The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-11-28
Needy ThOrnwelI Orphanage-Wasfcd
Millions Oh Foreign Missions.


/ We see in our exchanges an article which
we copy elsewhere in reference TO the Thorn
we'll Orphanage. 1t is worthy of considcra.
ton by every one having in his heart the
milk of human kindness. There can he no
doubt OF the conscientious Christian charac.
ter of Mr.. Jacobs, and there can be no doubt
that his heart Is fixed on the success nf the
good work which the orphanage was intended
| 10 do. While he makes his appeal alone to
! that class whom he chooses TO characterize as
Goods people," thus mpliedly saying two
Objectionable things in two words, we would
change the statement SO as 10 appeal to kind
hearted people of all sccts and creeds-or OF
no sects or no creeds at all.
| Obecting to the words Goods people," we
would remark that the expression which
would deny the fatherhood to some OF US
seems contrary to the teachings'of our Saw
iour who came not TO save the righteous. but
to call sinners to repentance. All Of us are In
truth Goods people,
We admit that a proper understanding OF
our duty as to charity is one OF the most diff
cult problems that has yet been presented TO
the human mind. 1t presents Itself In so
many different forms, and religious leaders
urge their own particular fads with so much
earneslness, that the average layman Is
scarcely able to form an opinion OF his own,
and therefore he often surrenders at the will
of others. and parts with his hard earned
cash.
If there Is college 10 be built or endowed,
(and there are many needy colleges In this
country, a man of ability is sent abroad TO
{,, ,a cbal, oil 10 Oaply
church. land there are many needy churches
in every part OF the world) the proper and
most effective agent is sent abroad, and often
men with families are induced to give their
money to such agents while denying the
wherewithal TO buy the needed things for the
wife and children.
Northern people send money down South TO
educate, convert and christianze the negro.
The negro In turn feels that he must do some.
thing, and he sends Off his money to "forelgn
missions"
The while people, allow millions Of
people In this country to perish for the bread
of life. while they are spending millions in
the vain effort to chrIstianize China and 9TH
er foreign lands.
We believe the heart always receives
u
charge of what we believe to be our duty, yet,
as far as any practical good ia to result 10 the
Chin aman for the millions which are
wasted on that people, the gold itself might
just us we'll be dropped into The middle OF the
ocean.
The gospel is preached by practical meth
DDS, men are converted by practical effort
and souls are saved by the practical applica'
tlon OF the prescribed rules.
Then, IL we pay our money, why should we
not put 1t where 1t will do the most good?
II such an Institution as the ThorDwell
Orphanage was established In China, and If
boys and girls of the same character, religion
and moral qualities could be found In 1t, the
richness and beauty of the English language
would be inadequate TO tell the story OF its
greatness and goodness.
But the Thornwell Orphanage is at our very
doors. We see and know the good 1t does. II
Is too near us to be clothed with that halo and
glamour that surrounds the objects that are
so far away as TO hide the smaller and uglier
defects, while bringing out all the glorious
beauties which distance always magnifies.
We are not dependent on others to paint
the glorious success of the Thornwell Orphan
age. We see 1t and know 1t ourselves In It's
plain, every day common sense reality. We
see, the barefoot little child and the scant
DRESS aud realize that we have not developed
a painted angel with pig tail, but that our
benefaction has blessed just ordinary clay.
Under inspiration of noble impulses we too
often part with our money. Instead OF lay
Ing up something for old age we remain poor
while we are young and able to work, and
then in old age. we may become the objects
If not of charity, certainly OF discom fort and
sometimes of pity.
Instead Of teaching our people the necessity
Of giving away everything that they have
they should be taught to Icy by something
for "a rainy day." The world says, "a fool
and his money is soon parted" but we do not
know that the expression was intended for
the man who gives his hard earned dimes
and dollars in a useless attempt TO christian
ize foreign lands which resist our claims, and
sometimes treat our missionaries with even
less consideration than we give the Mormon
missionaries who come amongst US, and
whose zeal for their { e will, like that OF
our own missionaries, lead them 10 risk their
lives for the religion they preach.
| It is q mans first duty to provide for his
own household. Charity begins at home.
Then 1t goes out TO our near neighbor. Then
it extends 10 more distant people. But there
ls no charity in giving away money for pur-
pose which can do no good, while our own
children need shoes, and education, and the
high moral training which they could get
from books, newspapers, schools, and in the
higher walks Of life, and which can only be
had by the use Of money.
Instead OF throwing your money away on a
chimerical or visionary scheme to christian
lie China, give something TO the Thornwell
Orphanage We see and know the good
which that institution does.
| Let Mr.. Jacobs and his cOterie not assume G
that he and they alone may claim the exclu-
slve fatherhood Of God. but let him clear his
vision, and raise his sights, SO that he may
see the brotherhood Of all mankind. Let the
unfortunate waits Of high or low degree re-
ceive the benefits of the benevolence and the
Christian teachings OF his noble institution.