, 1881-06-19

~ Ii lelitEu IL Iu{lltI AAIEuGD ulilllQn
aire, who died within the recollection of some
of the oldest inhabitants of this city, that
| when he was once very i'll, he registered +
| VOW that If the good Lord would spare Ill:
life a;i;: restore him to health once more he
would recognize the favor by some liberia
donation. This gentleman, like some Other
| milli0naires, had not given freely of Als
| bounty III the past. aud perhaps the Lord
tIoushtit good opportunity to promote
what tile New Testament, before the re,
vision, characterized as the greatest of nil
virtues. AtalI events, the sick man grew
we'll. His obligation weighed heavily upon
him, and lle purchased a handsome carriage,
| Il span Of horses, and all the proper append
ages Of stylish turnout, and presented
them to his granddaughter. His conscience
was placated 10 I the time being; but. some
time after, lie was down OIL his bed
again, and sick unto death. lie re-
sorted to the stratagem which had
worked SO we'll before, and made 4
solemn pledge that ii the Lord in His great
goodness would spare him once more lie
would certainly. do something very mag
unanimous. The Lord took him at his word,
resume his daily walks. This time lie de-
termined to do something, that would satisfy
the most eyaeting Providence, and he pre-
sentetl his grandchld with S100, ,0GU in bonds.
Will! the prudence natural to man who
had spent long life in accumulutlng money
lie deemed 1t wise to confine even his ctari-
ties to his own family. 4 third time theold
gentleman grew ill, and he renewed his
promises to tha, Lord: but the Lord oyi-
IDENTIFY entertained 4 somewhat different
view Of charity from that which he hau en-
hibitett, and he was permitted to die. When
he was dead somebody asked how much
money he had left, ami somebody else re-
piled that he had left all OF it.
A good many people will believe that the
Lord really had not concerned lli,nself,much
about this old genttcnan's promises, and
that the millionaire would have gone the way
Of all flesh even though lie had distributed
wealth for the public good. Neverthe-
less, one feature Of the legend will he atl-
mitted by both believers and m,believers.
When man dies, be he worth much or lit
tie, he leaves behind him all the wealth he
has al1lassed. lie cannot take any of it will.
hin. Ii he feels III his lifetime that he has
had more than his share, and more than his
teirs-at-law can reasonably exact from him;
if lie has not lived so sordid life as to ex-
tingnisl' every spark of good feeling for his
fellows; If lie has any desire that his name
shall be gratefully remembered by the CON-
,nnnity i'll which he lives; and if he renlel-
bers that he cannot take any part of his accu-
mutations with him when he departs for the
unknown ~and unkn0waDe,-the rich man
ought to find good deal of satisfaction i'll
providing out of Ills abundance: for some
public cause, and the descendants and friends
lie leaves behind ought to take pride in
his generosity and thonghtfulness, It Is not
necessary that the millionaire should be-
queath money to encourage pauperisnl.
There are numerous opportunities for pub
lie eIdowments which do not risk the danger
of misguided charity. There is 10 fear Of
mistake in making donations with the pur-
pose OF cnlarglng and promoting the general |
comfort, education, and civilization Of the /
public Institutions Of learning, works of !
art, and provisions for the enjoyment of the |
daily tollers of this world are and ALWAYS |
will be auxiliary to progress, good order,
peace, and happiness.
The late Eli Bates has shown how rich /
men may provide for distribution Of their I
wealth OH a basis which brings joy to those
they loved and claims gratitude and admira-
hon from the entire community. He renlem-
oered his relatives, his business associates,
afs friends, and his servants, and be-
lueathtd to all substantial evidences of
ITS esteem. But after doing this, though
1ot man OF vast wealth, he was able