832 THE DEPENDENT GROUP 



means of preventing pauperism. The contest with tuberculosis is 

 a familiar and happy illustration of labors in this field. 1 



(6) Philanthropy would still have a large and even higher mission 

 if the commonwealth could by a stroke abolish pauperism in all its 

 present forms. Philanthropy will never become obsolete, but will 

 merely move up to higher levels. There will alw r ays be superior and 

 inferior; stronger men in advance, feebler men in the rear; but all 

 will be members of the same community, knit by economic, political, 

 and moral ties into one organization. Already the condition of 

 social dependents is far higher than it was a century ago. When 

 actual misery and depravity have been abolished, if that time ever 

 comes, there will still be work for the most successful on behalf of 

 those less gifted. Much of our charitable work is already on this 

 level. In rural communities the desperate and tragical struggle 

 with shameless pauperism is often absent; there are no " poor," 

 none dependent on public or private relief; yet in many villages the 

 higher charity has a very earnest mission. There are still spiritual 

 and intellectual dwarfs to be stimulated; gossip dissipates; low vice 

 lurks in unsuspected places; and those who lag in the rear hinder 

 the march of the most advanced. 



The philanthropic measures which have been developed in presence 

 of pathological phenomena have reacted upon normal activities. 

 Thus, for example, the methods of studying and training the feeble- 

 minded and the juvenile offenders, and the vacation schools for 

 summer vagrants among children, have made substantial and appre- 

 ciated contributions to the science of education. 



Crises in commerce and industry are felt to be pathological ; but a 

 scientific study of crises reveals the principles which should regulate 

 ordinary business in such a way as to avoid widespread financial 

 ruin, as rules and laws controlling the issue of currency, the straining 

 of credit, and the fluctuations in the production of commodities. 



The labors of the philanthropist awaken and sustain those social 

 habits of thought and sympathy which elevate and ennoble family 

 life, refine customs, and inform legislation with a universal moral 

 aim. Medieval charity was full of blunders, but its failures are our 

 warnings, and its spirit of devotion inspires us through the literary 

 monuments of its typical heroes. In a similar way the institutions 

 and laws which public and private charity are now constructing 

 will shine over the waste of years a veritable pharos for the centuries 

 to come. 



1 Other illustrations are given by Dr. E. Miinsterberg in his paper. 



