§ 269 Spoken From the Heart Out
In an effort to link practice with preaching, the Sunday-school teacher asked her class of small boys to recite appropriate quotations from the Scriptures as they added their free will offerings to the regular collection. The youngsters had a week in which to find and memorize suitable texts.
On the following Sunday the scholars advanced, one by one, each with a coin ready and his brow furrowed by the effort of trying to remember the quotation he meant to deliver.
First, as was fitting, came the brag pupil and, as he deposited a dime in the plate, he said:
“The Lord loveth a cheerful giver.”
“Beautiful,” said the teacher approvingly. “Now, Harry, what are you going to say?”
“The liberal soul shall be made fat.”
“Willie?”
“Whoso giveth to the poor, lendeth to the Lord.”
“Bobby?”
“Freely thou hast received, freely give.”
“Very good, indeed. Tommy, it’s your turn next.”
Tommy’s hand came slowly forth from his pocket, bringing a penny.
“A fool and his money are soon parted,” said Tommy.