The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-03
coon MEN GIVING AIMS.

GOOD MEN GIVING AIMS.
The success OF the charity ball at
the Peabody last night was a high
tribute TO the business men Of Men,
phis, who, weary and tired after the
days labors, gave their money and
their time to alleviate the suffer-
ings Of humanity. There was large
concourse Of people present, consid-
ering the iRolement weather, and it
was not surprising that everybody was
ha2py-tappy in meeting each other
socially, and still happier in the
thought that they were contributing
to the happiness Of the suffering poor.
The night was cold and bleak, aud the
drifting snow told Of the sufferings in
the novels Of poverty without fire,
food or raiment which those present
had met TO alleviate. There was feast
ing and dancing were happy, be-
cause they we're making others happy.
There is nothing on earth more sub
line than men and women meeting in
social intercourse, regardless Of wealth
or, for objects OF charity. Mohammed
was a false prophet, but he left behind
him moral teachings which can
be profitably studied and prac-
ticed even in this boosted era
OF civilization. The effoitI to
make the charity ball grand sue.
cess, called 10 mind one of his most
beautiful allegories-au elegant tribute
to the noblest OF all virtues-charity.
"Wheu God created the EARTH" said
Mohammed, 1t trembled and shook
until he put mountains upon 1t to
make il firm. Then the angels asked,
20, God, is there anything of thy
creation stronger than these mount
ains?' And he replied, Iron is
stronger than the mountains for 1t
breaks them And is there anything
stronger than iron?' And the reply
came back, Fire is stronger than iron
for 1t melts IT, But is there anything
stronger than fre2' Yes, water quen-
ches fire. is there anything, o
Lord, stronger than water?' And
again the answer came, The winds,
for they overcome water, and put It
in notion But is there anything
still stronger and the still small voice
replied, Yea, good man giving aims.
II he gives with his right hand
and conceal with his left, he shall
overcome all things Every good act,
said Mohammed, in applying this al
legory, is charity. Even your smiling
happily in your brothers face is char
ity. Your putting a wanderer on the
right road is charity. Your removing
stones and thorns from your brothers
road Is charity. Your whispering
words Of sympathy to the distressed,
or pouring oil in the wounds OF the
maltreated, is charity. A mans true
weslth, said the prophet, in oonclu-
sion, is the good he does In this world
to his fellow men. When he dies the
people will Wonderland how pro-
phetic this is Of even the afternoon OF
the nineteenth century-"what prop
erty has he left behind him2" But
the angels who bend over his grave
will ask, "what good deeds hast
thou sent before thee2" Thus be.
lieving, the people of Memphis
are striving to unlock the hearts Of hui
mainly and TO perform deeds Of benev-
olence and mercy. Our charitable So
cleties are many, but tho charity
ball last night did more for the POOR
than either one Of them has done f)r
months. For the future charity balls
will become an annual custom with
the people Of Memphis. As an army
is divided into corps, divisions, brig
ades, regiments ald companies, 30
should the grea. charity army be di-
vided into separate organizlti ons and
associations, all marching under the
same banner for the relief of suffering
humanity.