The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-08-10
cetter$ to tbe Gdftcr
Necessity for Chairhty Work.

Editor The Advertiser:
 An article by MT. Wm. R. sawyer on charitable givings, in Monday Aover User. contains many timely susses, tions. and ii you will kindly allow nie space l will as briefly as possible com ment upon some of the various Ques tions which charity workers ha'e ." consider, the gravest of which l con- slider is the care of needy families ID their homes, for upon the proper treat ment of such families depen9s the lu- ture results among charity Wolkers. ra
 All the misery and poverty we are dealing with in every form origlnatea' as a rule, from some defect or acci, dent in family life, and If. by concerted succeed in keeping the family together, in correcting such defects and in bridS- ing over such accidents, we shall haNe advanced very far towards a solution of this most perplexing problem
 It always seems to me that the fur ther we get away from the religious influence in our charitable work, the less satisfactory will be the results. poverty as a crime; religion neither elevates 1t. consoles it, or makes Of 1t virtue. Honest poverty, decent pow erty. and it is much more frequent than many believe, is indeed blessing in disguise for those who seek to as suage it. What more encouraging sight, what greater incentive to bear our own trials with patience, than 10
  I view with grave apprehension the organizing of poverty. Take from the poor the only influence which helps them to bear with patience the heavy burdens placed upon them. and you have anarchy to deal with. Therefore. I care not whether you have any re- ligious convictions or not, you must realize that the safety of the country of the poor love of God. a respect for honesty and the preservation of their own self-respect I hold these funda- mental propositions to be the basis of all charity.
 Sometimes we go too far in our care of the poor have known where wants were created which could not be sat isfied and the condition of the poor people thus treated was most sad and discontented. Regarding the amount of relief given 1t Is very important that Judgment be used in this respect. The difficult with charity workers is to overcome the tendency to be severe in their criticisms of the poor. We al most insensibly get into the habit of looking for the bad side of their lives, we discover evidences of something objecttorable, little beer in can, or some other extravaganza or folly, and immediately we condemn that family and report them as undeserving, Such Urea tment has helped to i'll the insti tutions with children. when a kindly word of advice, backed with some ma terial aid. might have kept the home tOEeIHRT anu saved the IdHily.
 Investigation may be carried too far. and 1t often proceeds from this very habit. Investigation should be a con scientious examination and not an in- conditions surrounding a family, but because a family had a bad history, there Is sno reason for refusing help. Let me reverently say. God Is perfectly fairs. and if we were to be judged or dealt with as we deal with some of our poor our own chances for the hereaf- ter would need immediate ccNsidero. |. ton.
 Help honors when to the bread that nourishes 1t adds the visit that COZ soles. the advice that enlightens, the friendly shake of the hand that lifts up the sinking courage; when 1t treats the poor man with respect not only as an equal but as a superior, since ne Is suffering what we, perhaps are in- capable of suffering, since he Is the messenger of God 10 us. sent to prove our justice and charity, and to save Us by our works.
 Help. then. becomes honorable be- cause 1t may become mutual. because every man who gives a kind word. good advice. consolation, today, may to- morrow stand himself in need of kind word. advice and consolation; because the hand that you clasp clasps yours In return, because that indigent famiey you love loves you in return and will largely have acquitted themselves to- Wards you when the old men, the moth CTS and the little children shall have prayed for you. The same authority that tells us, we shall always have the poor with us." is also the author. fly that tells us to do all we can that there may cease tc be any. When you dread SO much to lay an obligation on him who accepts your aims fear it Is because you have never experienced the obligation 1t confers on him who gives ' "'0
 We have in this city a number of charitable organizations or agencies, though no one of these agencies Is suf. ncient or itself all are needed, and in all and between all charitvAchorItv that sutrereth long and Is kind that heareth all things, bniieveth all things, honeth e'l things. endureth All things Is needed most of aU
 Gladden. Harrison.