Chap. VII.]

DUTY OF MUTUAL ASSISTANCE.

237

knowledge of the fact, that when pressed by want, they can availthemselves of alms. Now it is well known, it cannot be conceal-ed, that injudicious almsgiving, has not only relaxed the mainspring of industry in many a mind, it has not only acted as abounty upon idleness, upon intemperance, and upon willing andunnecessary dependence, but it has even led to and encouragedthe grossest deceptions, imposture, and recklessness.

Let it be known, that funds are provided for the various ob-jects of human necessity, and these funds will be applied for ;and supply, in this case, will indefinitely increase demand. Itwould be very unreasonable to look for any different result. Ifno necessity shall be felt, in the spring, summer, and autumn, ofprovision for winter, on what ground are we to expect that suchprovision will be made ? We shall in vain teach economy bywords, where the necessity of it is superseded by the free supplyof those wants, which the individual could himself have supplied,merely by an economical use of his own resources.

Nor have parents and adults only been thus injured, perverted,and brought to indolence, thriftlessness, and debasement. Chil-dren have been, to a very great extent, made beggars, through thefacilities and excitements which are given to beggary. I say,therefore, that to give to one who begs, because he had ratherbeg than work; or to give to one who is not too proud to beg,and yet is too proud to live and appear as he must, if he livesupon his own earnings ; or to give to those who might supportthemselves, if they would but look to the future, and economizein preparation for it ; or to give to the intemperate, who, simplyby abjuring the use of spirituous liquors, might be independent ofall eleemosynary aid ; or in any way to supersede the necessity ofindustry, of forecast, and of proper self-restraint and self-denial,is at once to do wrong, and to encourage the receivers of ouralms to do wrong. It is patronizing pauperism, and, it may evenbe, great vice.

I have before said, that almsgiving is one of the highest, and,in the records of our religion, one of the most frequently and im-pressively inculcated, of our duties as Christians. I would,therefore, by every proper means increase, and would on noconsideration do any thing to diminish, our sense of its obligation.