The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1889-06-13
RROTHERLY KINDNESS.

less charters That some people nave
sympathetic natures and are unselfish
enough to work for the good of
others, but it is only when some
great calamity comes that there is
demonstration given of the existence
of the same noble feeling in nearly
every breast.
Why, then, is it not more often
manifested?
Great as have been the losses and
sufferings at Johnstown, individuals
have suffered as much before and
their cries of distress have been
passed unheeded by some of the peo-
pie who are quick to respond to the
call for help made by the survivors
of the recent flood. The loss of fam
lily and fortune that the individual
sustains is the same to him when he
stands alone as when he has thou
sands of fellow-sufferers. Yet the
individual whose case stands alone
finds few to listen to his tale of dis
tress, fewer still to help him.
The reason for this apparent alb:
sence of brotherly feeling from so
many breasts in the course of ordi
nary events, and its proved presence
when great calamity overwhelms a
whole community, is that in the
single case there is more or less doubt
as to the need for help, a thought
that some one nearer to the sufferer
should come to his relief; but when
a whole town is Eept away, thous-
ands of its people drowned and the
survivors left without means of sub
sistence, there is no doubt of the need
for help, certainty that though all
should do their share it would not
be enough to wholly repair the
damage.
But if this be true, as occasion
gives proof, then it appears that the
brotherly feeling of sympathy, the
generous impulses, are far more
widespread and general than they
are usually supposed to be, and that
it only requires proved necessity and
certainty that the relief given will
not be abused to greatly multiply the
number of charitable people doing
good day by day, as some already
do. Such a reflection, while it gives
one a better and higher view of hui
mainly than that customarily held,
suggests the thought that organized
effort should be made to realize at
all times, on little as on great occa-
sions, the fruits of such brotherly
feeling. 1t is latent in many breasts
and only stirred to activity by wide
spread distress and tales that harrow
the feelings, but might be made act
i've on lesser occasions if mears
should be taken to bring home to
the individual the need of charitable
work at all times.
That the feeling of duty to Join
in relieving distress is growing is
shown by the spontaneous heartiness
of the response made when Chicago,
Memphis, Charleston, Jacksonville
or Johnstown call for aid. Contrib
utors to the funds that helped to re-
lieve those cities when they were in
distress have learned the truth of the
saying that ''it is more blessed to
give than to receive" and others
have profted by their example to
learn the same lesson.
1t is now an established custom
Tor the communities Of the United
States, at least, to help each other.
They have no paternal government
to watch over and care for them.
and must be in the best sense BROTH
ers to each other. So strong is this
feeling that in some cities permanent
relief committees have been organ
lied. They are skilled in their du-
ties, usually have small balance of
funds to their credit, and when some
sudden calamity falls upon some dis
tant community they are ready like
an armed guard for instant action.
The mere existence of such a COM
mittee, that has established reputa-
ton for wise administration of its
trust, aids in the work of obtaining
funds, because it establishes in the
minds of men the only two things
needed to arouse the latent instinct
of brotherhood conviction that
help is needed, the assurance that
contributions will>not be squandered
Or miss their aim and purpose.
Apart from the good which such |
great public charities do for the suf-
ferers, they benefit all mankind by
The development of a brotherly feels
ng of sympathy with those in dis