CONTENTS.
| PAGE | |
| THE RARITY OF CHRISTIAN CHARITY | [1] |
| WITH THE CHILDREN OF THE STRANGER | [9] |
| WITH THE CHILDREN'S CHILDREN | [18] |
| WITH THE STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND | [34] |
| WITH THOSE WHO ARE LEFT DESOLATE | [44] |
| WITH THEM THAT GO DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS | [53] |
| WITH THEM WHO WERE READY TO PERISH | [62] |
| CASTING BREAD UPON THE WATERS | [74] |
| WITH THE FEEBLE AND FAINT-HEARTED | [84] |
| WITH THE LITTLE ONES | [100] |
| IN THE KINGDOM | [112] |
| WITH LOST LAMBS | [125] |
| WITH THE SICK | [135] |
| BLESSING THE LITTLE CHILDREN | [144] |
| WITH THEM THAT FAINT BY THE WAY | [157] |
| IN THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH | [165] |
| WITH THE HALT AND THE LAME | [178] |
| WITH THEM WHO HAVE NOT WHERE TO LAY THEIR HEADS | [190] |
| TAKING IN STRANGERS | [200] |
| FEEDING THE MULTITUDE | [209] |
| GIVING REST TO THE WEARY | [220] |
| WITH THE POOR AND NEEDY | [227] |
| GIVING THE FEEBLE STRENGTH | [248] |
| HEALING THE SICK | [261] |
| WITH THE PRISONER | [273] |
"ABOUT MY FATHER'S BUSINESS."
THE RARITY OF CHRISTIAN CHARITY.
Would it not be useful to ask ourselves the question whether we are forgetting the true meaning of "charity" in the constant endeavour to take advantage of organized benevolent institutions, about the actual working of which we concern ourselves very little? As the years go on, and what we call civilisation advances, are we or are we not losing sight of "our neighbour" in a long vista of vicarious benefactions, bestowed through the medium of a subscription list, or casual contributions at an "anniversary festival?"
At the speeches that are made on such occasions, when the banquet is over, and the reading of the amounts subscribed is accompanied by the cracking of nuts and a crescendo or decrescendo of applause, in proportion to the liberality of the donors, we are so frequently reminded of "the good Samaritan," that we begin to feel that we may claim some kind of relationship to him; and may shake our heads with solemn sorrow at the inexcusable conduct of the priest and the Levite. It would be worth while, however, to ask ourselves whether we quite come up to the mark of him who, finding the man wounded and helpless by the wayside, dismounted that he might convey the sufferer to the nearest inn; poured out oil for his wounds and wine for his cheer; left him with money in hand for the supply of his immediate needs; and did not scruple—with a robust and secure honesty—even to get into debt on his behalf: since the crown of good-will would be the coming again to learn of the patient's welfare. The debt was a pledge of the intention.
That was the Lord Christ's way of looking at charitable responsibility, and at benevolent effort; and even granting that He illustrated the answer to the question, "Who is my neighbour?" by an extreme case of sudden distress, the longer we look at the peculiar needs of the man who was on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho, the more perhaps we shall be convinced that there are greater, far greater evils, and more terrible accidents, than to fall among thieves, who temporarily rob, strip, and disable their victim.