July 2005

Week One

"He that will believe only what he can fully comprehend, must have a very long head or a very short creed."
~ Colton

Week Two

"Good nutrition and health habits, exercise and a positive outlook help keep the body and mind in good condition. It's our Christian duty to make the most of what we are and have. We ought to look our best, think our best and act our best--not only for our own sake but also to be as helpful to others as possible.

"We can't change facts but we can change our attitudes. One woman recently said, 'I have a 16-year-old spirit living in an 82-year-old body.' Her hips and knees no longer bend easily. Her eyes and ears no longer function well. But her tongue still praises the Lord. Her heart is happy. She's a joy to know and to be near.

"If you're still alive, you're growing older. Grow older gratefully. Thank the Lord for the wonderful gift of life. Thank Him for the years you've had to use the gifts He's given you. Look for opportunities to do as much good as you can as long as you can.

"Next time somebody asks your age, tell the truth. And with the next breath add, 'Praise the Lord!"
~ Author Unknown

Week Three

"The secret to success is constancy to purpose."
~ Disraeli

Week Four

"There are 8 degrees or steps in the duty of charity.

"The first and lowest is to give, but with reluctance or regret. This is the gift of the hand, but not of the heart.

"The second is to give cheerfully, but not proportionately to the distress of the sufferer.

"The third is to give cheerfully and proportionately to the distress of the sufferer.

"The fourth is to give cheerfully, proportionately, and even unsolicited; but to put it in the poor man's hand, thereby exciting in him the painful emotion of shame.

"The fifth is to give charity in such a way that the distressed may receive the bounty, without their being known to him. Such was the conduct of some of our ancestors who used to tie up money in the corners of their cloaks, so that the poor might take it unpreceived.

"The sixth, which rises still higher, is to know the object of our bounty, but remain unknown to them. Such was the conduct of those of our ancestors who used to convey their charitable gifts into poor people's dwellings; taking care that their own persons and names should remain unknown.

"The seventh, is still more meritorious, namely, to bestow charity in such a way that the benefactor may not know the relieved persons, as was done by our charitable forefathers during the existance of the Temple. For there was in that holy building a place called the Chamber of the Silent, wherein the good deposited secretly whatever their generous hearts suggested, and from which the poor were maintained with equal secrecy.

"The eight and most meritorious of all is to anticipate charity by preventing poverty; namely, to assist the reduced fellowman, either by a considerable gift or sum of money, or by teaching him a trade, or by putting him in the way of business, so that he may earn an honest livelihood, and not be forced to the dreadful alternative of holding out his hand of charity.

"This is the highest step and the summit of charity's golden ladder."
~ Author Unknown

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