above.

"As good doctrine for them as for you," was replied. "Possession
must come before dispensation. It is not the receiver but the
dispenser who gets the higher blessing."

The rich man shrugged his shoulders, and looked slightly annoyed, as
one upon whom a distasteful theme was intruded.

"I hear that kind of talk every Sunday," he said, almost
impatiently. "But I know what it is worth. Preaching is as much a
business as anything else; and this cant about its being more
blessed to give than to receive is a part of the capital in trade of
your men of black coats and white neck-ties. I understand it all,
Mr. Erwin."

"You talk lighter than is your wont on so grave a theme," answered
the friend. "What you speak of as 'cant,' and the preacher's
'capital in trade'--'it is more blessed to give than to receive, are
the recorded words of him who never spake as man spake. If his
words, must they not be true?"

"Perhaps I did speak lightly," was returned. "But indeed, Mr. Erwin,
I cannot help feeling that in all these efforts to make rich men
believe that their only way to happiness is through a distribution
of their estates, a large element of covetousness exists."

"That may be. But, to-day you are worth over a quarter of million of
dollars. I remember when fifty thousand, all told, limited the
extent of your possessions, and I think you were happier than I find