Page:MyPrayerBookHappinessInGoodness.djvu/58

 rule announced  by  our  blessed  Saviour:  "As  you would  that  men  should  do  to  you,  do  you  also  to  them in  like  manner"  (Luke  vi.  31). In doing  good  to others  we  become  like  to  Christ,  of  whom  we  read in the  Gospel  that  "He  went  about  doing  good  to all."

"This commandment  we  have  from  God,"  says  the disciple, whom  Jesus  loved,  "that  he,  who  loveth  God, love  also  his  brother"  (1  John  iv.  21). And St.  Paul observes. "He, who  loveth  his  neighbor,  hath  fulfilled the  law"  (Rem.  xiii.  8).

What Shakespeare  says  of  mercy,  pertains  also  to charity  and  kindness:  "It  droppeth  as  the  gentle  rain from  heaven;  it  is  twice  blessed;  it  blesseth  him  that gives  and  him  that  takes." We reap  what  we  sow. Kindness begets  kindness. Man can  scarcely  enjoy  1 sweeter satisfaction  than  that  which  results  from good deed  generously  performed  or  a  kind  word  unselfishly spoken. "Happy is  he,  who  has  charity for  every  one,"  says  the  Blessed  Egidius  of  Assisi; "happy is  he,  who  performs  great  services  for  his neighbor,  yet  does  not  trouble  about  receiving  anything in  return."

Our deeds  of  disinterested  charity  are  recorded  in the  Book  of  Life. On the  great  day  of  recompense, our blessed  Saviour  will  say:  "Come,  ye  blessed  of  My Father,  possess  the  kingdom  prepared  for  you  from  the foundation  of  the  world;  for  I  was  hungry  and  you gave  Me  to  eat;  I  was  thirsty  and  you  gave  Me  to  drink; was  a  stranger  and  you  took  Me  in;  naked,  and  you covered  Me;  sick,  and  you  visited  Me;  I  was  in  prison, and  you  came  to  Me;  .  .  .  As  long  as  you  did  it  to one  of  these  little  children  you  did  it  to  Me"  (Matt. xxv.  34-36).