The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-10
CHARITY And THE POOR
DIR. KELLOGG SUGGESTS PROPER
METHODS OF RELIEF.
Causes Of Poverty Must First He Cured
and True Justice and sympathy
Given the Needy.

At the CentraI-avenue NJ. E. Church last
night the Rev Hiram w. Kellogg spoke
on Consideration for the Poor'-a sermon
on systematic charities. The spirit of
Charity is interviewer with Christianity, he
said. and there is no danger 1t will die
out unless the church gives up its greatest
work. He said:
Poverty said one, is the misfortune
of some the disgrace of more. the inner
itance of most. The poor a perma-
nent element of society. What shall be
done with them? The answer is urged as
a religious obligation. 1t is now becoming
a scientific question as well The spirit is
of religious impulse. Fulfilling II needs
the discretion of the highest wisdom. The
enforcement of consideration for the poor
and oppressed was prominent in the He
brew code. The duty was magnified in the
Christian law. Jesus adopts them his
peculiar care, commends them to his
church. that they may be warmed and fed.
stimulating the spirit by the promise of
final benedction. Inasmuch as We have
done IL to one of these my brethren, We
have done it unto me- The fufillment of
the charge has been a perpetual care of
the church in all ages, the true credentials
of her divine mission among men. 1t lights
up her history with peculiar glory. 1t is
not an attachment TO Christianity, but is
born in her very life; not a painting on her
her fabric The work of charity springs
forth with the exercise OF the hottest and
as sympathy and love. This work will
ever abide so long as these qualities Of the
TEXT A CAUTION.
my text is a caution as well as an in
junction. II does not say. Blessed is he
that giveth money TO the poor nor
Blessed is he that feedeth and clotheth
the poor This may be done, and yet
neither the giver nor the receiver be bene-
flied Both may be injured. 1t does say.
Blessed is he that considereth the poor
IL contemplates wise and systematic meth
DDS for dealing with the poor. 1t enjoins
generosity, but generosity directed by wis
dom. There must be the exercise of heart
forces. a cold, systematic. calculating
charity, without sympathy and love, will
never fulfill the law OF Christ. On the
other hand. an impulsive. gushing. misled
charity may work ruin to lives and com
munities.
ut is a favorable indication that charity
Is becoming a matter OF profound con-
sheraton and is assigned a place in po-
litical and social science. The growth of
intelligence among the lower classes and
the extension Of the privileges OF citizen
ship are among the causes which have led
TO a more careful consideration OF the
rights of the poor and the obligation of
society to this important class. The finan-
cial depressions which have fallen upon
civilized countries in the past few years
especially those which have overtaken
England and America. have forced the at
witnessed the degrading OF the better ma
ture of men and women. the weakening
of self-respect and individual struggle. in
short the pauperiZing of many who had
been respectable citizens. through misdi-
rected but kindly intended charities, ar
IDENTIFY wishei for relief through more
scientific direction. Science Is in its be-
ginning. A few things only are settled.
Among these, / am safe In mentioning:
WHAT TO DO.
'First-The poor demand consideration
and care. These are not to be crushed I'M
der the cruel heel OF wealth or class power.
This class has its rights, which. IL ignored,
is TO weaken the whole fabric of social or
der.
"Second-whatever the cause OF poverty.
the first concern is not 10 relieve the imme-
date condition, but to cure the cause SYM
pathy Is TO be extended to the character of
the man and treatment administered here
rather than TO his conditions. This is
Christian and scientific.
"Third-Among the first things to be
given them IL Justice. This must coma be-