“How he recognized and acknowledged every man, be he ever so humble, and even women and children.” (March 20, 1814)

I thought of mentioning Matthew 25:34-40 here, but didn’t want to get too Biblical. Christian texts would have been a familiar frame of reference for people in the early nineteenth century, however, far more than they are for many of us today, and I didn’t want to underplay that aspect, either. I hope I’ve struck the right balance!

It’s a very moving text, anyway, describing the works of Christian charity:

34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

This depiction of Charity by Benjamin West (1738-1820; for once I was able to find a contemporary image!) kind of ties in with something you may have noticed about Justin, too: he’s always feeding people.