The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-09-07
HELPING THE POOR.

"Tm on begging expedition, said
Mr.. Jonas, as he came bustling into the
counting.room OF fellow.merchant
named Prescott. "And, as you are q
benevolent man, ! hope TO get at least
tive dollars here in aid Of family in
extremely indigcnt circumstances Ny
wife heard Of them yesterday /; and the
little that was learned, has strongly ex.
: cited onr sympathies. So ] an out this
morning on mission for supplies. I
want to raise enough 10 buy them o
ton OF coal, q barrel Of flour, bag OF
potatoes, and q small lot Of groceries" +"
"Do. you know anything OF the fami-
ly for which you propose this charity?"
inquired Mr.. Prescott, with slight
coldness Of manner.
az only know that they are in want,
and that II is the first duty OF humanity
TO relieve them," said Mr.. Jonas, quite
warmly.
"I will not question your inference y
said Mr.. Prescott. ITO relieve the
wants Of our suffering fellow.creatures
is an unquestionable duty. But there
is another important consideration con-
nected with poverty and its demands
upon u.s."
"What is that, prayf" inquired Mr..
Jonas, who felt considerably fretted by
so unexpected a damper to his beneyo.
lent enthusiasm.
"Hos it shall be DONE" said Mr..
Prescott, calmly. ~
"1f a man is hungry, give him bread ;
II he is naked, clothe him." said Mr..
Jonas. "There is no doubt or queG.
ton here. This family, I learn, are
suffering for all the necessaries Of life,
and I can clearly SEQ the duty Of sup
plying their wants"
"of how many does the family con.
sist q asked Mr.. Prescott.
"There Is man, and his wife, and
three or four children"
"Is the man sober and industrious ?"
81 don't know anything about him.
I've had no time 10 make inquiries. l
only know that hunger and cold are in
his dwelling, or at least, were in his
dwelling yesterday"
"Then you have already furnished
relief?"
Temporary relief. Ishouldn't have
slept last night, after what l heard,
without Just sending them o barrel Of
coal, and basket Of proyisions."
"For which I honor your kindness
Of heart, Mr.. Jonas. So far you acted
right. But I am by no means 80 well
assured Of the wisdom and humanity OF
your present action in the case. The
true way to help the poor, is to put II
into their power TO help themselves.
The mere bestowal Of aims is, in most
cases an injury; either encouraging
idleness and vice, or weakening self
respect and virtuous self.dependence.
There is innate strength for every one; /;
let us seek to develop this strength In
the PROSTATE, rather than hold them up
bytemporary application Of our powers,
to fall again, inevitably, when the sts.
tanning hand is removed. This, de-
pend upon IL, Ia not true benevolence.
Every one has ability 10 serve the com.
mon good, and society renders back
Bustenance for bodily life as the reward
Of this service"
"But suppose man cannot get
work." said Mr.. Jonas. "How is he
to serve society, for the sake Of a re,
ward 2" ~
"True charityIwill provide employ
ment for him, rather than bestow
q But IL thereis no employment to
be had, Mr.. Prescott2"
"You make very extreme case.
For all who are willing 10 work, in this
country, there Ia employment"
elm by no means. ready to admit
this assertion
IWell, ven not deal in general pro-
positions; because anything can be as.
Bumed or denied. Let us come direct
TO the case In point, aud thus determine
our duty toward the family whose
needs we are considering. Which will
be beat for them2 Tohelp them In the