April 4

But whoso hath the world's goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him? — 1 John 3:17

“The greatest object in the universe,” said a certain philosopher, “is a good man struggling with adversity”; yet there is still a greater, which is the good man who comes to relieve it.
— Oliver Goldsmith.

Yet I believe that somewhere, soon or late,
A peace will fall
Upon the angry reaches of my mind;
A peace initiate
In some heroic hour when I behold
A friend’s long-quested triumph, or unbind
The tressed gold
From a child’s laughing face. I still believe—
So much believe.
— J. Drinkwater.

Prayer

Almighty God, may I have a liberal heart. Grant that I may feel the needs of thy children in all lands; and may I be willing to give of thy blessings, as I am ready to receive them. May my tribute be not only of tender thoughts and kind words, but may I give of myself, and of what I have, as thou hast through love and wisdom done for me. Amen.