The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-31

Well. the very first duty we owe to the pooris to
GlS up tue sources OF poverty. We must teach
f 3aF own a children and dos see that it is
not only honorable, but it is genteel, to
work and to earn ones own living, and that
every man, woman and child, whether rich or
poor, ought to he industrious and prudent. We
must fight against all forms of immortality,
whether In high or in low places Nothing costs,
and tends to poverty like sin aud selfishness.
There is money enough paid for tobacco and
whisky and hurtful amusements, each year, to
iced the starving millions of earth. The sa-
loon, the gaming house and the variety theater
lake nine-uenths of our poor who are asking
aims. Let society, then, not only set its face
against these evils, but against all customs
and Influences that in any way cause men to
drift toward those grOsser sins. Idleness lays
great burden on society. Therefore, the able
Oodleu ldlers should be made to work, or left to
starve.
The second answer to the question is: We can
pest pest neIp the needy by helping them to help
themselves. 1t is usually much better to give
FOOD or clothing than money. 1t is usually bet
ter TO give work than either 1t is not only a
shame, but IL is a sin for person who is able to
work to depend directly or indirectly, upon the
product of another's muscle or brain. Such q
dependence degrades men, and makes them in
neart and soul, the real enemies of society. We
must respect manhood and one way respect
1t is 10 do best to stimulate the spirit of self
help and the spirit of independence among men.
II is better for us to put tools into mems hands
ottentlmes, than to put bread into their mouths.
Give men chance to work, chance to
I'VE cheaply, u chance to save something, a
chance to maintain their sef-respect and their
manhood.
Instead of Withholding work from the poor at
thls season of the year. by cherishng false
spirit OF economy and doing 1t ourselves, let rs
carefully give it to the poor. We must feed
them some way or other and usually this is the
Let us never forget. however, that there are
many helpless aud diseased and hopeless poor
our city to whom we must go as messen gers of
mercy, for their own sake, for our own sake and
for ChrisGs sake.
The two most important questions TOR one who
| Tn nha RrCf hnr
Shall avoid being imposed upon
py the unworthy2 And, secondly,
now can pest give work, or food. or raiment;
or medicine to those who are really in need and
are deserving!
These two questions are at once and satisfacto-
I1ly answered for us here in Indianapolis by our
Charity Organization Society. AS now constitu-
TED have thoroughly investigated It's system
and its work. am thoroughly acquainted with
1t, ana here publicly give it my unqualified in
d0fsement and support, so far as its legitimate
operations are concerned. If you have money,
or food, or raiment TO give to the poor, give
them through this agency, which deyoTed, self
sacrlnlng men and women are making a power
in our midst. Itkeeps the annoying and dan
gerous tramps from our doors; it re-
1t gives work to the Industrious,
and exposes the idle and vicious, and entirely
cuts off their revenue from the careless easily
dnped. 1t seeks out and promptly relieves the
sick and the helpless; it explores every nook aud
corner OF our city, and makes your charity and
my charity more efficient than it otherwise
could be; and we are thus enabled to go beyond
the little circle of the needy which every one has
in their own company of relatives or acquaint-
ances and to do our part toward relic wing tine
really poor, who do, and probably always Will,
burden society
AS we have, therefore, this grand emporium
lty, through this agency in our midst, let US do
good unto all needy men,
1t is much better for us to give through this
organization than to give independently, for by
this means every dollar of our money goes to
the right place. We have neither the time nor
the facilities TO do what this society can readily
do for us. 1t is as much our duty to see that our
charity Is wOrthily bestowed as to be benevolent
at all.
Let us be charitable, and let us be charitable
to-day. But little while and the Master will /
come and reckon with us, and if we have been
faithful TO His poor He will sweetly say: "Inas-
much as ye have done it unto the least of these
ye have done it unto me-"