Arranged by
During the retreat of Alfred the Great at Athelnay, at Sometshire, after the defeat of his forces by the Danes, the following circumstance happened, which, while it convinces us of the extremities to which that great man was reduced, gives us also a striking proof of his pious, benevolent disposition. A beggar come to his little castle there and requested alms, when his queen informed him, “that they had only one small loaf remaining, which was insufficient for them and their friends, who were gone in quest of food, though with little hope of success.” The king replied, “Give the poor Christian one half of the loaf. He that could feed five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes can certainly make that half loaf suffice for more than our necessity.” Accordingly the poor man was relieved, and this noble act of charity was soon recompensed by a providential store of fresh provisions, with which his people returned.
Let us learn to take what we have and use it to bless others, and we shall be amazed at the results of blessing which will follow. The smallest gifts when Christ has breathed upon them and given them back to us become an incalculable power for good.