Benevolent

 

Systematic Benevolence


THE Toronto Christian Guardian gives the account of a shoemaker who being asked how he contrived to give so much, replied: "It is easily done by obeying  St. Paul's precepts, 

in 1 Corinthians 16:2, 

'Upon the first day of the week let every

one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.' 

I earn, said he, one day with another, about a dollar a day, and I can, without inconvenience to myself or family, lay by five cents of this sum for charitable purposes; the amount is thirty cents a week. My wife takes in sewing and washing, and earns something like two dollars a week, and she lays by ten cents of that.

My children each of them earn a shilling or two and are glad to contribute their penny; so that together we lay by us in store forty cents a week. And if we have been unusually prospered, we contribute something more. The weekly amount is deposited every Sunday morning in a box kept for that purpose, and reserved for future use. Thus by these small earnings we have learned that 'it is more blessed to give than to  receive.' The yearly amount saved in this way, is about twenty-five dollars! and I distribute among the various benevolent societies, according to the best of my judgment." This so perfectly illustrates the words of the Apostle, "Upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him" that we have given it for the perusal of the readers...

The Apostle knew the best course to take to raise means for good and benevolent purposes, and has given the right instruction.  The readers... may here learn a good lesson of industry, self-denial and systematic benevolence.

Probably this lesson can be practiced, in some degree at least, by you all; and we will assure you that nothing will make you so happy as a willing sacrifice on your part, so as to have something for benevolent purposes.



YI