2. What we give to the great ones of the earth may, in a great measure, be considered as forfeited: but what we present to God is always attended with advantage. He gives it back with interest. He repays with liberality the crumbs that are given for his sake; his rewards are laid up even for _a cup of cold water_. Play, luxury, and debauch, have ruined innumerable families, but alms have impoverished no one. 3. Men at the day of judgment shall be accountable for their alms; but what answer can the unfeeling rich ones make when the poor shall accuse them, when Jesus Christ himself shall reproach them with their insensibility? "Go, ye accursed, into eternal fire: I was hungry, and you gave me not to eat; I was naked, and you did not clothe me," &c. A heart that is hard to the poor, is the heart of a reprobate; but on the contrary, a soul that is truly charitable, is a soul predestined. What can our Judge say against us, when he shall see our clothes upon himself, when he shall see our bread and our money in his own hands? We shall approach his awful tribunal with confidence, provided the poor be our advocates. Consider seriously how you behave to the poor; whether you treat them as members of Jesus Christ, by doing them all the good in your power. "He gives at interest to the Lord, who has pity on the poor." _Proverbs_ xix. "Give unto all, lest he whom you refuse should be Jesus Christ." _St. Augustine_. {197} _Twenty-first Day_--On Bad Example. 1. Bad example has damned more souls than the preaching and good example of all the saints together have been the means of saving. 2. Were the gates of hell to be laid open, scarcely would any one be found that would not say, _it is such or such-a-one that has damned me_. O what a reproach! We are commanded to love our enemies: why then should we destroy souls which have never done us an injury? A man who has been unfortunate enough to ruin souls redeemed by the blood of a God, hath much reason to fear for his salvation. What can we reasonably hope from Jesus Christ, after having torn from him what he hath so dearly purchased? O fathers and mothers, who do not live as Christians ought to live, it were far better for your children that they had never been born! You have given them life only to put them to death; that dreadful death which is eternal! When they shall require of you the heaven they have lost, what will you he able to answer them? 3. Let us clothe ourselves with Jesus Christ, according to the words of the apostle; let his conduct, his virtue, and his spirit shine forth in us, so that _he_ may be remembered when we are seen. We contribute not less to our neighbour's salvation by an edifying life, than we do to his damnation by a scandalous one. Be very careful to do nothing that may scandalize your neighbour; and humbly beg pardon of God for the sins you have occasioned. {198} "Wo be to the man by whom scandal cometh." _St. Matt_. xviii.