The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1878-04-25
CHARITY.

The greatest OF these Is charity"
There is no word in the English Language
which contains such a depth and height Of
meaning as the word Charity. In its more
common Specification it is used to designate
that disposition of mind which invites &c
nlmsgivirg, and he is esteemed n charitable
man who bestows his goods to feed the
poor" But the word il used in n more com.
prehensiyc and exalted sense in the great
Light of Masonry. There We read of giving
al ones goods to feed the poor without
having charity. lie would be thought o
very charitable man who should bestow all
his goods upon the poor. and as a rule such
an one would be possessed with this noble
principle to n wonderful extent. But n man
iuight do this and yet be very uncharitable.
He might do it to increase his fame. in
which case he wouid be much more selfish
han charitable. lie woald lack that fer
vent love Of his fellow beings, which lies at
The foundation of all true charity. And the
world affords many examples of this kind.
instances are not rare where donations are
made in n pompous manner, which reveals
the animus of the donor. And who has not
known people to bestow on strangers with
great liberality when n true charity would
have dictated the beotowal of n small
moiety, and the appropriating of the re,
mainder upon n destitute family at home 1
But to appear generous IN the eyes of the
world, causes many to assume the guise OF
charity, when they possess little of its gen
nine spirit.
True charity is closely allied to disinter
rsted benevolence. IL does not take tins
to catechise the needy, further than to know
whether they are worthy Of confidence, or,
in other words, are not impostors. 1t asks
npf hipp Dhnnf t,nVfN- tEetta9 - garfnrinnfar1
1t knows no nationality, but regards the
race as the children of n common parent,
and, Samaritan like, delights in binding uI
the wound and caring for the Eeedy, even
though their nationality be unknown. And
It heeds the calls of the destitute as quickly
when alone MS when the multitude is pres
ent 10 applaud. Indeed, true charity il
modest and retiring. 1t prefers that ths
left hand should not know what is lone BY
the right.
And it may be said, without Boosting,
that Masonry inculcates such charity. Its
spirit Is the very opposite of that ostenta-
ton which would parade its good works be.
lore the gaze Of the world. 1t would rath
er its ~yotaries should steal away to the
homes Of the poor, to the couch Of the suf.
fering, as quietly US the dew of HEAVIER
falls upon the tender plants, and soothe and
refresh by deeds of love and words of kind,
ness. Aud in these times of parade and
show it does seem refreshing to find somt
of the seeds of true charity terminating
and ~springing up into q healthy growth,
even if unseen and unknown to the busy
bustling world. 1t does afford qualification
to know that one institution at least can dc
good quietly and secretly, and can foster 0
charity which goes even beyond the bestow
ing of goods upon the poor and suffering Of
earth, and provides n place where the king
has to meet upon the same level with the
poor brother who earns q scanty living foi
his dependent family by his daily tod.
Masonry has nc sneers for the poor. n {
frowns for the humble unfortunates Of
earth. 1t does not honor men for theu
wealth or birth, but rather for their mora
worth and intrinsic goodness Of life. Its les
sons are all grand, but none more truly y
than It's lessons OF Charity.
MoRthly.