Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Social Problems And Their Peaceful Solution.
All these institutions could be as well supported by the rates as the existing ones , whilst they would be ten thousand times better managed by neighbours resident in the place , than by a central " Board " chosen , but too often solely for their board-like qualities .
On the question of privately bestoived alms ive dare hardly venture to lay down a rule , for we have known an instance Avhere the reception by " a tramp " of a casually bestowed coin was the very last action performed in this Avorld by the poor dying
Avretch Avho sought and obtained it . If , however , we dare not venture to give advice of ourselves , we may quote the ivords of one far wiser than
ourselves" Never turn thy face from any poor man ; and then the face of the Lord shall not be turned away from thee . " Nor let the mite be despised , for" Blessed are they who from great gain Give thousands ivith a reasoning brain , But holier still shall be his part AVho gives one coin Avith pitying heart . "
Nor need Ave , for our lack of resources whereAvith to carry out our charity , despair of recognition and reward ; for if not here , we shall there , where intentions , not results , are Aveisrhed , find
that" Having done good by stealth AVe shall rise to find it fame . '' So much for relieving the ivants of our poorer neighbours , which Ave but too often consider not as a , but the , Charity demanded of us by our Universal Father . No 1 charity has a wider scope than this , great though this
be" The Heart , the Heart ! Oh ! let it spare A sigh for other ' s pain ; The breath that sooths a brother ' s care Is neA'er spent in vain . " Indeed , it matters little what task is taken up by our neighbourly hand , for
any and every action intended to benefit our neighbour is a manifestation of that reflexion in our OAvn souls of the greatest attribute of our Almighty Father , who Himself ia Love . Jeremy Taylor says" He who gives alms to the poor takes Jesus by the hand ; he who patiently
endures insult ancl injury , helps Him to bear His Cross ; he who comforts his brother in affliction gives a kiss of peace to Jesus ; he AVIIO bathes his own and his nei ghbour ' s sinsin tears of penitence ancl piety , washes his Master ' s feet . AVe enter into his heart when we express Him in our actions . "
In this ivay , then , should every talent committed to us be pressed into this gentle service and , band as heart , brain as breast , pen as purse , be utilised in the great cause of Charity . In this way , and to this end , have these few papers been written , and
Ave trust that our brethren will see that every subject that can possibly concern us here can , equally Avith the few that haA'e been thus slightly touched upon , be viewed from the Masonic standpoint of Moderation and Charity . Let every Mason then , as time ancl opportunity offers , apjply himself to the humanizing task , remembering the injunction to the
Craft" If man s warm passions you can guide and bind , Ancl plant the virtues in the wayward mind ; If you can wake to Christian-love the heart , — In mercy , something of your poivers
impart . " Should seeming failures at first attend our efforts for good , let us not be disheartened , but examining ourselves , prove " Avhat manner of spirit we are of : " calling to mind the beautiful picture of progression in the
work of Love , presented to us by Eliza Cook in her " Address to the Freemasons , " ( delivered at the festival of the Royal Benevolent Institution , 1848 ) Avhere she shoivs us the striving of a man , - rich but good , to enter
Paradise" His ivealth was read y , and his hand ivas kind , When friends mi ght sue , or rigid duty bind .
And coldly good , he measured out his span , An honest , moral , true , and prudent man . " But this ivas not enough , and he was bidden—
" Good as thou art , go back to human dust ; Man , to be Godlike , must be more than just"
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Social Problems And Their Peaceful Solution.
All these institutions could be as well supported by the rates as the existing ones , whilst they would be ten thousand times better managed by neighbours resident in the place , than by a central " Board " chosen , but too often solely for their board-like qualities .
On the question of privately bestoived alms ive dare hardly venture to lay down a rule , for we have known an instance Avhere the reception by " a tramp " of a casually bestowed coin was the very last action performed in this Avorld by the poor dying
Avretch Avho sought and obtained it . If , however , we dare not venture to give advice of ourselves , we may quote the ivords of one far wiser than
ourselves" Never turn thy face from any poor man ; and then the face of the Lord shall not be turned away from thee . " Nor let the mite be despised , for" Blessed are they who from great gain Give thousands ivith a reasoning brain , But holier still shall be his part AVho gives one coin Avith pitying heart . "
Nor need Ave , for our lack of resources whereAvith to carry out our charity , despair of recognition and reward ; for if not here , we shall there , where intentions , not results , are Aveisrhed , find
that" Having done good by stealth AVe shall rise to find it fame . '' So much for relieving the ivants of our poorer neighbours , which Ave but too often consider not as a , but the , Charity demanded of us by our Universal Father . No 1 charity has a wider scope than this , great though this
be" The Heart , the Heart ! Oh ! let it spare A sigh for other ' s pain ; The breath that sooths a brother ' s care Is neA'er spent in vain . " Indeed , it matters little what task is taken up by our neighbourly hand , for
any and every action intended to benefit our neighbour is a manifestation of that reflexion in our OAvn souls of the greatest attribute of our Almighty Father , who Himself ia Love . Jeremy Taylor says" He who gives alms to the poor takes Jesus by the hand ; he who patiently
endures insult ancl injury , helps Him to bear His Cross ; he who comforts his brother in affliction gives a kiss of peace to Jesus ; he AVIIO bathes his own and his nei ghbour ' s sinsin tears of penitence ancl piety , washes his Master ' s feet . AVe enter into his heart when we express Him in our actions . "
In this ivay , then , should every talent committed to us be pressed into this gentle service and , band as heart , brain as breast , pen as purse , be utilised in the great cause of Charity . In this way , and to this end , have these few papers been written , and
Ave trust that our brethren will see that every subject that can possibly concern us here can , equally Avith the few that haA'e been thus slightly touched upon , be viewed from the Masonic standpoint of Moderation and Charity . Let every Mason then , as time ancl opportunity offers , apjply himself to the humanizing task , remembering the injunction to the
Craft" If man s warm passions you can guide and bind , Ancl plant the virtues in the wayward mind ; If you can wake to Christian-love the heart , — In mercy , something of your poivers
impart . " Should seeming failures at first attend our efforts for good , let us not be disheartened , but examining ourselves , prove " Avhat manner of spirit we are of : " calling to mind the beautiful picture of progression in the
work of Love , presented to us by Eliza Cook in her " Address to the Freemasons , " ( delivered at the festival of the Royal Benevolent Institution , 1848 ) Avhere she shoivs us the striving of a man , - rich but good , to enter
Paradise" His ivealth was read y , and his hand ivas kind , When friends mi ght sue , or rigid duty bind .
And coldly good , he measured out his span , An honest , moral , true , and prudent man . " But this ivas not enough , and he was bidden—
" Good as thou art , go back to human dust ; Man , to be Godlike , must be more than just"