On Giving

The following essay was published by George Matthews Adams in his Today's Talk column in the Saline News. A truer thought may never have seen print.

Today’s Talk
By George Matthew Adams

On Giving

I have carried in my mind a sentence that I came across in my youth. “The only things we keep are the things that we give away”. It was Lowell who said that “the gift, without the giver is bare.” And then there is that example of the “Widow’s Mite, as told in the New Testament.

Many years ago, Henry G. Denny, who was then Treasurer of Harvard University, sent out an appeal for funds to buys books for its library. There was a printed caption as follows: “we hereby agree to contribute the sums set against our respective names towards a fund to be permanently invested, the income of which shall be applied to the purchase of books for the public library of Harvard College.”

This petition was sent to many, but the most interesting contribution came from a former graduate in these words:
“Dear Sir, Enclosed please find $5.00 for the object above described. I would gladly give more, but this amount exceeds my income from all sources for the last four months. Yours Respectfully, Henry David Thoreau”

We never know how far a small contribution wends its way. Thoreau never earned very much money. But he earned the gratitude of millions through his writings about life and Nature in all its moods. His fame will live in the hearts of lovers of the out-of-doors, because of his brave, beautiful interpretations. He gave more than money, as he did to Harvard. He gave himself.

People do not want what we have in our pockets half as much as they want what is in our hearts, If we combine both, we give wisely and well.