Chap. VII.]

DUTY OF MUTUAL ASSISTANCE.

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without industry and economy, by living upon our alms, than thehumblest of the self-denying, who receive no alms, can live with-out them.

(4.) Another principle of great importance is this; — wher-ever, in our intercourse with the poor, we meet with industry,with frugality, with self-respect, and with a preference of self-denial to dependence upon alms; the encouragement proper andsuitable to individuals of this character is, not almsgiving inany of the forms or modifications which it can assume, 8ht therespect and regard for character simply, which such persons willnever fail to know how to appreciate.

This, indeed, is a test by which the truth of character, inthese respects, may be tried. The man or woman, who reallyprefers labor and self-denial to dependence upon alms, willequally prefer our simple confidence, our just appreciation ofmotives, and our respect expressed by treatment and conduct,rather than by words, to any alms which we could give. Letus not fail to sympathize with such a person wherever we mayfind him. But let us be aware, also, of the delicacy, of the care,which must be maintained, in the treatment of such a person.Any substitute for alms, which is to be appropriated to the usesto which alms are applied, however it may be disguised, may,if accepted, lead to dependence upon alms. And he is notfitted to be an almoner, who does not understand and feel, thatsincere respect, sympathy, and interest will do more to improvethe entire condition of the poor, than any alms which we cangive them. These sentiments, and a corresponding deportmenttowards the poor, will save from pauperism, where the want ofthem will lead to, and inevitably do much to occasion, pauperism.There is no doubt, that much of the existing pauperism is to beascribed to the fact, that respect and sympathy are given, in sogreat a measure, to condition, rather than to character. Multi-tudes, therefore, who feel that they cannot hope essentially torise in condition, become reckless in regard to character. Weought to do what we can to remedy this evil. And, above all,let us take heed, that our alms shall not be means of underminingone right principle in the mind, or of enfeebling one of its well-directed energies.