CHARITY SUNDAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2604, 11 August 1882, Page 3

CHARITY SUNDAY.

To the Editor of the Qlohe.

Sib, —It must bo exceedingly gratifying to those unfortunate people in onr city, who ate reduced to the necessity of receiving charitable aid, to find that they will not be compelled (owing to the failing funds of our Benevolent Association) to subsist on private donations. The action taken by the chairman of the association in arranging for the setting apart of a Stndajr, on which collections may be made in all pieces of worship in this city in aid of the funds of the Benevolent Association, is deserving of the highest commendation. The great success that has attended the initiation of this laudable movement in London and Melbourne, redounds more to the credit of those cities than any display of wealth or material resources which it would bo possible to make. The union of sects, on the oocasions referred to, in the c.ujo of charity, is indeed a refreshing oasis in the Sahara of bitterness and discord which too fre qurnlly characterises their mutual relationship, and is calculated to afford to persons of_ sanguine temperament a ray of hope that ultimately a more permanent goodwill and Christian fellowship may be established. Viewed, however, as a mere organisation for the support of charitable institutions, the movement is a most interesting one, and must commend itself to the benevolent instincts of >ll. Pope has said, and said truly, that—- “ In Faith and Hope the world will disagree, But all mankind’s concern is Charity.” Unfortunately, however, what is “ all mankind’s concern ” too often shares the fate proverbially expressed in the old adage that "What is everybody’s business is nobody's business,” and for want of systematized and directed efforts those who would willingly lend their aid do not do so, simply because they are not directly appealed to. It hes long been a complaint that iwhat are technically called the “ working class'’! ” do not contribute in proportion to their means to charitable institutions, although the majority of recipients belong to those classes. This has not, I believe, (been so much the result of unwillingness on their part as from the waut of adequate facilities for giving; for while in some towns collectors are employed to obtain the larger snbsoriptions of the commercial and independent closes, but little attempt is made to obtain the cooperation and assistance of the working classes, although it is evident that a very trifling individual contribution, on anything like a general scale, would far exceed the aggregate amount at present obtained from the comparatively limited list of subscribers to colonial charities.

History affords us many instances of a whole people sinking differences for the propose of achieving a common objee’, but surely none could be found more worthy or deserving than to help those who are unable to help themselves. The success of “ Hospital Sunday ” in the places I have referred to at once refliots credit and honour on the inhabitants of those cities, and will not fail, it is to bo hoped, to kindle the flame ol charity in the hearts of the community, which shall constitute a continuous electric current of liberality from one end of the colony to the other, Tha people of Christchurch have it in their power to make th , movement a most complete success. Now is the opportunity for exorcising that power. Yours, O. M, GRAY.