Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-11-26
For the VERMONT FARMER.
Tt is More Blessed to Give than to Re
I'D ceive."

From the FIRST of my reading and sabbath.
school going experience, have often read
and heard this text--in the little Sunday
school Advocate I; and when they wanted a
collection for the poor, beuighted juveniles
in heather land, or any other "poor," this
was one choice argument why we should be
generous. Even ministers, when reporting
their own donations 10y them received), close
by saying, ait is more blessed to give than
to receive" BY the way, L don't think that
is in very good taste-as much rs to say
1--WE had very good time, but you had the
best enjoyment, after all"
Well, | did not understand or believe 1t
when child, aud do not believe or COM
preheud il now. Do you think it is because
| never give7 Not so; for | do, oiten,--
many times cheerfully, sometimes grudg-
ingly; usually feeling both emotions, and
all these years have looked in vain for the
blessing Of giving.
Now, to make you understand my per.
plexity, though do not understand il any
better than dc the maxim.
| often impulsively divide my store Of that
Of which have an abundance with friend or
neighbor who has none, and so far from feel
ing any pleasure in giving only am pleased
that they, too, enjoy what ] attn blessed with /;
and know if had been the one that had
none, should have been pleased fourfold more
with like gift. have fed the hungry,
and know by actual experience that they
were blessed and rejoiced with them. |
have clad the shivering, aud l knew they
we're blessed, because | am so when warm
and comfortably clothed. carried basket
of Well-cooked food to the weary. wOrn-down
mother Of three sick children, with as many
more who we're well, and rejoiced to help
her because she needed help.
Years ago, q very poor neighbor had a
sick baby, just the age Of my own darling,
and the poor little fellow had shoes, while
my boy had two pairs, aud twice us many
stockings; and his tiny feet were so cold
aud his face and hands so bue--well, the
next morning sent him shoes aud stockings
though at the same moment almost jealous
that any other feet should wear what my
baby had worn. o. how glad was tC
think he was warm,--that he had received, -
and even to this day rejoice that as long
as he lived in this wintry world he wa
warm and he is now where winters colo
never comes.
Is not the really true enjoyment in receiv
ing, either ourselves, or sympathy with thos'
who receive from us And then, do We fee
80 truly thankful to our friends, and so CRATE
full to God, the giver of all good, as W,
ought2 If we will realize our blessings ant
be truly grateful, and in everything Civ
thanks, how much less repining, and how
much more happiness, in the hearts an
"homes."
l think person who cannot feel that
is blessed to receive cannot enjoy life him
self, or make others so happy as we all ma,
be if We "dO justly, love mercy, and wal
humbly before God" FANNY.
IThis lady seems to be 10 a dilemma, an
has really taken ga new departure" W
are pleased to see our contributors question
ing some of our a1iOms, Ii shows they al
beginning to think for themselves. We cal
not agree with her, for we think at is moi
blessed to give than to receive" II the giviu
is done in the right spirit-to benefit ii
one upon whom the gift is conferred. Wi
q some contributor please convince Sist,
! Fanny that the text is correct, after all.