March 19

God loveth a cheerful giver. — 2 COR. ix. 7.

Freely ye have received, freely give. — MATT. x. 8.

SIR ISAAC NEWTON said that matter is capable of such condensation that the whole earth might be compressed into the size of a cannon-ball. Here are two words that contain the whole gospel, both of salvation and service: receiving, giving.

Imparting is both the end for which we receive and the condition upon which we receive more. The inflow of a fountain is in order to its outflow, and must cease when the outflow stops. He is but a "dead sea" who receives without imparting. As Canon Wilberforce says, the substance of all duty is, "Admit, submit, commit, transmit."

We have received freely. The priceless boons of nature — sunshine, rain and dew, atmosphere — are without price, while beyond price. Heaven itself may be had for the asking. God lives to give; and all true living is free and constant giving. The godlike soul is not a cold and barren peak or arid desert, but a broad and beautiful valley with waving harvests and singing streams.

Giving is the secret of joy. "It is more blessed to give than to receive," for it is the bliss of God!


That man may last, but never lives

Who much receives, but nothing gives;

Whom none can love, whom none can thank. —

Creation's blot, creation's blank!

GIBBONS.