Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-28
Systematized Charity.
observations Of a Philosophical Friend
Of Ours)

Observations Of a Philosophical Friend
Of Ours)
There is all the difference in the world
between the machine-made and the hand
made article, and between the fruit or
vegetable that is grown for home use and
that for the market. And there Is pretty
much the same difference between home
made character, virtue, and piety, ana
that which is gotten up by the wholesale.
by associations, and companies, the manu-
featured article, to supply the trade. Peo-
pie are thought to starve. or come very
near IT, by sticking TO their homely. hon
est ideas of what is honorable and decent.
and right and good. Such a course in
wolves time and self-denial and expense
and unpopularity. It's profit is not in the
sale OF It, but In the appropriation, use,
and enjoyment of by the party who pro-
duces it, or by those nearest to him. 1t
has nothing to do with the outside world;
and the outside world has its own cheap
and salable commodity that suits it best.
The world wants what Is cheap and con-
venient and salable. Real virtues ana
graces cost self-sacrihce, industry and
study, and the world IS ashamed Of just
those things. Toll belongs TO laborers;
self-sacriice means that a man does not
know how TO take care OF himself; and
study and endurance mean that a man is
poor. and has not the money 10 pay an
other TO work for him.
Capitalizing, systematizing. and popu-
larizing looks to saving time and labor
and producing desirable things cheapiy
and by the wholesale, bringing them
within the reach Of everybody, however
poor or helpless. Societies and associa-
lions are formed for pious and philan-
thropic ends. Their objects are always
most honorable and religious. AT the
same time. most OF them have the strong
est possible resemblance 10 tho stock
companies and associations Of everyday
business life. Presidents, Independents,
directors, secretaries, and committees
abound in both; honors are scattered and
bestowed lavishy, and everybody feels
more or less good. Out In the world
most Of the companies break. In the
world OF philanthropy. beyond the de-
lights Of annual meetings and speeches,
the proportion OF failures Is about the
same as in the business world. The gene
raj profit is that people have something 10
amuse themselves with, and are kept out
OF mischief. But for the thing produced
the quality is about OF the same grade.
In both il is the merchantable, cheap, ana
popularized commodity. Labor and time
and money are saved; more or less or
honor and profit are divided among the
officers and stockholders. No doubt "a
great deal OF good is accomplished by or
ganized charities; much suffering Is re-
lieved, many wants are supplied. ana
many good people enjoy the luxury or
doing good.
But there Is another side 10 the ques-
ton. 1t Is more blessed to give than 70
receive. The reactionary effect OF good
deeds is the special and immediate re-
ward OF a charitable act Doing good
and witnessing the happiness mot re-
ceiying the praise) resulting from a kind
ness, enlsrges the heart and lifts II
heayenward In filial sympathy with the
Great and Good Being. A heart re-
joicing in another's relief or Joy Is OF
tho divine nature. Systematized and Or
ganizsd charity and associated good
works make the goodness OF the dry,
machine. economic order. quite OF another
style from that which feels another's
woe. And the stockholders have little