Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-11-12
SELF HELP THE CURE
Subscriber Returns 70 the Subject
Of chanb.
GIVING SOME PRACTICAL HINTS
Relief shoaid Re Eztesded Not 60
Mako Faaperi-a Exca-able. Bar
90 Relieve Necessities

EDfroE on Tak HKsAID. The object
Of subscriber is not 70 discuss politics
or the silver question: ar the taiiff OF
snything n the sort Nevertheless he
promised that the repeal Of the sherman
lsw would result In either good OF evil.
he - ssnply Interested IN trying to Ind
. way 20 tide over present emergencies
Tor msa must eat today and tomorros
or starye. while the settlement of these
other problems may and probably will
require much tine.
That there 10 al emergency 40 one
disputes. though as 10 it, degree there 10
a difference OF opinion. A few hours
spent az the headquarters Of the Organ
lied Charity society will convince the
most skeptical that there is y real and
pressing emergency.
IL may seem cruel In time OF want
70 talk OF the duties Of the poor and
unfortunate" But We must remember
that while times Of depression are tenn
porary. habits OF life and social eondi-
tions tend 10 pernanency. Aud no in
telligent person can face the present
Cta14kTltr WAtAA4at - tt1AAaA ~ s~8.sttts
lest. by a careless way Of doing good. he
may do q greater evil
Indeed. we have no right to dispense
charity, no matter how greatly needed.
without seeking method that Will not
expose the recipient to far greater evil
than suffering. and the community TO
permanent curse.
Poverty is hard enough-pauperism
l. "a Hnpnar a.. haA annunh-
but a loss az self Prospect 10 far worse.
Add hence il 10 that the duty and privi-
lege OF dispensing charity 10 individuals
must be connected with the duty OF pro-
tecting society.
RESTORATION OF Self Respect
The community lie gradually. but
surely. hope. being educated up to the
point OF refusing To give without careful
Investigation. Ii is an outrage upon
society to feed a professional beggar-
natures remedy OF suffering Is the only
best food and medicine he can have 10
restore self respect
Much is said and more should DO and
will be said concerning the duty OF the
prosperous. To whom much is given, OF
them shall much De required" No day
passes in which that duty is not empha-
sized In every prosperous home, in every
church. in every charity organization.
in every place of business in our city,
and 50 II should be.
But the unfortunate have thus duties
also, and they should be plainly stated
at the present time. The unfortunate
should be so helped that they may come
out OF this period OF depression with
nothing worse than poverty.
This is not and never will be "pater-
nal government" Ii is a government Of
the people and land of generous
hearted citizens who believe first of all
in self-dependence. This is and should
be Distinguishing characteristic OF an
American citizen.
Many noble hearts in this community
are trying to lind ways and means Of
circulating correct principles upon the
subject before rs. and they have come
To feel that IL Is hopeless except through
the agency Of some organization that
shall protect society from imposition,
and at the same time so dispense our
charities that all real want shall be re-
lieved and an increase OF pauperism be
prevented.
We may be thankful that such an or.
ganization exists IN our city. And 10
should receive the generous support Of
every good citizen. And how shall this
society discharge its immense obliga-
tionsl Its fundamental principle is
self dependence" and never for
a moment is this principle lost
sight of And may il not say TO every
young or unmarried man. Meet your
emergency by going out OF the city into
the farming districts and make yourself
useful until you can do better" Should
IL not say 20 men who are working on
full time, Can you shorten your hours
a little and let the next fellow have a
chance until prospects brighien!"
Should il not say to all societies that ex-
let among Ne. bend your energies
toward each other rather than towards
making demands upon others; an ounce
of self help u worth many pounds Of
other peoples help" Should IL not say
to every unfortunate one. Let me help
you to help YOURSELF"
IL cannot tie out Of place to emphasize
this side OF the question occasionally.
for we should be planning to meet some
thing more than a present and passing
emergency. SUBsCkIBER.