THE EDUCATED MAN AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS 435 



In Proverbs: " He that hath pity on the poor, happy is he." In 

 Deuteronomy: " Thou shalt open thy hand wide unto thy brother, 

 to thy poor, and to thy needy in thy land." In Isaiah: " Is not this 

 the fast that I have chosen; to deal thy bread to the hungry, and 

 that thou bring the poor that are cast out, to thy house? " 



These expressions of the principles of the Old Testament many 

 pious men have followed with the consciousness of duty performed, 

 and yet these men have been guilty of pauperizing many. This has 

 also been done in later days. We must look to a truer charity, by 

 a broader interpretation of Christianity and a better understanding 

 of sociology. 



In Matthew we have: " Give to him that asketh thee, and from 

 him that would borrow of thee, turn not thou away." A narrow and 

 too literal interpretation of this statement may have been responsible 

 for much unwise charity. " The letter killeth, but the spirit maketh 

 alive." 



Saint James says : "I by my works will show thee my faith." If 

 we consider the works of Jesus with his words, we can give a better 

 interpretation. Jesus says, " Give him that asketh thee." What- 

 ever may have been the meaning of Jesus at that time, the present 

 day interpretation should not be to give the suppliant what he asks, 

 and all he asks, but give. Alms may be the last thing which the 

 suppliant needs. One who asks usually does have need of something. 

 It may be very different from the thing he asks. He may ask for 

 bread, when he needs work. He may ask for money, when he needs 

 sympathy. He may ask for some material aid, when he needs a 

 friend. 



Jesus did not place a high appreciation on almsgiving. " Let not 

 thy right hand know what thy left hand doeth." Jesus places more 

 value on the spirit and the sacrifice. " Of a truth I say unto you, 

 this poor widow cast in more than they all." Jesus says to the 

 Pharisees: " But rather give alms of such things as ye have, and 

 behold all things are clean unto you." 



These teachings give the true note of modern charity. " Not 

 alms, but a friend." 



Professor Peabody, in speaking of the story of the Good Samaritan, 

 says: " Nothing can describe with more precision the exact pro- 

 gramme which scientific charity has, by degrees, worked out to guide 

 the visitation of the poor. First, friendly compassion, then the relief 

 of temporary necessity, then a transfer of the case to restorative 

 conditions. Finally, money; not as alms for the helpless, but to 

 maintain continuity of relief. It was to the host, not to the ' case ' 

 that the neighbor gave his money, saying: ' Take care of him; and 

 whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay 

 thee.' " 



