The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1872

Evening Star, Issue 2800, 7 February 1872, Page 2

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1872

We were mol surprised, although we much regret, to learn by the report read at the meeting of the Benevolent Institution, that with increased demand for assistance, its funds were less than during previous years. Why we cannot tell, but true enough it is, that the public feeling in regard to this invaluable institution seems apathetic. This is the more to be regretted, as from the nature of the case heavier demands must be made upon it in proportion to the increase of population. We should be glad to see systematic support increased by more general contributions to it; for it should be remembered by all classes tbat an institution of this description possesses many advantages over mere private charity. There can be no doubt that in the Colonies the people are more open-handed than they are at Home. Higher wages and cheap living supply means of being liberal denied to the toiling millions in old countries, who are ever on the verge of being dependent upon the poors’ rate for support. When, therefore, cases of individual distress are presented, means are gene rally at hand for relief. But however liberally such calls may be responded to, they are fitful efforts, suggested by a benevolent impulse, rather than the result of reasoning and consequently well-regulated charity. The consequence is, that very often the relief given is altogether disproportioned to the distress \ for the amount collected depends very much upon the skill, influence, and tact of those who take the eases in hand. Many persons, in fact, who need help the most, shrink from their distresses becoming the theme of public comment, and prefer suffering extremes of penury to having their names handed about on a subscription paper, or put in large type in an advertisement, announcing a concert or a ball in their behalf. To this class, and it includes a far greater number than is usually imagined, the Benevolent Institute is of especial benefit. Their cases will bear the strictest and most thorough investigation. The relief is given without ostentation, and with no accompaniments tending to induce a feeling of degradation in the recipient, and when no longer needed, can be withdrawn without any feeling of doubt or compunction by the donors. On these and other grounds, there are great advantages in remitting the distribution of charity to the Benevolent Institution. It prevents no visits of sympathy on the part of friends, and removes that frequent bar to kindly intercourse, which a feeling of dependence on one side, and superiority on the other, proproduces when a visit is made for the special purpose of presenting a gift. But there are other advantages. Private charity is apt to be imposed upon. The people of the colonies are not victimised to the same extent is they are at Home, Begging letters are not systematically sent round detailing fictitious stories of distress, by calculating impostors, who can estimate accurately the amount likely to be realised by their imposition. Yet even the Colonies are not without some little experience of the sort; for this swindling, p’ayiug upon the best sympathies of man’s" nature, is not, unfortunately, altogether unknown. It costs less to give half-a-crown and have done with the matter than to give the time necessary to investigate the truth or falsehood of a story. And even if it be Known positively that a man has attempted a swindle, it is not easy, excepting at considerable trouble and expense, to warn the public of the falsehood. The only way by which people can protect themselves is by witholding indiscriminate charity, on principle. To do this, without feeling that possibly some really deserving person is thus refused relief, would be very difficult were there no institution to which application could be made, with the certainty of proper attention being given. By referring the applicant to the Benevolent Institute, there is the guarantee that proper enquiry will be made, and that measure of relief given that is really required. It affords, therefore, a safeguard against the kind-hearted being defrauded, and is the best means by which charity can be economised, and charitable donations spread over the widest possible space. There is with many persons an idea that to remit the distribution of charitable funds to others

is to weaken their own sympathies with We-can hardly agree with this notion. No doubt there is satisfaction in seeing the immediate effect of relieving distress. It is one of the noblest of human feelings to have been the means of benefitting our fellow men : but when it is considered that by the systematic arrangements of the institution two or three can be permanently relieved at less cost than one by private effort, although the feelings may not be so interested, reason commends it to preferential support. We trust the next year’s report will prove that its usefulness has been increased by increase of subscriptions to its funds. Commending this institution to public support reminds one of Dean Swift’s pithy sermon, so very short and so very applicable. His reverence took for his text Prov, xix. v. 17 : “He that hath pity upon the “ poor, lendeth unto the Lord • and “ that which he hath given will he pay “ him again.” “My friends,” said the Dean, “If you like the security, “down with the dust.” He said no more, but subscriptions flowed freely into the boxes.