New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-12-21
THE PROFIT or CITING.

At certain ScdNOlS OI inc year, anu lHIS ~
one of them, We hear much of the duty OF
giving. i Is, beyond ali doubt, duty and
duties are things of which men generally need
70 be reminded. Perhaps on tina. very account
their performance is the less agreeable. II -
casy to fortiy ones self against appeals that
involve sacrifice The comfortable old adage
about charity beginning at home is brought
quickly into service. Other and conflicting
dutieS are numerously called TO mind, and
census is taken of all the generous deeds done
within period extending back aS far "a
memory will 90. This process rarely Fails OF
the result intended. \ long and tattcling list
of credits is entered upon the account with
duty. II seems 10 be far more than satisfied.
There is another and a pcaSantcr way OF
looking at the matter which. if it be equally
selfish has at least this greater merritt gives
full swing 10 generous instincts and affords
practical advantage to the needy. If expert
cncc teaches anything. l. teaches that boneVo-
lcncc is profitable, that it brings rewards, not
merely moral bat financial. The men OF
fortune who are known as philanlhropiStS, men
who have not waited until they were dead ana
done with earthly values. but who have Occll-
pied their most active years OF HE with ploJ-
Gets for the alienation Of human misery ana
the increase of human Neutrality-suspicious., with
ont exception these men have been Weather
mt the close of their lives than nj any time
before. They have not all been distinguished
aS huancicrs, either But the very traits OF
character that have led them TO give freely
have seemed 10 discover TO them opportunities
TO increase their wealth. \ liberal man is cS-
IL. 1 . ,tfyl,s
which enable him 20 see the wants of humanity
and Ia induce him 10 acts Of relief bring also
before him many sides Of business situation
and predispose him 10 look ut things from many
points of view. This does not imply that
selfish and INSCRIPTIONS mcn do not often az
conplish IN the boarding of fortunes what
would be impossible 10 the just and generous.
II assumes merely that bencyolcnce and broad
minded wisdom 20 naturally together, and that
acts Of wISo charity partake OF the nature OF
investments. and give Iich returns in money
not less than in happiness and peace.
IL is noticeable that the number Of men who
are employing their wealth for The bctterment
If mankind during their own lives and whle
they are able personally 10 direct It's employ
n,cut. j. all ia" Will" Increasing. This may
he due 20 the fact that wealth il becoming moro
general, but il Is agreeable 10 think u due in
large part also 10 the spread Of education and
Of tho democratic idea. Tho beauty aS well ~
the truth OF the democratic belief that men
are brothers. and that differences in station
and in morals. TOO. are differences of circum-
stance and condition. i Imprcssng itself upon
greater numbers of people all the while, and
- carrying with IL lis inevitable lesson of per
,onal responsibility II it DO true. the profit
- well rs the duty of mutual hcipfulneSS is
plain and men arc best employed IN their own
interest and IN the common interest Of their
race Wnen they ara contributing 20 the wei
f.nc OF others. They are doing that which in
clcascN values promotes social order and gives
security 20 property. They are removing the
temptations to all excuses of political disorder
/ and Of common crime.
! Iho>" are suggestions that come appropriate
| ~ upon the "hallowcd and gracious" time
/ shortly 20 bee celebrated They appeal urgently
| IN behalf Of tho vast multitude 20 whom Christ
mas las not the merry significance that wealth
and comfort give II. The practical profit OF
| investing a little IN their happiness is well
/ worth testing