44 THE MURDER OF AGRICULTURE 



These far-reaching private charities ramify through 

 all classes of society, and yet show no sign of their pre- 

 sence. This is the charity that " vaunteth not itself, is 

 not puffed up "; it does its work silently yet surely, and 

 it seeketh no reward. 

 Which Ex- This form of charity is practically universal in our 

 "really Poor land, and its power is potent and far-reaching. It com- 

 Wed/h^ mences where the great organised charities stop; it 

 takes up the work they are unable to do, and enormously 

 supplements, in a quiet, unobtrusive, unseen manner, 

 that work in the broad field of philanthropy which the 

 visible charity organisations are not destined to touch. 

 This form of charity is as widespread as the ocean and 

 as all-embracing as the sun's light and warmth; it ex- 

 tends to all sections of the community, and none are 

 neglected or forgotten. Its donors are to be found in 

 their millions, for all classes are engaged in the good 

 work. From the small shop-keeper or the needy clerk, the 

 poorly-paid shop-assistant, from the artisan and working 

 classes themselves up to the King in his palace, and even 

 from the little children who are encouraged to give their 

 pence, does this constant stream of charity flow, and it 

 may be truly said that one half of the people of this 

 country is engaged in helping the other half. 



That this is literally true may be proved by the test of 

 individual experience. What man or woman is there 

 among us who does not give even a trifle in charity? We 

 know that practically every one of our friends does 

 something for charity's sake. 



" I can't do much but, thank God, I can do something 

 to help," is a saying common even among really poor 



