The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-10-23
REV. DIR. wIKEns SERMON


On tho Duty of the Public to tbs Poor OF
the Country.
The subject Of DR.. Rikcr's sermon at
the Fourth street NJ. Z. church, yester-
day morning. was a theme which is oil
great interest to all classes OF people.
Namely, how to relieve the distress OF
the worldly poor, and at the same time
to avoid two difficulties. First, the en-
couragement OF mendlcancy; and, sec
ond. the loss OF the spiritual profit to
the giver and the receiver. The rever-
end gentleman took ior his text.
Proverbs xx-l7, ole that hath pity
upon the Door lendeth unto the Lord"
He stated that the relief OF tho poor
was Il Christian duty, and that no man
could be Christian who disreSarded
this claim. He read portions OF scrip
lure from the Bible, showing the teach
ing of the Christian religion on this
rubiect. He stated that in these hard
times the probability OF much suffering
during the coming winter demanded
Special care in the provision for tn.
wants OF the poor. One OF the chet
difficulties, in his mind, in tho way OF
beneyolence consisted OF tho multi
tude OF impostors that secured living
without work by preyingupon tho good
will OF the people. He cited numerous
instances to illustrate how this COM
muuity is overrun by this class OF peo-
pie, and argued that because OF such
persons some kind OF organization be.
camea necessity, rs in the absence OF
organization these people cannot be de-
tected.
They operate in different parts o! the
city, all claiming to have Just arrived,
when they have been living oil the
people for many days. Now, II the
charity OF the city were caused to How
through some one channel, all such
cases could be Immediately detected.
When they come to a house they can
be directed to this center, aud a con-
tinuous practicing Of their art will be-
come impossible; and ii they are really
needy, help will be afforded.
Children are often sent begging with
piliiul stories. and the proceeds OF their
efforts 90 to support unworthy people.
lie recommended the formation OF an
association OF charity, having u good
sized room, one mart Of which should
have u cheap coffee and lunch counter.
Another room should possess cots, where
homeless man could BIO kept over
night. All cases appealing for aid
should be reported to the manager OF
such IN institution, who should person.
ally, or through an assistant, investigate
the claims in each case, aud ii worthy,
reiieye the immediate necessity, and
then refer them to some family OF good
people in tho neighborhood who would
look after not only their temporal, but
spiritual wants, and thereby secure the
higher benefits OF Christian benevo-
lenCe. u.
lie took the ground that the relief OF
the physical wants was the smallest
part of the work to be done III such
cases.
DR.. Riker said that free dispensary
could DO operated in connection with
such scheme to the very greatest adj
vantage. 1t would not tako much
money to create home not only for
impoverished Wheeling, but worthy
strangers room whore Il man could
spend tho evening in comfort sur.
rounded by Christian influences, and
where he could get cup Of coffee and
lunch and clean bed for nominal
sum.
It is his opinion that the lower room
OF the Tabernacle, the muniiicent gift
OF MIR. Hearne, to the people OF Wheel
ing, would DO admirably adapted TO
such purposes. And the work thus
done, would be powerful means oil CO.
oncration with the work for which the
Tabernacle is designed. The city mis-
slonary in charge oil the Tabernacle
could superintend this work, and it
would give him means Of access to
scores OF homes which the Tabernacle
is destined to bless. Such u method
would be vastly moro effective and. in
the end, less expensive. than indiscrimt-
nate, general, and often unworthy
charity.