THE PROBLEM OF PAUPERISM 157 



the end of seventeen years, had been reduced 

 from forty-two to twenty-two in every thousand. 

 Sooner or later nearly every pastor finds that 

 his church is aiding those who use piety as a 

 cloak for laziness. The rector of a large parish 

 in New York discovered that at one time his 

 church contributed largely to the support of two 

 maiden ladies supposed to be poor but worthy, 

 who, on investigation, were found to be owners of 

 the large tenement in which they lived. There 

 are organized gangs of paupers in all great cities 

 who make begging a business. Some "work" 

 the churches ; others, the Sunday-schools ; still 

 others go from house to house. They are adroit, 

 persistent, and innocent in manner ; and they 

 continue their line of business because it pays. 

 It would not pay were it not for misplaced 

 charity. There is truth in the French epi- 

 gram, " Charity creates one-half of the misery 

 she relieves, but cannot relieve one-half of the 

 misery she creates." 



This study of the factors of the problem of 

 pauperism has been necessary before intelligent 

 suggestions could be offered concerning its solu- 

 tion. In all attempted solutions there should be 

 constant reference to the removal of the causes 

 of the evil. Occasional gifts to the poor con- 



