Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1888-03-24
ORGANIZED SUCC0R
PRAYERFUL ECONOMY IN
CHARITABLE METHODS.
Frantic Efforts TO Help the Poor.
Hedging ON Eternity -Organi.
cations Of the Truly Good.
Very Eventual Event,
ualities-Cheap.

The good people of this world are
moro or less experienced as to the
misery which is omniprcsent upon
our fair planet, more particularly in
these regions blessed by an aIranced
civilization.
1t is, of course, kind of the qo0a
people to be thus exercised. And
how do the good people manifest
their extreme solicitudc for the gen
eral wrctchedncss which starcs at
them, look where they may?
Well, the keen regard for Others
woes, finds divers modes of express
sion, depending somewhat on the
cage, sex and previous condition" of
the monrners.
1t is not unusual to witness some
of those whose hearts are rent with
grief at the spectacle of want and
distress about them, to apply them
selves assiduously, in the potent
posture of prayer, to supplicate high
heaven for the relief of their unfor-
tunate fellow-creatures.
AS to the efficacy of this mode of
procedure, it is pardonabe, in view
OF the past, to entertain some doubts.
However, if we for a moment put
aside the quest for results. that is,
material results, we shall find great
cAcelicncy i'll tilis mcti,v,i.
For instance, nsthetically consid-
cred, can there be aught more sub
timely beautiful than to witness
throngs of fair and stately women
and some men-in the pathetic post
ure of religious cntrcaty, petitioning,
in mood of sweetest self-abncgation,
the great uah'aomajle to still the cry
Of hunger in some unthinkable and
economical manner? Base must he
be and VOID of soul, who looks un-
moved on such a scene as this.
Glad are we that all is not dark
as yet within US. Glad that we can
get JOY in the truly beautiul-re-
splendent in the glamour of an ex-
huberant loyelncss. Thrice glad
that no sordid thought of efficacy
begrims this radiant picture with the
sombre daubs OF beastIy reflection.
Yes.
But not only has this method val
ue from an aesthetic point of view;
for, gauged by an economic standard
it must appear of priceless worth.
No reckless giving of aims, no i'm
provident disbursement of the good
things of this world is here involved:
only a few short, pithy sentences
such as "Heaven help the poor
"Heaven succor the distressed
and the deed is done. TO be sure,
the DISTRESSED" are not invariably
succored nor The "poor' perceptibly
helped; but then this is not the fault
Of the method, of course not.
We should remember that the
"mills of the gods grind slow" etc.
Peradventure after the lapse of many,
many years, the devotees to this
method will work out grand results.
This is the proper view to take of
this sublime process of eliminating
poverty from the world.
Why cayil, then, because of lack
of immediate results?
Let us rather be filled with admir-
alton for its beauty, commend it for
its cheapness, bear patiently its
sluggishness and be hopeful OF its
eventual certainty.
But there are other methods which
the good people avail themselves of,
in their frantic desire to make things
Il tritle more pleasant for the unhap-
py poor. One of these methods is
CHARITY"
The charity method has many
phases and, while not AS cheap as
the method mentioned above, has
many commendable features.
There are various organized chari
ties. so-calle1. a list of all of them il