The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-17
SCIENCE AND CHARITY.

Some people may have formed the idea
that the purpose Of tho Virginia Confer
ence Of Charities and Correction is to
stimulate aims giving. On the ontrary,
the purpose is to discourage aims giving,
and that was the general trend OF the dis
cuss.on In the meeting which was held
here during the present week. It's pur-
pose In part +, to promote charity, but
charity Is not aims giving. Charity, as
Mr. Glenn, Of Baltimore. so aptly ex.
planned, IS not pity but sympathy, and
those who have the true spirit of charity
In them will seek to lift men up by ex-
tending the right sortfof help: whereas
aims giving from sert,e of pity tends
to drag men down and destroy their char
ncter.
st. Peter had this idea we'll in mind
and In heart when he met the beggur in
front Of the temple Gold and silver
have I none,' said he, ''but such as I
have freely give unto you" lie then
extended his hand and lifted the man on
his feet and put confidence in him ard
gave him another chance in life. Had he
given him instead a piece Of money, the
man would have continued to be impotent
and would have continued to be beggar
AS it was, he was enabled to make a
living for himself and to be Independent
The apostle not only restored his powers
of locomoton but restored his manhood.
Aims giving is a very cheap sort Of
charity, If |: be charity at all. 1t is a
small matter to tip q heggar with a
quarter or half-dollar. 1t is quite anoth-
er matter to give the beggar ones sym
pathy, to lift him up and give him the
power TO stand alone. BY giving aims
rection, we are sure to encourage beggars
in beggary, and SO aid them In. running
themselves. 1t is much the same thing
MS giving whiskey to the drunkard.
Mr.. Glenn. OF Baltimore, mas made LAS
subject study OF years and consecrated
himself and lis fortune to charity, even
going SO far as to take up his residence
among tho poor. among those who need
help There are many ind-hearted peo-
pie who say that it Is better that nine
imposters should receive an aims on re-
quest than that one truly needy person
should go away empty. Mr.. Glenn de-
clareS that the reverse Of this PROPOSE
ton Is true; that it Is better that nino
needy persons should be turned away
than that ono tmposter should be en-
couragcd. For the needy persons. II In
deed honest, viii soon in this humane
world find relief in one way or another.
whereas the i'm poster will be encouraged
by rccel-ing gifts to continue In his evil
way. In OIL such work the prime object
should not be merely to relieve bodily dis
trcss but to Improve the morals of those
to whom charitable organizations admin
lister and save their souls.
In fine, the aim OF the Virginia Cnfer-
ence of Charities and Correction is to ap-
ply scientific principles to olms giving, to
profit by the experience OF others and to
lift up rather than to drag down those
who are served. So that. instead of being
sentimental, visionary sort OF organi-
zatlon, it Is an organization thoroughly
practical and scientific and It Is destined
to do great good in this State In develop
ing among the people that charity which
tho Apostle declared to DO the greatest
of all virtues.