Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1843-03-09

4f Il
The poor are always With VI. aud the
deserving poor. They are 10 be found 10
every nei9hborhood and in every congfe-
CATION. Though they are uncomplsining
and keep iheirdepriyations 10 lbsmssls es,
they are no less deserving Of ouf charities.
And yet because they do moi complain
and solicit the aid Of the benevolent they
are too often passed by, and suffered 70
linger in want Of The very necessaries Of
Tlife. This should not be !; especially 10
e community noted for iis bene violent
spirit. and when exeIiions are. made 10
bes,ow charity where it not needed.
We frequently hear Of efforts beng
made 10 present gifts 10 public men and
to ministers. when their salaties must be
more THAI sufficIens 10 give them a good
support This is no other Than mistaken
benevolence, When the pasier Of con-
gregation receives from eight to tweyle
hundred dollars year, il appears TO US an
injudicious move, 10 circulate d snbscrip-
lion paper to obtain funds 10 purchase a
carpet. TABLETOP any piece d iurniiuie
10 decorate the preachers house. It is
often we hear Of females going round 10
solicit change Of The poor. wholc baaly
make = living. to PURCHASE CLOAK for the
minilier or dress for bis wife. II the
man we're poor, OF his salary inadequate
to support him. we would have nothing
10 say; but still should think il far hetler
TO raise his salary than TO send about sub
scription papers.
In many parishes we have known poor
women TO suffer for the necessities oil life,
while the ministers had large sslariesand
were continually receiving presents from
their congregation. How much more
charitable, 10 say nothing Of The Christi
anity Of the thing, 10 raise something for
the poor Of The church. But they are lost
sight Of, in The affection for Tie pastor
No wonder that pure and undecided ieh
gion--that religion which prompts The
possessor TO visit the widow aud The f.
lhetless 10 their aflictions-is 10 so low
state, when the needy are LOST sight of
Stunned and despised-to heap fayors
upon those who have more than an album
dance.
The objects Of charity are all around us.
They are 10 every congregation; we meet
them 10 every path. But shall they exs
cite 10 US no feeling OF sympathy1 Are
they our iathers--ou our sislersF-our chill
dren-and she'll We close our hearts d
compassion; and pass by them on the
other side Heaven forbid. A day 81
two since. we heard case Of . poor wo-
man who il lingering on the. confines Of
the grave, utterly destitute d the conn
forts or life. while the society 10 which
she belongs has not helped herto iar.h-
| ing. II they know 81 her situation. they
cannot possess ,he spirit Of NE gospel; i
they do not. more is the pity Tor them. ~
Are not members of our fels~ibus societies
bound by the most sacsed obligations IL
look alter each otheri--ic assist each
oihsri AreHihey no. members oi sbs
family Of Chfis,--land Is such united 8,
strong and tepder lies? Lei every mai
do his duty; look after The poor aud ~
sist them. and no. trouble himself abou
those who are above want, and The riph
spirit Of charity Win prevail. Aged mat
IRONS. tonsamFsive men and destitute chil
| dren will have that attention paid u iher
which their circumstances require.
u fPcsHahs Tvitvns