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).
