56 CHARITY.

would not even tread upon @ worm, if I
~ knew it.”

I left the poor beggar with his words trea-
sured in my heart: and I drew this lesson
from his story,—that a beggar may still im
part truth and wisdom; that under the garb
of poverty, there may be something to re+
spect and admire; that even seeming weak-
ness has often a touching moral for those
who will listen and learn; and that God
sends down to the crushed bosom, in kind-
ness and for consolation. that mantle of
charity, Which is even better than garments
of purple and fine linen.