We are told that we must seek our salvation. That is bad advice. He that seeketh to save his life shall lose it. It is this very seeking to save ourselves that damns us and the race. It is the very selfish desire for salvation which allies us to the sphere of lust. The true spirit is to seek to save our fellow-man; and as we can not save him except by adapting our ideas to his needs, we must, as instruments to his salvation, put away our lust. That effort will result in our own salvation. There is but one way to save ourselves, and that is by fitting ourselves as the instruments for the redemption of the world. Laboring to redeem our outcast and down-trodden brother and sister is the very best kind of labor to elevate ourselves, since it exercises in us the true love for our fellow-men. Thus it appears that it is more blessed to give than to receive. I may go out into the streets some cold morning, and seeing a beggar, stop and debate with myself whether he is worthy or not; or for fear that I may refuse the right one, I may drop a sixpence in his hand. From such an act I will not receive a blessing. But if I (in forgetfulness of considerations of that kind, from the overflowings of a loving heart, from a sincere desire to do good to a fellow-man who is in need) give him alms, it is laying up treasure in heaven. I have placed it at my Father’s disposal—have intrusted it to one of his messengers. We have a fashionable way of doing charities in this world. We do not like to be troubled with charities. We are willing to be taxed some—we are very generous to give sometimes; but then we do not want the trouble of finding the object, and bestowing it with that love, kindness, and sympathy of soul which carries more joy to the stricken heart than the poor pittance. He needs it as much as he does your other charities. But instead of taking this trouble, we raise contributions, appoint a committee, and go and drop our gifts by machinery here and there. If you will look up a poor sufferer some of these cold mornings, and give but a dime, with a blessing, you will not only carry joy into the heart of the suffering poor, but rejoicing into the Angel-spheres. In that way you must cast your bread upon the water, and you will find it after many days—will hear, eternally you will hear, the music of that poor sufferer’s thankful heart. If you once in purity of soul, in the pure affection of your heart, go and bestow a kindness from a pure and fervent spirit, you will awaken a chord which will vibrate harmoniously in your soul to all eternity.