The record-union., 1891-04-06
PAUPERIsM AND THE CHURCH.

PAUPERIsM AND THE CHURCH.
1t is significant and most encouraging
and pleasant fact that the question of
charity methods and the reduction of pau
perism are discussed more and more from
day TO day, and with increasing clearness
and understanding. 1t testifies to the
rapid approach of period in which will
obtain conditions all humanity desires.
Among the numerous essayists upon
these topics, and to which the RECORD
UNION has long given much attention,
are Professor Ely, in the North Amer
icdlt, and Rev. DIR. Rainsford, in the Fo-
rum.
The latter essayist repeats a truth that
is augmenting in intensity and more and
more impressing itself upon the people.
that in helping the poor there is an i'm
mense amount of wasted energy, great
deal of misdirected and positively hurt
full enthusiasm, and much good ammuni-
ton thrown away, in most of the present
methods of dispensing aid. This being
established to the satisfaction of the es-
sayist, and it being made clear that re-
form should and must come, he proceeds
to consider methods of attainment. But
after great deal of unnecessary verbiage
he arrives at very much the same con-
clusion reached by General Booth, and
made clear by Rabbi Krauslxof in his es-
say on environment and poverty. That
is TO say, as the RECORD UNION has held
throughout the discussion, and thinks it
can briefer state than has DIR. Rainsford,
we are to reduce pauperism by bettering
the environment of poverty.
System is to take the place of indis-
criminate giving; helpfulness is to sup
plant dependence, and method and unity
of action among all chalitabl forces are
to make the givers not only more benefi-
cent but the recipients less dependent.
Poverty is not to be wholly uprooted, but
its conditions will be reyolutionized.
One of the most potent forces to these
ends is sanitary regulation; filth and
pauperism are twins, and severed, the
latter survives but short time Hud-
died masses will, under regulation, be-
come less and less numerous, until So
ciety will cease to tolerate in wealth the
letting of tenement houses to be human
hives. Air and light will be let into the
dark corners and narrow ways, and will
drive out sloth and willful dependence.
Of course while change in environment
viii accomplish much it will not do all.
AS DR.. Rainsford well puts it there must
be cooperating force among the poor
themselves, but he goes too far when he
declares that the church, and it alone,
must be depended upon TO develop it.
There can be no objection to preaching
that doctrine in the church. Just so far
as the church is staff for the support of
those who without itwould totter; Just so
far as orthodoxy is an anchor for those
who need it, such preaching is well. But
Dr.. Rainsford must not say to all others
in the world that they may as well with
hold their hands in this developing pro-
cess, as they can do nothing to develop
characterful self-helpfulness among the
poor. Indeed, he admits that private
philanthropy and the State, and society
as a social force, can do great deal; still.
while he sharply rebukes the church in
large cities for being by it's outward
methods repellent to the poor, he insists
that when it is converted TO its duty. it
and it alone can evolve the cooperative
force the poor must contribute to the bet
terment of poverty conditions. This he
holds because the church alone teaches
the doctrine that 'men should draw near
TO each other, forgetting and ignoring
those things that for short time made
them differ"
But is the forward movement to halt
until the church in the great cities is in
the spiritual condition to work? Is the
world to accept the dnntrinn that .hn .'..'n