:

If it be but a cup

Of cold water that's given,

Like "the widow's two mites,"

It is something for heaven.



YI