The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-12
"SAINT JOHN OF GOD" /"
A Beautiful Painting Over Two
Centuries Old.
VIII Shortly Be Placed on Exhibition al
Shepard's.

Inc greet Monammcdan, manoHet
wrote the following regarding charity.
1t contains an essence of truth that all
civilization should bear in mind, act up
on, and try to follow in its precepts.
"Every good act is charity; your smil-
ing In your brothers. face is charity; an
exhortstion of your fellow-man to virtu-
Gus deed, is equPl TO alms-giving: your
putting wanderer in the right road is
charity; your assisting the blind Is char
ity; your removing stones and thorns and
other distractions from the roao Is char
ity; your giving wafer to the thirsty is
charity. A mans true wealth hereafter
is the good he does in this world to- h is
fellow-man. When he dies, people will
say. "What property has he left behind
him." but the angels will ask, "Whst
good has be sent before him.?
True charity is performed In q manner
that its dispenser Is but seldom known,
and under no circumstances is the recpi-
ent made to feel any humiliation at his
misfortune. No better. no sweeter de-
scription OF the word "Charity" can be
written than the following words OF the
Shakespeare: ale hath a tear for pity,
and hand open as day for meeting char
ity." Men and women nave forsaKen the
pleasures OF this life TO help the afflicted,
succor the distressed, aid the needy, ana
there is no better example OF this self-ab-
negaiion than that OF Saint john Of God,
who founded in The year 1888 at Granada,
the order of "Tne Brothers of Charity"
a community for tending the sick.
He was born in Portugal In 1895 and
in l5l2 he served in the war between the
French and Spaniards, Ms he also ord
afierward in Hungary against the Turks
whilst the Emperor Charles.V wes King
OF Spain. In 1856 he went to Andaiusia,
where he entered the service of a rich
seignori,a near Seville in the capacity OF
shepherd. Thence he journeyed to Afri-
ca in 1857 that he nigh. comfort and
succor the poor slaves there. At Granada
he founded hospital to harbor the poor
sich, whom he served ana provided for
with ardor, prudence, economy and vigi-
lance that surprised the whole city. The
constant attention which he gave to the
afflicted aroused the sympathy Of man
kind and resulted in the foundation of
the famous order of "The Brothers of
Charity" which, by the benediclion Of
Heaven, has since spread throughout all
Christendom.
John was occupied all day in serving
his many patients. In the night he
went abroad 10 carry on his shoulders
new objects of charity. In the year 1871
this holy man gave still more illustrious
proof of his charity when the hospital
was on fire. lie carried most of the sick
on his own back to places of safety, and
though, as is related, he passed and re-
passed through the fierce flames and
remained in them for considerable
time, he was unscathed. He expired on
his knees before the altar on the Sth of
March, 1860.
Commencing October 10 there will be
exhibited in the furniture department,
fourth floor of Shepard e. Company's
store, a priceless gem painting, size 4Sx75
in, by the greatest ecclesiastical painter
of Spain, Bartolome Este ban Murillo. 1917
1852.
from the famous collection OF paintings OF
the old masters, owned by MIR. T.. T.
Snow OF Philadelphia. / represents Saint
John OF God, bearing a wounded Moor on
his shoulders. II was doubtless painted
in 1874, for the Hospital Of Saint George
Of Seville, being carried on by the French
generals during the Peninsular War, be-
tention is.called to the sweet expression
of resignation and patience on the counte-
nance of the saint, the flowing drspery
and the typical negro Gestures idealized
in tho Moor. This painting will be on
exhibition but short time, and all those
interested in art OF this character should
avail themselves Of an early opportunity