Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1848-11-18
A THOUGHT FOR WINTER.

IHOuGHI FUN VIM HN'
A bountiful harvest has filled our barns
with grain, and Autumn has shed its rich
fruits upon us in pnofusion. All the pro-
ductions of Earth, which this season has
SO plentifully repaid the labors of the hus-
bandman, are gathered and garnered. AL
ready stern winteris upon us with his frost,
snow and biting winds, and while we sit
by the blazing hearth listening to the storm,
or wrapped in wool and fur, dare the cold
without, let us remember there are those a
bout US, upon whose unprotected bodies
that storm and cold fall in all their violence.
Let him who rises from the table where his
inner man has been comforted, think Of
the many who are at that moment suffer-
ing from the knawings of hunger. These
are the thoughts which must enter the
mind of every one, in whom is spark Of
humanity. But let not the thought pass
unheeded, or turn into a selfish congratula-
ton on your good fortune. Look about
among your neighbors on whom the bles-
sings of Providence have not been bestow-
ed with so liberal hand. See if there is
not some one whom you can bless by the
bounty, it is in your power to distribute. Is
there no family, whose supporter has been
prevented by the hand of disease from pro-
viding against the approach of winter
where you can shed gladness by few
bushels of potatoes or bag of grain, that
will never be missed from your full bins !
A load of wood or coal, joint of meat
when your fatted OK is killed, may give
comfort and support to some neighbor and
make you no poorer. There are innumer-
able little charities each OF us may dispense.
Give then, and with no niggard hand. God
has not given us abundance to waste in ex-
travagance, or hoard in avarice but that
we may mete out kindness to others as he
has to us. But give not in an arrogant spi-
rit that makes the recipient feel his depen-
dence. Give as friend gives to fir lend, and
the sense of your kindness will come with
double force. Many refuse charity when
rendered in an improper manner, while
they are in woeful want for there is a
feeling of pride in every mans bosom
which revolts at the assumption of superb
ority. Give then, in thankfulness, that you
are able to give. There is much good in
small things, and the loaf bread you give
to the starving man may save him from the
gallows. And it is your duty to relieve
the suffering. The time may come when
yourself will need the charities of the more
fortunate. Besides there is pleasure in
being able to give to the poor, an inward
consciousness of right that warns the heart
and cherishes the better feelings of our ma.
turc. The smallest act of charity come:
back upon the giver and makes his spirit
lighter. !, is the true nature of man to bt
benevolent.
"1le poorest poor
Long for some moments in weary life,
When they can know and feel that they have beer,
Themselves, the fathers and the dsalers-out
OF some small blessings; have been kind to such
As needed Kindness for the single cause,
That we have nil Of us human heart.'
Then in your plenty forget not the poor
And while on Thanksgiving Day, you prais'
God for the abundance he has blessed yo,
with, you will feel doubly grateful ant
happy that you have not neglected his com
mand.
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