Page:Whole works of joseph butler.djvu/235

204 These things lead us to the following observations on the several charities which are the occasion of these annual solemnities.

1. What we have to bestow in charity being a trust, we cannot discharge it faithfully, without taking some care to satisfy ourselves in some degree, that we bestow it upon the proper objects of charity. One hears persons complaining that it is difficult to distinguish who are such: yet often seeming to forget, that this is the reason for using their best endeavours to do it. And others make a custom of giving to idle vagabonds; a kind of charity, very improperly so called, which one really wonders people can allow themselves in, merely to be relieved from importunity, or at best to gratify a false good-nature. For they cannot but know that it is, at least, very doubtful whether what they thus give will not immediately be spent in riot and debauchery. Or suppose it be not, yet still they know they do a great deal of certain mischief, by encouraging this shameful trade of begging in the streets, and all the disorders which accompany it. By the charities towards which I now ask your assistance, as they are always open, so every one may contribute to them with full assurance that he bestows upon proper objects, and, in general, that he does vastly more good, than by equal sums given separately to particular persons. For that these charities really have these advantages, has been fully made out by some who have gone before me in the duty I am discharging, and by the reports annually published at this time.

Let us thank God for these charities in behalf of the poor, and also on our own behalf, as they give us such clear opportunities of doing good. Indeed, without them, vice and misery, of which there is still so much, would abound so much more in this populous city as to render it scarce an inhabitable place.