The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-10-12
HliooleOurp Ssgrstsr.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1876.
Futile Philanthropy.

Philanthropy is rightfully lauded as a
most commendable virtue. But however
kindly may be the feeling which prompts
us, if it have no effective play it is com.
paratively valueless to mankind. There
is, no doubt, vast amount of generous
sentiment which is not economical for any
efficient purpose. Aimless benevoeDce,
however beautiful as n christian grace,
is Of very little value to any except the
person who exercises it. The expression
of our good wishes goes a step further
than the mere exercise and for that reason
is more effective, rehexively as we'll as
effectively. But if we would accomplish
most for the good of those for whom our
good wishes are felt, there must be more
than the feeling and more than the ex.
preston. There must be effort to benefit
the object of our kindly solicitude. Then
the subjective result is in direct proper.
ton to the effort, while the objective
benefit may or may not be in such pro.
portion These results very often, VIC
might say generally, depend largely for
their efficiency upon the intelligence in
the direction of effort. That is why or
gained benevolencc is most effective and
generally to be approved. Such is the
tendency Of the human mind to yield to
Incidence in thought, even in our better
moods that any well devised and we'll
conducted plan of economiziog and apply
ing philanthropy, which has been careful
ly organized and is honestly administered.
is usually better channel for our benev-
olent contributions than any other.
Prayer accompanying gifts general
ly secures its own answer through
the stimulation of the mental activities.
quickening perception Suggesting meth.
DDS and prompting to acts best calculated
to accomplish the end sought.
Since our destructive fire there have
been kindly regrets enough for the mis-.
fortunes of the unfortunate, expressed
and unexpressed, to materially mend
matters and restore the unfortunate to
fortune, if they were not mere purpose
less, evanescent, and unavailing impulses
the veriest waste Of human sympathy
which ought to have been gathered up
and economical, and rendered effective in
organized effort. 1t is true, generally
speaking, we are unable to offer any con-
siderable contributions Of money or ser.
vice Neither are they needed. A little
brainwork, planning and arranging,
would often be far better than money.
There is an association at Springfield,
in Windsor county, known as the Indus.
trial Works, that furnishes all its members
with constant work at fair wages, and a
pleasant home at small cost The men,
bers are young, just beginning in life and
in joining they become pledged to leave
off all bad habits, to work steadily, be
economical in their expenditures and save
a portion of thor wages. None but such
are taken. Those who do not comply
with the requirements Of the association
are expelled, and all who wish can with.
draw at any time. This association is
meeting with such marked success as to
attract attention.
Those organizers who furnished the
brain work to p Ian this association and
those who devote their energies to make
its operation successful, have done and
are doing more effective service to hui.
mainly than oil the inert philap thropy in
the world. If just such an organzatian
is not needed in this village, might there
not be some other method thought out by
which the now wasted sympathies of this
community could be utilized for the bcne.
fit Of the needy and unfortunate ?