Bernard's Charity

“W/icn Bernard chanced to espy a poor man meanly appmrelled, he would say to himself, Truly, Bernard, this man hath more patie7tce beneath his cross than thou hast; ’ but if he saw a rich ma7i delicately clothed, then he would say, ’ may be that this man, under his delicate clothing, hath a better soul than thou hast under thy religious habit! ‘” This showed an excellent charity! Oh, that we could learn it! It is easy to think evil of all men, for there is sure to be some fault about each one which the least discerning may readily discover; but it is far more worthy of a Christian, and shows much more nobility of soul, to spy out the good in each fellow-believer. This needs a larger mind as well as a better heart, and hence it should be a point of honour to practise ourselves in it till we obtain an aptitude for it. Any simpleton might be set to sniff out offensive odours; but it would require a scientific man to bring to us all the fragrant essences and rare perfumes which lie hid in field and garden. Oh, to learn the science of Christian charity! It is an art far more to be esteemed than the most lucrative of human labours. This choice art of love is the true alchemy. Charity towards others, abundantly practised, would be the death of envy and the life of fellowship, the overthrow of self and the enthronement of grace.

Charity, be thou my classics, my poetry, my science, my music, for thou art more to be desired than all these. Thou art a God-like thing, and I would be filled with thee.