368 Of the Direction of our Charity. Bk. iv. 



tendency to purify and exalt the human mind. 

 It is ahnost exclusively this species of charity 

 that blesseth him that gives ; and, in a general 

 view, it is almost exclusively this species of cha- 

 rity which blesseth him that takes ; at least it 

 may be asserted that there are but few other 

 modes of exercising our charity, in which large 

 sums can be distributed, without a greater chance 

 of producing evil than good. 



The discretionary power of giving or withhold- 

 ing relief, which is, to a certain extent, vested in 

 parish officers and justices, is of a very different 

 nature, and will have a very different effect, from 

 the discrimination which may be exercised by 

 voluntary charity. Every man in this country, 

 under certain circumstances, is entitled by law 

 to parish assistance ; and unless his disqualifica- 

 tion is clearly proved, has a right to complain if 

 it be withheld. The inquiries necessary to settle 

 this point, and the extent of the relief to be 

 granted, too often produce evasion and lying on 

 the part of the petitioner, and afford an opening 

 to partiality and oppression in the overseer. If 

 the proposed relief be given, it is of course re- 

 ceived with unthankfulness ; and, if it be denied, 

 the party generally thinks himself severely ag- 

 grieved, and feels resentment and indignation at 

 his treatment. 



In the distribution of voluntary charity nothing 

 of this kind can take place. The person who re- 

 ceives it is made the proper subject of the plea- 

 surable sensation of gratitude; and those who do 



