130 Presidential Addresses 



exclude duty to one's neighbor. Each of us, rich or 

 poor, can help his neighbor at times; and to do this 

 he must be, brought into touch with him, into sym 

 pathy with him. Any effort is to be welcomed that 

 brings people closer together, so as to secure a better 

 understanding among those whose walks of life 

 are in ordinary circumstances far apart. Probably 

 the good done is almost equally great on both sides, 

 no matter which one may seem to be helping the 

 other. But it must be kept in mind that no good 

 will be accomplished at all by any philanthropic or 

 charitable work, unless it is done along certain defi 

 nite lines. In the first place, if the work is done 

 in a spirit of condescension, it would be better never 

 to attempt it. It is almost as irritating to be patron 

 ized as to be wronged. The only safe way of work 

 ing is to try to find out some scheme by which it 

 is possible to make a common effort for the common 

 good. Each of us needs at times to have a helping 

 hand stretched out to him or her. Every one of us 

 slips on some occasion, and shame to his fellow who 

 then refuses to stretch out the hand that should al 

 ways be ready to help the man who stumbles. It 

 is our duty to lift him up ; but it is also our duty to 

 remember that there is no earthly use in trying to 

 carry him. If a man will submit to being carried, 

 that is sufficient to show that he is not worth carry 

 ing. In the long run, the only kind of help that 

 really avails is the help which teaches a man to help 

 himself. Such help every man who has been blessed 

 in life should try to give to those who are less fortu- 



