Page:SermonsFromTheLatins.djvu/219

 not through  pride  or  vanity  or  hope  of  gain,  else  your largest contribution  will  be  small  and  little  pleasing to the  Saviour. But giving  what  you  can,  however little, give  it  with  love  of  Him  and  His  into  Jesus' hands, and  rest  assured  it  will  be  multiplied  indefinitely for  you  and  them. Give with  purest  motives and with  confidence. Pure motives  will  make  the giving of  even  a  cup  of  water  meritorious  of  eternal life, and  confidence  in  giving  becomes  faith. Fear not that  poverty  will  overtake  your  generosity,  for whosoever gives  to  the  poor  is  creditor  to  the  Lord, and is  sure  to  be  repaid  a  hundredfold. If you  cast your bread  on  the  human  stream,  you  are  sure  to recover  it — twelve  baskets  for  five  barley  loaves — good measure,  pressed  down  and  shaken  together and running  over  will  God  give  into  your  bosom.

Brethren, when  the  wondrous  banquet  was  ended, Christ said  to  His  disciples:  "  Gather  up  the  fragments that  remain,  lest  they  be  lost." Doubtless there was  little  danger  of  their  being  lost,  for  the people would  gladly  have  hoarded  them  against  the morrow's needs. But the  Master  wished  it  otherwise. His lesson  in  altruism  is  for  all,  disciples  and people alike. He bade  His  followers  give  their  all  to the  hungry  throng,  and  now  He  teaches  the  multitude to  do  to  others  as  they  have  been  done  by. The object-lesson was  one  not  only  of  unselfishness,  but also of  faith,  of  trust  in  God. It was  as  though  He said:  "Be  not  solicitous  for  the  morrow.  Your heavenly  Father,  who  feeds  the  birds  and  clothes  the lilies,  is  conscious  of  your  needs.    Give  and  it  shall  be