gathered up: that is to say, that the gifts of charity are riches of benediction, which multiply in proportion as they are distributed, and which bear along with them into our houses a source of happiness and abundance. Yes, my brethren, charity is a gain; it is a holy usury; it is a principle which returns, even here below, an hundred fold. You sometimes complain of a fatality in your affairs: nothing succeeds with you; men deceive you; rivals supplant you; masters neglect you; the elements conspire against you; the best concerted schemes are blasted: — associate with you the poor; divide with them the increase of your fortune; in proportion as your prosperity augments, do you augment your benefactions; flourish for them as well as for yourself; and God himself shall then be interested in your success; you shall have found out the secret of engaging him in your fortune, and he will preserve, — what do I say? — he will bless, he will multiply riches, in which he sees blended the portion of his afflicted member.
This is a truth, confirmed by the experience of all ages: charitable families are continually seen to prosper; a watchful Providence presides over all their affairs; where others are ruined, they become rich: they are seen to flourish, but the secret canal is not perceived which pours in upon them their property: they are the fleeces of Gideon, covered with the dew of heaven, while all around is barren and dry.
Such is the first advantage of compassion, I say nothing even of the pleasure, which we ought to feel in the delightful task of soothing those who suffer, in making a fellow-creature happy, in reigning over hearts, and in attracting upon ourselves the innocent tribute of their acclamations and their thanks. O! were we to reap but the pleasure of bestowing, would it not be an ample recompense to a worthy heart? What has even the majesty of the throne more delicious than the power of dispensing favours? Would princes be much attached to their grandeur, and to their power, were they confined to a solitary enjoyment of them? No, my brethren, make your riches as subservient as you will, to your pleasures, to your profusions, and to your caprices; but never will you employ them in a way which shall leave a joy so pure, and so worthy of the heart, as in that of comforting the unfortunate.
What, indeed, can be more grateful to the heart, than the confidence that there is not a moment in the day in which some afflicted souls are not raising up their hands to heaven for us, and blessing the day which gave us birth? Hear that multitude whom Jesus Christ hath filled; the air resounds with their blessings and thanks: they say to themselves, This is a prophet; they wish to establish him their king. Ah! were men to choose their masters, it would neither be the most noble, nor the most valiant; it would be the most compassionate, the most humane, the most charitable, the most feeling: masters who, at the same time, would be their fathers.
Lastly, I need not add that Christian charity assists in expiating the crimes of abundance; and that it is almost the only mean of salvation which Providence hath provided for you, who are born to
