"'Cheerful giving,' writes an aged minister, 'is what enriches the giver
and brings down a blessing from above. A poor clergyman attended one of
Zion's festivals in a distant city. The railroad company supplied him
with a return ticket, and though many of his brethren would secure
treasures from the book-stores, but a solitary twenty-five cent scrip
was in his possession, and he would need that to pay for refreshment on
his way home. It was the last day of the feast. Mention, again and
again, was made of the widow's mite, or poor men's gifts, and, as the
boxes were passed, he felt sad that, in his deep poverty, he could not
cast in a single penny. As the assembly was dismissed, it was announced
that collectors would stand at the door to gather up the _fragments_
which ought to be in the Lord's treasury. With slow steps this good man
passed down and put that last money he possessed into the waiting box.
"In a few moments, a gentleman of the city invited him to his, table to
dine, with quite a number of the dignitaries of the church. During the
repast, the host was called from the table for a little time. At the
conclusion of a pleasant entertainment, the poor minister was taken one
side and an envelope put into his hands, with this remark: 'I was called
from the table by a man who has long owed me a small debt, which I
thought was lost a long time since, and I cannot think what it was paid
to-day for, except that I might give it to you.' The envelope contained
twenty-five dollars. When the books are opened, that rich steward will
see how his money was used, and thank God, who put it into his heart to
dispose of it thus."
"LENDING TO THE LORD."
"A physician who is not a professor of religion, in a neighboring city,
has for many years exhibited an unshaken faith in that declaration. He
told me that he has made many experiments on it, and the Lord has
fulfilled his words, 'That which he hath given will He pay him again,'
in every case. One of his 'experiments' came under my observation.
"It was a bleak and chilling day in the Winter of 1847-8. The doctor was
going his rounds and met a poor colored boy in the street. He was nearly
frozen to death. He accosted the doctor, and asked him most piteously
for a little money, stating, at the same time, that his master, an old
Quaker, had excluded him from the house, and compelled him to remain in
the barn; he could stand it no longer, and desired to go home--twenty
miles up the river. The doctor now had the materials for another test of
the promise. 'You shall not suffer if I can help you,' was his cheering
reply to the boy. He requested him to call at his office, and went to a
neighboring hotel and told the landlord to keep the boy until farther
orders. Late in the evening the boy again appeared at the office, and
stated that the landlord had said, 'We don't keep darkies over night.'
The doctor immediately started out in search of new quarters, and, after
some difficulty, found a colored woman who was willing to keep the boy
for a few days. In a short time the river, which had been closed with
ice, was open. The doctor paid the bills, gave the boy a dollar, and
bade him God speed. That is what he calls lending to the Lord. Now for
the payment. When he called at the house of the colored person to pay
the bill, he 'accidentally' met an old lady, who scrutinized him
closely, and at length said, 'A'n't you Doctor B----?' 'Yes,' was the
reply; 'but who are you?' 'No matter about my name; I owe you four
dollars, which you have long since forgotten, and which I did not intend
to pay you till I saw what you have done to that poor boy. The Lord
bless you for your kindness. Next week you shall have your money.' She
came according to her promise and offered the money, but the doctor was
unwilling to take it, as he had no charge on his books. She forced it on
him. He afterwards simply remarked, 'My meeting that woman was not a
mere _accident_; the Lord always fulfills his promise. I generally get
my capital back, with compound interest.'"