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The Mantle of Charity
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remembering, after his departure, how easy it was to be graceful, he will think over and take to heart the lesson so gently given to him. I tell you, my dear girl, there can be no happy life without charity, and you not only want to pray for it day and night, but you should practise it so persistently that it becomes part of yourself. When you hear somebody say, "I like that girl, 3-011 never hear her say anything disagreeable, and she always makes people feel comfortable," conclude that that girl has simply learned the beauty of charity, and assuming its mantle has taken under its shelter those who were shy, who were troubled, or in pain. I do not think a charitable girl reminds people of the follies that have brought about certain results, but while she tries to cure the pain, and eventually succeeds, she lets the sufferer think out for herself how it all came about, and how a pleasant folly was succeeded by much sorrow.

Nobody who makes a mistake likes to be told that they were warned about it before. The "I-told-you-so" habit is one that is more uncharitable than almost any other, because it is unprovoked. Your friend undoubtedly thought that she was doing right, and when she makes a mistake it becomes your place not to remind her of what led up to it. She has learned her lesson sadly and sorrowfully. The harsh method of treating her suffering, of tearing her wound apart