Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-06
4 RR1EF IN THE UNITED sTATEs
Rich and Poor.

CThe Observations Of a Philosophical
Friend OF Ours)
There Is hardly a doubt about It, that
more rich people die Of starvation than
poor ones, and 1t is nearly as certain that
more rich people commit suicide from
disgust and ennui than poor ones from
desperation. So. when We complain Of the
unequal distribution Of the good things
Of this life, we have first 20 ascertain
the facts Of the case. Where the good
things are to be found. and who are the
favored ones It is familiar account Of
the providence Of God: He hath filled the
hungry with good things. and sent the
rich empty away.
As to starvation, the mere physi-
cal fact is that surfeir is father
to much fast. And why do the
rich resort 10 sulphur springs and
travel great distances TO find something
10 move their torpid livers and set their
other functions in order. unless II be
generally TO save them from Starvation
If their machinery refuses 10 make them
good blood, what else can they do but
world are men and women glorying in
their shame. And it is hard to appreciate
the honor and glory Of the room Tor
Dragging when people are driven from
their comfortable homes and made 10 take
nauseous draughts TO restore their abused
organs? The poor escape all that; enjoy
their plain food with good appetite, and
get vigOr and life and JOY, good, rich
blood, and fine, bright spirits out Of II.
on. how unequally the good gifts OF
this world are distributed
Ii IS too absurd 10 see the application
of the money standard Of happiness. All
over the world nature and providence
discredit the ridiculous standard OF the
length of the purse, exemphiying the
proverb: There is that maketh himself
rich, yet hath nothing. There is that
rnaketh himself poor. yet hath great
abundance The world aoounds In cot
tages blest with loving parents and
bright. happy, healthy children, close by
palaces exactly the reverse. The light
and merry heart, the continual feast
knows nothing OF big bank accounts, fun
barns, or splendid argosies. And the very
light and glow OF Heaven CLEANS from
the heart and countenance OF the poor,
sick. and suffering saint, while darkness
hangs over the sllken, downy, restless
couch Of the scofting millionaire. How
unequally are the gifts distributed But
a man with half an eye can see all this.
Natures estates, degrees, and dig
mites are conferred by the true
merit Of the wearer much oftener
than is generally thought And
envy Of the rich and great is as
foolish as II is disgraceful. While con-
tinually the tender mercy Of the Al
mighty IL gently and bountfully bestowed
upon the little ones-"these, Ny
brethren"-tke divine wrath is seen whip
ping and chasing the proud and luXu-
rious from one end OF the earth 10 the
other: disgusting them with pleasures.
wearylng them with delights. and over
whelming them with idle responsibilities
and discreditable burdens. The order
stands: This shall ye have at My hands;
We shall lie down in sorrow. Yet all the
virtue and happiness Is not with the poor.
nor all the vice and misery with the
rich. Nor Is poverty virtue, or riches
a crime But in very truth manhood
happy, wise, and virtuous manhood
fiourishes in both. Cornelius and LaZa-
rus; Joseph, OF Arimathea, and the poor
widow, for their piety and liberallty, all
found favor with the Almighty. The rich
and poor meet together. The Lord is the
maker Of them all. He is no respecter
OF persons. But, in every place and con-
dition he that feareth Him and worketh
Righteousness is accepted. The rank is
but the guinea's stamp. And mans the
gold for a. that.