But, apart from this somewhat curious development and perhaps exaggerated view, there remains the undisputed fact that almsgiving was urged upon the primitive congregations of Christians with a force and insistency quite unknown in mediæval and modern times; and the splendid voluntary generosity to the poor and needy and forlorn on the part not only of the well-to-do, but of all who had anything to give, however little, was no doubt a most important element in the rapid extension of the Christian religion. It demonstrated, as nothing else could, the real and intense love of Christians one for the other. It was verily a brotherhood, and constantly, even in the most exalted quarters,[67] evoked the grudging admiration of the bitterest foes of the religion of Jesus. * * * * * So numerous, so touching, so insistent are the early references here, that it would be simply impossible to quote even a small part of them. But a very few examples from early writings will, however, show what was the nature of the exhortations and teaching here which we know were pressed home in every one of these early gatherings of the Christian Brotherhood. The _1st Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians_ (_circa_ A.D. 90 or earlier) has been well described as matchless in early Christian literature as an elaborate and effective piece of writing, lit up with all the brotherly affection of the Church. Such sentences as these occur in the Epistle: “Who did not proclaim your splendid hospitality (to strangers)--you did everything without respect of persons ... you are more ready to give than to take. Day and night you agonized for all the Brotherhood, that by means of comparison and care the number of God’s elect might be saved. You never rued an act of kindness, but were ready for every good work.” In the _Didaché_ (Teaching of the Apostles) we come across such directions as-- “To every one that asketh thee give, and ask not back; for to all the Father wishes to give of His own gracious gifts.” “Blessed is he that giveth.... Let thine alms drop like sweat into thy hands, so long as thou knowest to whom thou givest.” This last injunction, from the way it is introduced, is probably a reference to some unwritten traditional saying spoken by our Lord Himself.--_Didaché_, i. “Thou shalt not hesitate to give, nor in giving shalt thou murmur.”--_Didaché_, iv. “Thou shalt not turn away from the needy, but thou shalt share all things with thy brother; and thou shalt not say that they are thine own: for if ye are fellow partakers in that which is immortal, how much more in things which are mortal.”--_Didaché_, iv. _Aristides_--_circa_ A.D. 130-40: