Page:Sermons by John-Baptist Massillon.djvu/207

 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