Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-12-13
Liberality is Too
Limited, Both in
Money and Love
BY ELLA WHEELER w1LCox.
Copyright, 1915, Star Company.

Charge them tnat are rich in this
world, that they be not high-minded, nor
trust In uncertain riches, but in the liv-
ing God, who giveth us richly ell things
TO enjoy; that they do good; that they be
rich in good works, ready to distribute,
wiling to communicate; laying up in
store for themselves a good foundation
against the time TO come, that they
may lay hold on eternal nfe.-I Timothy,
vi: II. Is, 10.
That Is a good text for some of the
pastors on our wealthy churches to talk
from these days. But in truth. nowhere
in the world can be found greater Iiber-
atty in the way OF giving money to
charity than right in our own land.
Even those millionaires who are classed
among the "stingy' and close-fisted give
enormous sums to people and institutions
through some liberal member of their
households each year.
And, indeed, why should they not give
even tenfold what they do-these multi
millionaires7
For once a man has a comfortable home
and is assured independence in his old
age for himself and his dear ones, why
should he leave accommodating millions for
idle, selfish descendants to wrangle overY
of even half-awakened men and women
who realize that almost unlimited power
lies In their hands at this time of year
toward mitigating temporarily the suf-
fering which falls under their notice.
! dare say these enormously wealthy
people are no less tender-hearted than
the rest of US; and each one of us knows
what peculiar pleasure Is derived from
helping some less fortunate fellow
creature over hard place in the journey
of life-a pleasure wholly unlike that of
any purely personal enjoyment
At No. 31S East Fifteenth street, New
York, there is a house where the work Of
| God is going on every hour of the twenty
| four and every day Of the year.
| 1t Is the headquarters for that To-
cality of the Salvation Army; and any
one who questions the sincerity and pur-
pose of that wonderful organization needs
only to visit this house to be convinced
of the philanthropic. sane, wholesome and
| helpful work which Is being done for
unfortunate humanity by these good
people. 1t is the cheapest house in the
metropolis (surely there cannot be two
| houses so spick and span and shining
with freshly washed and busted white
! enamelD, and It is large house, indeed,
II is two houses, and there Is an outlook
on a park; and 1t is here, where at the
door smiling faces of good women greet
the seekers after peace, that the doors
are ever open. and the night or day the
sin-sick, the poverty-pursued, the unfor-
tunate. the wayfarers along lifes road
are welcomed and given help and strength
and courage to start anew.
There are little children In that house,
little children Of frail mothers deserted
by their fathers. and these children are
receiving Christian love and care from
the angelic women who by tremendous
industry, unfaltering faith and steady
purpose have established this great way
station between earth and heaven for
lost and wandering souls.
1t requires much money to maintain
this home; do not begrudge a contribu-
ton to the Salvation Army people when
they ask it of you. II you want to con-
vince yourself of the good use made of
money by this organization ask to be
shown through the house.
But IL we cannot all buy coal and pay
rent and give food to needy thousands.
there are lesser acts of benevolence and
brotherly love within our power.
Mony is not the best gift to humanity;
indeed 1t Is the worst possible gift, save
in cases OF absolute suffering and times
of dire need; but to give weak soul
strength, q cowardly soul courage, a
lonely soul love and an erring soul hope
that is the real benevolence, because
It Is the gift which lasts and helps both
the giver and the receiver.
Perhaps while you are wishing you had
millions to bestow upon worthy chart
ties you have neglected to see the down
cast look and troubled face OF some
member of your own household; a hus-
band. a wife. a child. a parent, a
brother or sister. who may be expert
encing trials and worries unknown to
you.
It Is a sad fact that many soul
passes through the garden OF Gethse-
name and those under the same roof and
united by the nearest blood that never
suspect its sorrow. The eyes OF SYM
pathy are oft-times too far-sighted and
overlook the duty which lies nearest
Perhaps your neighbor or your friend
has made a mistake. committed an error
or wronged you in some small matter.
A word Of forgiveness and a look Of for
getfulness would be the best gift you
could bestow today.
Were you to pay all the rents for a
whole parish of poor people. It might not
serve as good a purpose in the ultimate
plan.
Charge them that are rich In tms
world. that they be not high-minded'
That means you as much as It means
your millionaire neighbor. for II you
have health and work and faith IN God
and your own SOUL then indeed you are
rich. and you have much to bestow upon
humanity.