The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-05-03


and certain fortunes, than becaufe they are
prompted by motives of genuine benevolence
aud as the greater part of the fubfcribers do not
intereit theTielves in the management of the
funds, or in the fate of the particular objects
relieved, tits not to be expected that this kind
of charity fhould nave any fttikinglv beneficial
influence on the minds of the majority who ex-
ercifed it.
Even in the relief of common begcars, we
hal find that we are more frequently nlluen-
ced by the defre Of getting rid ofthe importr-
mites OF diigulting Object, than by the ple,-
fure of relieving it. We with that it had not
fallen III Our way, rather than rejoice in the
opportunity given us of aiiilting felow-crea-
ture. We feel a painful emotion ut the fight of
10 much apparent miiery; but the pittance
we give does not relieve it. We know that it
IS totally inadequate to produce any iential eff
feet. We know beldcs, that we ihall be ad-
drefied in the fame manner at the corner of
the next street; aud we know that we are La
BILE to the groiieft impoaurcs. We hurry, there
fore, tonetmes by Them, aud fiut our ears to
their importunate demands. We give no more
than we can help giving without doing actual
violence to our feelings. Our charity is in
Tome degree forced, and, like forced charity,
1t leaves no satisfactory imprsflion on the mind,
and cannot, therefore, have any very benetici-
al and improving effect on the heart and af-
feetions.
But it is far otherwife with that voluntary and
active charity, which makes itfelf acquainted
with the objects which it relieves; which feems
to feel, and to be proud Of, the bond which
unites the rich with the poor which enters
into their hontes; informs itfelf not only of
their wants, but of their habits and difpoGtions !.
checks the hopes of clamorous and obtrulye
poverty, with no other recommendation but
rags and encourages with adequate relief the
ient and retiring fufferer, labouring under un-
merited difficulties. This mode of exerciine
our charity prefents a very different picture
from that of any other and ITS contraf with
the common mode of pariih relief, cannot be
better defcribed than in the words of Mr..
Iowniend, in the conclulion of his admirable
d'ilertation on the Poor Laws ssNothinp in
nature can be more difguning than a parifh paw
table, attendant upon which, in the fame OBJ
Jects OF miiery, are too often found combined,
fnuii, gin, rags, vermn, infolence, and abuiive
language nor in nature, can any thine he
more beautiful than the mild complacency of
bcnevo!snce hafeniue to the humble cottage
to relieve the wants of irduftry and virtue, to
feed the hungry, TO clothe the naked, and 70
foothe the forrows of the widow wthhertepder
orphans; nothing can be more pieainr. un,efs,
II be their ipark!ing eyes, their burftine tears.
ard their uplifted hands, the artcfs exprefiions
or unfeigned gratitude for unexpected favours.
Such icenes will frequently occur whenever
men fhal have power to di;pofe OF their own
property"
conceive it to be almoit i,npoflible, that =
ny perion cond be much engaged in fiIch fccnes
without daily making advances i'll virtue. No
exerciie of our affections can have more evil
Gent tendency to purify aud exat the human
mind. 1t Is a'moit exciuGvciy this fpecies of
charity that blefeth him that gives and. in
general view, it is almoG excluliveIv this ipe
cies Of charity which blcileth him that takes
at lcaa it may be allerted that there is no other
mode OF excrciiing our charity, in which large
fnms can be distributed without a Greater
chance of producing evil than good.
The Discretionary power OF giving or with.
holding relief, which is, to certain extent.
vefeed in pa-ifh officers and iuftices, is of We
ry different nature, and will have very differ
ent efeet, from Tie difci limitation which NAV
be excrcitcd by voluntary charity. Every man
in this country, under certain circumstances, is
entitled Ly law to pariih aflifiance and unlefs
his disqualification be clearly proved, has RIGHT
to complain if it be withheld. The inquiries
peceiiary to fettle this point, and alto the
extent Of the relief to be granted, too often
produce ovation and lying on the part of the
petitioner, and afford an opening to Partially
and oppretlion in the over.eer. If the propofed
relief be given, it is ofcouhe received with un-
thankfunefs and if it be denied, the party
generally thinks himielf fevere!y aggrievcd, and
feels refentment and indignation at his treat
ment.
In the difribution of voluntary charity, no.
thing of this kind can take place. The perfon
who receives it, is made the proper fubiect OF
the pleafurabIe fenfation of gratitude and
thoie who do not receive it, cannot pofIibly
conceive themielves, in the iIightett degree, in
jured. Every man has right to do what he
will with his own and cannot, in iutice, be
called upon to render reafon why he gives in
the one cafe, ard obtains from il in the other.
This kind of deiPotic power, effcntial to vo.
lnntary charity, gives the greatef facility to
the Election ofworthy objects of relief, with
out being accompanied BY ANVIL conferences:
and has Further moi beneficial effect from the
degree of uncertainty which mutt necelIarilv he
attached to it. II is, in the hghei degree, i'm.
po,tant to the general happneis of the poor.
that no man lhould look to charity, as n fund
on which he may confidently depend. lie
fhouId be taught that his own exertions, his
own indGftry and forefght, were his only iuf
ground of dependence that ifthefe failed, az
ffance i. his ditrsfcs could Only be the flbi.tf
Of rationa! hope; and that even the foundation
of this hope nuA be in his own good conduct.
and the conicinuinefs that he had not involved
bimfcifin theit difficulties by his Incidence or
imprudeDce.
Thai, in the dGributcn ofour charity, we
are under ftrong moral obligation 10 iprulcate
Al. In Al