The Recording Angel's Report To The Widow* Poem by Beecher Smith

Dear Mrs. Scofield: In answer to your fervent prayers
for your cousin Abner, it is my distinct pleasure
to inform you of the great progress he has made.
His acts of benevolence, generosity and self-sacrifice
have been duly recorded in the book, Golden Deeds of Men.
His salvation is now virtually assured.

When people, not ordinarily so disposed, do acts of kindness
we credit them a thousand-fold more than usual—
on account of the strain. His self-sacrifice for you
has greatly exceeded all our expectations.

Years ago, when he had barely made his first million,
you appealed to him out of desperation for financial
help.
You were in dire straits after the loss of your husband.
Your cousin sent you ten whole dollars!

Many of us in Heaven could not believe it. Others swore
the currency had to be counterfeit. He rose greatly
in our esteem when the money proved to be real.

Two years later, upon the death of your youngest child
you again appealed to your wealthy cousin. He sent
$15.00 to help with the funeral expenses. For this act of
magnanimity, he became the talk of Paradise! Heavenly hosts
proclaimed, “Have you heard what Abner has done? ”
(for he is now affectionately called Abner here) . We watch
with awe and reverence as his philanthropy grows.

All Heaven looks down on Sundays, when Abner drives
to church in his new Mercedes and deposits a quarter
in the collection plate. All together we cheer,
“Another quarter from Abner! ”

However, the crowning achievement in Abner’s elevation
came when you phoned to tell him you had landed a teaching
job across the state and needed $200 to make the move,
he pulled out his checkbook and promptly sent you fifty dollars!

This made the angels and all the blessed souls
in Heaven weep. For what is the death of
ten thousand martyrs, compared to the giving up of
fifty dollars by the meanest miser who ever lived?

Your obedient servant,
Raphael, Archangel First Class



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*
A vignette poem based upon and inspired by a chapter from Mark Twain’s Letters from the Earth.