Spring Buds; Counsels for the Young (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1883. Excerpt: ... VIII. Love for the Poor. H, how Jesus loves the poor and through you, my child, His little servant, He would send them comfort, help, clothes, food, and above all, love. All devout children must feel a certain regard and affection for the poor. They make for them many little sacrifices, denying themselves many little pleasures and extravagances in order to be able to help them better. A good Archbishop in Spain, when he was only six years old, loved and helped the poor with extraordinary zeal for his tender age. One day when he had been left at home alone, a poor woman came and begged, asking for charity in the name of God. The dear little fellow having nothing else, ran and fetched six chickens that his mother had given him, and which were his chief source of amusement in times of recreation. My child, you should try and recognise JESUS in the person of His poor. You know His words in the Gospel, "I was an hungered, and ye gave Me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took Me in; naked, and ye clothed Me; I was sick, and ye visited Me; I was in prison, and ye came unto Me Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me." How beautiful, how divine a thing is Christian charity. Jesus, in the person of those who are rich, succours His poor. JESUS, in the person of His poor, presents Himself to each one of us and asks a token of our love. Here is a reason, if you are rich, for loving the poor; if you are poor, for loving the rich. IX. Love for our Relations and Friends. N this chapter, my child, it is not my intention to teach you what you already know by sweet experience, that you should love your parents, family and friends. A child ignorant of this love i...