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Oh； now I recall the text； 'Verily I say unto you they have their
reward。'
I shall ask Doctor Snodgrass to preach a sermon on that verse
some day。〃
〃Using you as an illustration？〃
〃Well； not exactly that； but I could give him some good materials
from
my own experience to prove the truth of Scripture。 I can
honestly say that
there is not one of my charities that has not brought me in a
good return；
either in the increase of influence； the building up of credit；
or the association with substantial people。 Of course you have
to
be careful how you give； in order to secure the best resultsno
indiscriminate givingno pennies in beggars' hats！ It has been
one of my principles always to use the same kind of judgment in
charities
that I use in my other affairs； and they have not disappointed
me。〃
〃Even the check that you put in the plate when you take the
offertory
up the aisle on Sunday morning？〃
〃Certainly； though there the influence is less direct； and I must
confess
that I have my doubts in regard to the collection for Foreign
Missions。
That always seems to me romantic and wasteful。 You never hear
from it in
any definite way。 They say the missionaries have done a good
deal
to open the way for trade； perhapsbut they have also gotten us
into
commercial and political difficulties。 Yet I give to thema
littleit is
a matter of conscience with me to identify myself with all the
enterprises
of the Church； it is the mainstay of social order and a
prosperous civilization。 But the best forms of benevolence are
the well…established； organized ones here at home； where people
can
see them and know what they are doing。〃
〃You mean the ones that have a local habitation and a name。〃
〃Yes； they offer by far the safest return； though of course there
is
something gained by contributing to general funds。 A public man
can't afford to be without public spirit。 But on the whole
I prefer a building； or an endowment。 There is a mutual
advantage to
a good name and a good institution in their connection in the
public mind。
It helps them both。 Remember that； my boy。 Of course at the
beginning
you will have to practise it in a small way； later； you will have
larger opportunities。 But try to put your gifts where they can
be
identified and do good all around。 You'll see the wisdom of it
in
the long run。〃
〃I can see it already； sir； and the way you describe it looks
amazingly wise and prudent。 In other words； we must cast our
bread on
the waters in large loaves； carried by sound ships marked with
the owner's name； so that the return freight will be sure to
come back to us。〃
The father laughed； but his eyes were frowning a little as if
he suspected something irreverent under the respectful reply。
〃You put it humorously； but there's sense in what you say。 Why
not？
God rules the sea； but He expects us to follow the laws of
navigation and commerce。 Why not take good care of your bread；
even when you give it away？〃
〃It's not for me to say why notand yet I can think of cases〃
The young man hesitated for a moment。 His half…finished cigar
had
gone out。 He rose and tossed it into the fire； in front of which
he remained standinga slender； eager； restless young figure；
with a touch of hunger in the fine face； strangely like and
unlike
the father； at whom he looked with half…wistful curiosity。
〃The fact is； sir；〃 he continued； 〃there is such a case in my
mind now；
and it is a good deal on my heart； too。 So I thought of speaking
to you
about it to…night。 You remember Tom Rollins； the Junior who was
so good to me when I entered college？〃
The father nodded。 He remembered very well indeed the annoying
incidents
of his son's first escapade； and how Rollins had stood by him and
helped to
avoid a public disgrace； and how a close friendship had grown
between
the two boys； so different in their fortunes。
〃Yes；〃 he said； 〃I remember him。 He was a promising young man。
Has he succeeded？〃
〃Not exactlythat is not yet。 His business has been going
rather badly。
He has a wife and little baby； you know。 And now he has broken
down；
something wrong with his lungs。 The doctor says his only chance
is
a year or eighteen months in Colorado。 I wish we could help
him。〃
〃How much would it cost？〃
〃Three or four thousand； perhaps； as a loan。〃
〃Does the doctor say he will get well？〃
〃A fighting chancethe doctor says。〃
The face of the older man changed subtly。 Not a line was
altered；
but it seemed to have a different substance； as if it were
carved out of some firm； imperishable stuff。
〃A fighting chance；〃 he said； 〃may do for a speculation； but it
is
not a good investment。 You owe something to young Rollins。
Your grateful feeling does you credit。 But don't overwork it。
Send him three or four hundred； if you like。 You'll never
hear from it again； except in the letter of thanks。 But for
Heaven's sake
don't be sentimental。 Religion is not a matter of sentiment；
it's a matter of principle。〃
The face of the younger man changed now。 But instead of becoming
fixed and graven； it seemed to melt into life by the heat of
an inward fire。 His nostrils quivered with quick breath；
his lips were curled。 〃Principle！〃 he said。 〃You mean
principaland
interest too。 Well； sir； you know best whether that is religion
or not。
But if it is； count me out； please。 Tom saved me from going to
the devil；
six years ago； and I'll be damned if I don't help him to the best
of
my ability now。〃
John Weightman looked at his son steadily。 〃Harold；〃 he said at
last；
〃you know I dislike violent language； and it never has any
influence with me。 If I could honestly approve of this
proposition of yours； I'd let you have the money； but I can't；
it's extravagant and useless。 But you have your Christmas check
for
a thousand dollars coming to you to…morrow。 You can use it as
you please。
I never interfere with your private affairs。〃
〃Thank you；〃 said Harold。 〃Thank you very much！ But there's
another
private affair。 I want to get away from this life； this town；
this house。
It stifles me。 You refused last summer when I asked you to let
me
go up to Grenfell's Mission on the Labrador。 I could go now；
at least as far as the Newfoundland Station。 Have you changed
your mind？〃
〃Not at all。 I think it is an exceedingly foolish enterprise。
It would interrupt the career that I have marked out for you。〃
〃Well； then； here's a cheaper proposition。 Algy Vanderhoof wants
me to
join him on his yacht withwell； with a little partyto cruise
in
the West Indies。 Would you prefer that？〃
〃Certainly not！ The Vanderhoof set is wild and godlessI do not
wish to
see you keeping company