institution.

What one of you who read these lines can read the story of that little
hero and not be touched by the generous love and beautiful conception of
charity he possessed.

He did not need sensational stories in newspapers or solicitors of
charitable organizations to stir him to action.

He found opportunity at his door, close at home, near by, where all of
us can find it if we only look.

I don't believe much in this far-away charity idea so many have.

I believe in helping those near where I am rather than sending money to
Siam.

It may be a pleasurable sensation for you to contribute fifty dollars to
a missionary scheme in Siam, and get the Missionary report of the budget
made up from the foreign missionary fund.

I know that a bucket of coal in an empty stove, a basket of bread and
liberal hunk of round steak to the starving family around the corner
brings the donor a better sensation.

Take a trip to the hospitals, learn about the homes of the suffering
patients in the charity ward, and you will resolve it's a better act to
send flour to the poor than flowers to the rich.

Little Spencer Nelson had the right idea of charity: definite, immediate
help to those he could reach right where he was, rather than sending
money to sufferers far, far away.

Let your gifts be principally flour and beef; they help those who need
help. Flowers are all right in their place, but there are more places
where flour can be used to better purpose.

I'm keener for filling the coffee can of my suffering neighbor than
filling the coffers of the big charity five thousand miles away.

I try to help both ways, but the home help pays the bigger dividends.
What do you think about it?

FRIENDS

A Most Abused, Too Often Used Word

You have found a friend who has been so much help and comfort to you. I
have such a friend. Tonight I am in the mood to think of that friend and
write him a letter like this:

This is to You. It is for You. It is about You. You I have in mind and
the good influence you have had on me. It is a happiness and
satisfaction to know you, and to bask in the atmosphere of you.

The world is better because of you. You have helped to raise the
average.

You and your goodness, you do not appreciate what that means. You are so
modest, so loath to think of yourself, so unselfish in this respect that
I must tell you of you and about you.

You have a warm heart that throbs for others' woes a