New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-02-27
JUDGE COLLENS, LECTURE.
1.-THE History of Charity.o

1.-THE History Of Charity"
A large and appreciative audience graced
the fine hall of st. Alphonsus last night, on
the occasion of the lecture of Judge L.
Wharton Collens. The Garden District was
out in all it's force and beauty, and was
strongly reinforced by detachments from
other quarters of the city.
The subject chosen by the lecturer was
"The History of Charity" and the proceeds,
which, judging from the number present,
must have been quite handsome, we're APP
propriately devoted to the benefit of the
Prison Missions.
The lecturer did not pretend to descant
upon the beauties of this great Christian
virtue but would attempt to trace its pro-
gress since the days when its divine pre-
cepts were first inculcated, in as condensed
form as could only be admissible in the
space allotted for lecture. He proceeded
to show that the letter of the precept ex
listed in the earliest patriarchal admoni-
tons, and only awaited the great expounder
of truth to evoke the spirit. A general
review Of the ancient Jewish customs,
which inculcated charity as bounden
duty, and prescribed set forms and
seasons for its performance, was both inter
esting and instructing. Till the ad vent of
our Saviour, the light of charity was but a
dim glimmer amid the darkness that sur
rounded it-but shadowy precursor of the
bright reality realized through the ex-
amples and teachings of Christ. Charity
comes only from God, inspires US to feel
that all charitable acts are Gods own acts,
| and that the human element Is but the
willing and grateful agent. The advent of
| charity in its full divinity was IN the birth
| OF our Lord, and its realization III his death
upon Calvary.
| The first and greatest work of charity was
| the mission. What greater sacrifice could
| any one make than to face all peril, igno-
| rance and credulity to teach the imperisha-
| BILE doctrines of our Lord! The lecturer
| pictured the progress OF charity under the
| teachings of the missionaries throughout
| the then known world in spite of the seem
| inglv insurmountable objects which opposed
| them at every step. Savage nations came
| after, and though unsubdued by armies and
the horrors of war, finally succumbed to the
teachings of the apostles of the Prince OF
Peace. The names of numbers of the
sainted heroes who had carried civilization
and Christianity to the uttermost parts OF
the globe were mentioned, but the lecturer
felt himself compelled to cease mention
that might be deemed invidious where there
were so many hundreds more.
Well may it be said that the missions
supply the brightest pages in the history
of charity. He spoke OF the brotherly sur,
render of possessions by the apostles OF
Christ as the effect of charity flowing oil
rectly from the heart OF Jesus. The carrier
disciples attended to the wants OF thell
brethren. both at home and abroad They
did not wait for the beggar. but sought ou'
helplessness and misery, and relieved i
wherever found. People wondered at this
disinterestedness The religions OF the day
gave no warrant or foundation Tor suci
self-sacrihce for the good OF others. Not
long after the Christian sect had become
numerous, fearful plague oversprea'
the Roman empire. and then th'
Christians, though hunted to the scourg'
or TO death, organized and took upon them
selves the care Of the stricken, whethe
pagan of Christian. The visitation o
prisons was also inaugurated. and the phys
zeal and moral welfare of the untOrtunat
; inmates assiduously attended to.
Referring to the progress OF charity unde
the influence Of the Church, the lecture
l spoke of the first DEGREES of Constantine Il
f favor of and for the protection OF slaves
and looking toward the final abolition q
| slavery. He followed the history OF shaver
l and the progress of emancipation throug
the precepts of charity as taught by tn
, | Church.
E The rise and progress of mouastic institr
tions and orders. each of which took upo
: itself some particular form of public cha'
i ity. was deliberately reviewed, and the SUI
e preston of the monasteries characterized a
. an insane innovation. an act OF lnsatlat
{ ambition which cut off the support OF tn
poor and paralyzed the usefulness OF tn
wise and good. The attempt TO supply tn
: place of charity by means of leglslatlo
;, proved horrid failure, but the free chart
of the people. as exhibited in many way:
h had indicated the virtue and divinity
! charity.
The lecture was long. the subject bein
treated in an eloquent and mastery maj
ner, to which it is impossible, in this brie
notice, to do scarce a 1.-THE of Justice. III
language of the lecturer was graceful an
brilliant his delivery clear and intelhgibl'
a claiming the attention of the audlenc
t throughout, many of the higher flights {
e eloquence OF vivid description being hear
e lily applauded.