The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-11-24
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER "a, 1907.
Religion .oothcs every wound. and
make. the bed Of death II couch OF
feIIctty.-S0uthy.
THE GRACE OF GIVING AND RE
CEIy1NG.


CE1yING.
In all charitable activities there is
danger in running to extremes, in one
or the other of two directions, or
lin both. 1ndiscriininate giving 10
harmful in the long run. to both gtver
and receiver.
Ii is sure to encourage beggary,
slothfulness and dece!tfulness i'll some
who receive: and when men and wo-
men who are generously disposed find
that they have been imposed upon by
unworthy bcggars they are apt to
harden their hearts toward the entire
INDECENT class.
That is one extreme to be guarded
against. Giving should always be
spiritually helpful, both subjcctively
and effectively. 1t should be means
Of grace to both giver and receiver. 1t
should stimulate and cultivate true
generosity on the one hand. and on
She other manly or womanly gratitude,
rhich is always improving.
But human nature is frail. and as
many abuses have grown out of indis-
criminate giving on the part of indi-
viduals. organized charity has come to
pass as remedy. Charitable associa-
lions have done and are doing val
liable work, and yet there is danger
In organized charity which is to be
avoided. We must rot allow organized
effort TO take the place altogether Of
individual EFFORT 1t is not the whole
OF charity to send ones check to an
specialization 10 relieve the pinch OF
poverty. 18th those who have abund-
sncs il involves no sacrifice OF personal
Inconvenience 70 give money. Such a
transaction may be as sending check
70 ,.ae grocer. II will never do 10
shift. ones individual responsibility TO
humanity upon an organization 1t is
sinking. pure and simple. Personal
yisiIasions and manifestations 10 the
poor are the injunct!ons Of our Saviour.
"Inaxnuch as ye have done 1t unto one
of the least OF these My brethren, we
have done 1t unto Nc" is the doctrine
Organized charity should be co-opera'
tive in the broadcast sense. 1t should
endeavor TO i~ttre. Individuals to goo'
works and airecr their efforts; anc
there should be the closest Relationship
and utilization between the association
and the church. When the organ
ization becomes the relief agency TO
a distressed family, the church Shout
provide the necessary spiritual over
sight and the necessary formativ
influences for the children and, if nee
be, for the older members. This is TIL
rule laid down by DR.. Edward I
Deyine. general secretary OF til
Charity Organization Society of Ne'
York.
DIR. Devtne also says that in moder
organized charity, investigation hi
come TO mean something more tina
it meant to those who had proclaime
the necessity for discriminating b.
tween the deserving and the und
serving poor, Investigation is N
solely or even primarily for the pu
pose of thwarting I'll expectation
mpostors, Investigation is rather
instrument for the Intelligent trea
nent Of distress. 1t is analogous
tho diagnosis OF the physician WI
does not attempt to treat serio
lnalady from glance AT its supe
fetal Indications butSwho carefully
quires into the hidden and early mar
festations OF the disease, and seeks
know as much as possible OF the co
plicating influences with which he mi
reckon in cffec;ing a cure. II III,
be painstakIng. conscientious q
honest. In the majority OF cases.
the Investigation is wise and compile
it Will reveal personal sources and ia
which will enable the situation to
met without calling in outside aid,
in this way, in the large proportion
cases. investigation might be said
become substitute for relief.
All the conditions above outlined
met by the Associated Charities
Richmond. under the intelligent
humane direction OF Or. James BY
vs. anan. The organization encourages;
dIvidual charity, 1T is in hearty
operation with the churches; by In
tigation 1t has run down the impos
and retired them from the beggar
1t has put many INDECENT person:
Bs work. In the first ten months Of
existence II helped more than
families; during the past year, wit
Increased expenditure Of $1,000,
y number OF families helped was red
more than 100. the unworthy cases
Ing been weeded out and the iacrc