Morning journal and courier., 1891-01-08
THE LUXURY OF GIVING.
How Daniel Hand Enjoys Being His
 Own Admfni stratOr.

own Administrator.
 Rev. B. G. Northrop in letter quoted by the New York Evangelist writes as follows:
 "The wisdom of becoming one's own executor is happily illustrated in the recent experience of the philanthrophist, Daniel Hand At ninety years of age his bodily infrmities are now great Unable to walk, confined to his room for nearly year, and to his bed for months, except the two hours devoted daily to exercise in rock ing chair, isolated from friends by extreme deafness, though naturally genial and social, his mind is still clear and sunny. In spite of his disabilities he enjoys life, and yet has overcome all dread of death. His heart is fixed, and his Christian hope unfaultering. He is habitually grateful that he was led to give over million of dollars to the American Missionary associa- tion.
 'In 1888 it cost him struggle to change ng-cherished purpose of giving his property by legacy which had been care fnlly prepared, but in the many interviews have had with him by his request during the last eight years he never seemed to me so happy, so truly joyous,a as since he made that great bequest. He has been liberal before but never until now has he learned so fully the luxury of giving while he could still see the fruits of his benevolence. The idea of dispensing blessings to others on so broad scale, the effect of which shall last for ages, has opened to him new source of enjoyment While he is modest and unassuming, he often says, I live and move and have my being in the working of the Hand fund already begun and to continue | thousand years.'
 "Mr. Hand knows well the needs and l perils of the colored people in the south. | The question which often recurred to him | six years ago was, "Have I selected the | right agency? Shall I appoint board of trustees like those of the Slater and Pea body funds, or shall I select the Freed mans bureau?' But in spite of all his at tempts to divert his choice to other chan | nels and objects, the American Missionary association grew in his confidence, because it was the first to work in the southern field after the war, holding the strategic points there, with an experienced band o1 officers in the north, and having the neces sary plant already established in tn. south, and therefore promised to disburs' his fund most wisely and economically He has often said to me: That money il
 safe. It is in good hands. Never for one moment have l had any regret that tn gift was made when it was, and as it was If the whole fund was returned to me to
 day-and am glad it can't bel woult
 not touch it.
 "When at the request of MT. Hand
 lately visited the secretaries of the associ
 ation in New York to communicate hi
 wishes in regard to certain details he sai'
 with characteristic modesty, Please tel
 them have no right nor wish to dictate o
 direct; their judgment is better than mine
 but offer these suggestions for their con
 sideration, and I shall be fully satisfe
 with their decision.' MT. Hand has neve r. made display of wealth. Deeming ez travagance waste, sin, and frugality
 duty, he has long preached and practices
 wise economy, that he may be able t
 give the more into the treasury of tn l Lord"