When the wife got the Bible, she carried it to her father, who was much pleased to find this favorite book in his native tongue, and, opening it at the New Testament, he began to read aloud. The young couple listened and soon grew so interested that they begged him to go on, till they kept him reading late into the night. Deeply touched by the “old, old story of Jesus and His love,” they began to read for themselves. Soon they learned that pardon and peace had already been purchased for them, and that what God required of them was not penances and a bondage to fear through life, and masses and the agonies of purgatory after death, but child-like faith and loving obedience—that godliness which gives promise of the life that now is, and that which is to come. The son’s first wish was to have his mother learn the good news, so he carried back the Bible, saying: “Why, mother, you never got the best out of this book! You only looked for something to die by, and it is full of good words to live by as well. Let me read you some.” “No, my son,” responded she, “I got what I wanted out of the book, and that is enough for me. I do not care to look for more.” “But, mother,” pleaded he, “you would be so much happier if you knew the true way to live and to die.” “Hush, Jose,” said the mother, indignantly. “Do you dare to hint that I, who have taught so many how to die, do not know how myself? Let me alone, and do not trouble me any more about the book.” The man went back to his wife troubled and disappointed. The more they studied the book, however, the better they understood that it was God’s Spirit who had opened their eyes, and to Him they must look to perform the same miracle upon their mother, that blind one leading the blind, and for this they are still daily watching and praying.—_Selected._ The Giving Alphabet All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.—1 Chron. xxix. 14. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.—Mal. iii. 10. Charge them that are rich in this world ... that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.—1 Tim. vi. 17, 18. Do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.—Gal. vi. 10. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly or of necessity.—2 Cor. ix. 7. Freely ye have received, freely give.—Matt. x. 8. God loveth a cheerful giver.—2 Cor. ix. 7. Honor the Lord with thy substance and with the first fruits of all thine increase.—Prov. iii. 12. If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.—2 Cor. viii. 12. Jesus said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.—Acts xx. 35.