Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-02-08

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.nos Of philanthropy IL docs not speak sarcas'ical
slecuGsly LOf 10 u-icmpcf but silh calm though
judgment Il hnds class moving the Charities
machinery Which has constituted itself the general adj
wiser ard busybody of the nation that they are the
esurey, yet active minded classes who exercise them
selves so universally in goadiug and prckng up the
much enduring British lon that they make their way
into associations, committees drecorships, public be-
nevoences and nterferences Of every description. ITO
the combination of leisure and activity necessarily con-
fined to the class which is not under the necessity OF
working for its living" Baek,rood thinks "the British
public their and public memorials the great
part Of their public Ornamentatcn, false and true,
valuable amount Of benevolent and charitable works,
and eeaseess din of talk and agitation which goes far
10 exceed ordinary temper and patience. They system
aze and regulate charity out of all charitabenes, and
make dismal busting business out of the affections Of
the poor and the brOtherly feeling of the rich"
We sadly fear that this class has represent
atves on this side Of the Atlantic. Certain we that
the Northern and especially the New England, public
have how BY some influence, been educated into
he idea that charity does commend ITSELF nor it
accompanied with blessing unless it is presented in an
organized FORM And there always to be found mis-
sonaries and readymade phanthropis who will devote
themselves any oharity-some for consideration and
for the honor Of the thing and the position it will
give them among their neighbors 1t cannot be doubt
ell be for moment denied that there are some char
tiles which made effective through efficient
organization But the small charities, between the man
who has something to give ard the unfortunate who
stands terribly in need Of assistance cut Oa
rendered cold cherries and unsympathetc by organza
tons They take the charitably inclined of the sphere
of individual effort and of personal contact with the OBJ
ecs charity and in doing So deprive the liberal soul
from experiencing the full force of the truth that sit is
blessed TO give than to receive" Organized NE
dums for the disbursement Of small charitiessome of
which have in this cty-perform holy mission but
they ought to be regarded standing instead of
individual disbursement Of charities Every should
be his own amOner far possible. He depriyes him
self of great enjoyment who constitutes another his al
mouer We shall never 20 believe that the example
Of him who about doing good" is the best exam
pie We can follow in the works OF beDevoenee which We
find it in our hearts to DO. There was no interpretation
Of agencies and committees and boards of trustees and
examining directors in the mission he fulfilled But be
love and care face face poured out his sympathy and
gave them balm for their wounds aud the oil Of JOY for
their garments OF heagiGesa,
We lind that Rlaclrooi speaking further Of this class
oorrays the pecuarties and the absorbent powers of
their Puritan representatives "There not perhaps
single question, he said raised OF late days concern
ug the improvement and progress OF the people nor an
attempt to reach ont hand OF brotherly kindness by
Way of education otherwise, nor the smallest
local undertaking Of charity, however honestly and
thy or gEstei Ehirh has fet itself bound by men
Who make business OF IT, ana who dock around every
budding effort. Let US grant that they harm;
LEI Us grant that they really in earnest 20 promote
and further the matter they have taken up The motive
by no means changes the Injurious character Of the work
As they Hutter TO and fro with their inmate baols and
subscription lists the human face Of that brother OF ours
down below there, whom alone see obscufes
and clouds over into something abstract of which We
cannot discern the ueaments The phlnhropist stand,
straight between Us, taking down our one page
and L On the other What are We to do the commit
tee OF course viii aAe al proper inquiries, and that
YOUR bounty Is not dispensed uuworhiiy. II is vastly
convenient, to be sure, aud perhaps these cool,
GOOD people, who make it their business, can manage
best after all and 80 the conjunction ialters back
and buys i,e OH with little money And the profes-
son Of benevoleuce-yoluntsry unpaid, unmpeschable
nothing for is abOrs but little
fuss r.ta Importance and the delight OF something to
do-tbrives talks aed cassfes and forms sssocia-
tons gives charity literature S.ds mutually APP
p!ausiye audience and, in short manages to bewider
the traditional woman who imporsoHates ha. virtue
of the very children a. hsr bosom substituting itself in
stead with the newest baby in its useful nngers
aud the applause of crowded meeting, ringing sweet
" ia its accustomed ears"
These suggestions worthy Of consideration, to
how much the consolidating of charity changes the moral
aspect OF this cardinal VIRTUE in bazonng its abroad
10 forgetting the injunction "et not your right hand
Snow what your left hand dOeth in making charity the
material of which public regulations 4ade and per
soua progress assisted We do not mean in giving cur
ency TO these thoughts Of Baekood say that organ
lied charities should not be sustained Far from it, But
70 arouse the benevolent to realizing sense Of how
much better and bow much efficient and how much
more warm and genial the influences of charity will be,
both upon giver and receiver, when both come in
tact We dismiss the subject with text "The Lord
loysth 3 cheerful giyer."