The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-04
An hMIABLE CHARITY.

thing I'm the world. When educational IN
stitutiors shall no more be required. nor
hospitals. nor orphan asylums, nor doc
tors, nor lawyers: when health and as
surance and peace shall be established
and the human race, in perfection, shall
occupy the whole earth as our first parents
dwelt In Eden; then charity, old-fash-
toned, unmistakablc charity shall be the
essence and unfailing fashion Of the soul.
The prevalence Of want and misery. IN
so many forms. now 90 largely engages
the charitable, and good works are so
treated as specialties. that we almost for
get that charity is really n general thing
making itself felt always and everywhere
q free distribution and good habit OF
heart. and rather avoiding special
exhibitions. Big shows Of love or
goodness are always under suspi-
cion. are taken as significant"
Charity IS in our day. only another
name for good breeding. We are all OBJ
jects Of charity 70 one another, and the
business Of charity is to save feelings to
avoid offences; personalities and hurts in
every form and shape, and at all times
to consult tho. agreeable and do kindness.
There is one charity (as we say that
commends itself as especially amiable
and profitable, and well bred. 1t is to try
honestly and understand what a man says.
1t is very true that it is not every one
that understands himself Clear ideas are
not common Injuries This really makes
room fer all the greater charity. If we
help the poor fellow out Of his difficulty |
without n suspicion Of ignorance |
or ambitious masnanimity on our
own parts. We do him broth |
erly kindness And we are both bet
ter for our conversation. Whose head is
not full Of unmatured ideas? The common
world is rather pleased at an exhibition
of ignorance, and is happy at anotheE's
which is a vicious thing
Next to this last is one that rather re-
sents new idea or TO be told anything.
This character is very impatient of any
instruction. To make a communication
to such a person is an extremely UNI
pleasant thing Your communication is
apt to be either partially received or
broken all to pieces like reflection from
, broken loohng-glass. What IS more
than to be misunderstood, CT
misunderstood? It makes one feel like
l. fool. But it is a charity TO listen at
cntively when you are talked TO; it is
delight TO be understood and appre-
lated
But there Is another charity OF
his sort more amiable still. When two
airly intelligent and well meaning persons
ak together (snd most people are that
vay) there ought not to be antagonism;
here ought to be terms Of peace. If their
eihsh interests antagonize they had hes:
lot argue. or if they are merely playing
he game Of talk. and trying to beat one
mother down, that is still another ,lues.
ion. That game begets hate
Both these last cases are to be re-
rtists and the literary tenderly fondle
ach other with ill-concealed claws. But
When intelligent persons converse, propose
nd exchange views, there is a mutual
uty; and charity is the peace maker
Ter authority imposes on each that they
han take the pains to understand each
Their and know what each means. Both
lain to work on some principle and aim ,
[ some good end. And each owes il TO 5
he other to treat his proposition with
aspect, ana honestly try and understand ,
hat he really means, and what is the 1
Underlying truth or fundamental principle /
hat gives dignity and importance to his
'ords. This charity that makes conversa- 4
on dignihed, pleasant and profitable, Is i
lost amiaDle and honorable. II gives and {
'ceives blessing; it is twice blest. And
lis handsome and lovely charity Is ac- I
omplishing high office. The science or l
IT of Pleading in the law, aims AT the f.
lme end. truth and peace. 4 great au- Il
iority tells us: Let your reason serve L.
make the truth appear. where il seems o.
d. The wise man wisely says: Every b
an viii kiss his lips that giveth right Il
lswer. " and "As an earring Of gold and :.
ornament Of fine gold. so is a wise f,
proven upon an obedient ear" 81
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