The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-01-21
Monday. January a.. 1878.
Thrice Blessed Charity.

absolute dispair, and inspired new hopes,
out of which grew determination to live
and an energy which renewed the struggle
fer further existence. But it is not all OF
charity to merely give aims. However
worthy even this may be, it is more the mo-
tive than the act which constitutes its
highest virtue. The actual motive, the
sincere desire of the heart, is known only
to the Searcher of all hearts; it is not tor
NAH to harshly judge his fellow man IN
regard to this, but to accept the Offering
with thanks and to rejoice in the gifts be-
slowed. There's loving and true charity in
this;
Not 10 pause, when at my door
"A suffering brother stands,
ITO ask the cause that made him poor,
''Or why he aid demands
First give relief,
Then gently say, go brother,
''Sin no more.n
Humanity speaking, each for himself
is the sole judge Of the amount and the
method of his benefactions, and it is not
the province of others to say that more
might have been done, or that it should
have been done differently. To the truly
benevolent the real consideration is not q
captious question Of others motives, or a
studied detraction of their charitable
efforts, but an earnest desire to know what
remains to be done and how the desired
end can best be accomplished. With
charity Of speech and'charity Of thought,
it is a pleasure to welcome any agency
which is designed to aid the suffering aud
the destitute. The field of human pbilan.
thropy is wide enough for the instrumen-
talties and the labors of all who are char
itably inclined. All, therefore, which has
thus far been undertaken, or is contem-
plated to be done for the relief Of the
poor of our city, is heartily to be com
mended and not to be consciously de-
cried. Those whose benevolence finds ex-
preston In the form of calico charity
ball will deserve credit for all the good
which may result therefrom, and it is our
sincere hope the ball may be largely
attended, and pecuniarily a success. Any
legitimate means which swells the relief
fund should be gratefully accepted, and
properly acknowledged. In the midst OF
existing want, and when such an unusual
number of persons are calling for help, it
is not wise to refuse the bounty of any,
or to prescribe the amount, or the
manner of its pTesentation-if so be that
any arc willing to give, accept the prof
fered largess-the matter Of conscience
with each individual as to whether he has
done oil that he ought, or as he ought, is
with him and the God who made him. Sc
tar as charity pertains to individual action
1t Is purely personal, and not to be called
IN question by the judgment Of his fel
lows.
But as 1T is not all of life to live" SO i
Is not all.of charity to bestow alms-tha
charity which is akin to the Divine Low
has broader and deeper significance, .
hlghersand uobler purpose. The honorabl
pursuits Of legitimate business aud tn
accumulation Of wealth by energy and we
directed efforts are among the commend
able and worthy objects OF human life, bu
the fair name of enterprise aud frug;
economy cannot saDctify mere lust of gol(
nor CLOAK indifference to the wants {
humanity. Whether or not the acquisitio
and use OF wealth be manly or miser
depends less upon the outer manifestation
than upon the inclination and dispositio
Of the man-less upon an occasional sho
of liberality and good will than upon a
habitual performance Of generous al
charitable acts. a glowing spirit
generosity and love of humanity f,
hUmauity's sake are chiefly requisite f,
the exhibition Of philauthropic purpos
and the benefaction of mankind.
The pretence Of charity is easily stimuli
ted, but when men who have grow
opulent from plethorie usury shake the
heads with dubious gravity, and talk lii
philosophers about the regular paths
industry to the poor who complain of il
digence and want, Of what avail is the
wisdom or their solid admonitions to hi
who is IN need, if they refuse or neglec:
put hun in the way Of treadiug some pa
Of industry by which he may mend |
broken fortunes and improve upon l
poverty.
In times like the present, when i
dustrial pursuits are depressed, when col
mercial distress is unparalleled aud wiz
spread, when able bodied and willing N,
who have been accustomed to steady al
regular employ ment are now unemploy
and destitute, no ordinary means
charity and no provisional schemes of tel
porary reIiel afford any adequate rene
for the causes which have produced Il
abnormal condition OF affairs, or give a
substantial aid TO honest industry.
To view the subject 10 its proper liz
let US look close at home-not merely
the very INDECENT or pauper class-but
those who, in ordinary times, live the |
and maintain the position of respectful
industrious, and worthy men-to men "
are perhaps the owners Of a house ana
whose industry and economy sufiees
dlnaTiiy to support themselves aud fan,i.
IN comfortable coudition-men OF I
average intelligence and responsibility
their fellow citizens, perchauce in so
instances OF more than ordinary intelligc
and culture, temperate and sedate in III
habits, peacabe and law-abidinp cltize