The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-03-31
Charity in China.

Almost every large town and district
has its asylums for the aged and the or
phans, and establishments for the relief of
the poor, A Chinese work on these and
similar institutions has lately been present
ed to the London Charity Organization
Society, and its pages afford very good
insight into the scope and direction OF
Chinese charities. The author gives an
account Of some of the existing charitable
institutions, and lays down rules for the
guidance Of those who may be desirous of
establishing similar ones. His object in
50 doing is no doubt highly to be com
mended, but his views are precisely those
to combat which the Charity Organization
Society was especially established. In-
discriminate largesse to the poor, and a
widespread distribution of food and raj.
ment to those in want, are the ruling
maxims which guide his recommendations,
on the principle that to relieve the poor,
no matter whether the object be worthy
or unworthy, is sacred duty.
The first charitable institutions to which
he refers are not precisely similar to any
that exist among ourselves. EARNS Of
righteousness" he calls them, and he illus
trates their objects by referring to two
such farms which were established by o
Mr. Fan in the Prefecture of 500 Chow
Foo. The said Mr.. Fan being desirous of
beneftting his relations, purchased two
blocks of land, and by deed covenanted
that the produce arising from them should
be distributed either in money or kind
among his kindred forever. Each house
hold was daily to receive certain quanti-
ty Of rice per head, and in the winter a
suit Of warm clothing was to be distributed
in the same way to every member of the
family above ten years of age, and half a
suit--whatever that may mean--to all
children between that age and five
A male relative, on his marriage, was to
receive thirty strings of cash (equal to
about thirty dollars) and if he should
enter the bonds of wedlock second time,
further gift Of twenty strings; but Wild
ows were not to be encouraged to marry
again, and so, though twenty strings were
to be given to each maiden at her we'd
ding, she was to be portionless if, after
having become a widow, she were to take
a second husband. Liberal contributions
were also to be given toward the expenses
of burying members of the family, and
provisions were made to meet any sudden
or unavoidable emergency which might
present itself
Orphan asylums are only prominent
among institutions of which the author
writes, and his history of these establish
ments furnish very plain testimony of the
recognized and habitual existence in many
parts of the country of the crime of infan-
ticide. Colleges, schools, societies for the
preservation of life, for the burying of the
dead, for relieving the destitute, for en-
couraging husbandry, and for many other
charitable objects, are fully described and
however mistaken may be the means which
are, in most instances, employed, yet the
very existence ofsuch institutions is enough
to correct the many erroneous i'm pressions
now existing, and to stamp the Chinese as
a civilized and not unmerciful people, as
they have been supposed to be.