theology of ethics, and to insist only upon the reign of force, are utterly absurd, and are meeting their just condemnation.

We have nothing to fear. Truth is mightier than error. Faith will stand. Before the rising tide of true theistic investigation the cold idealism of philosophy will disappear as the gulf stream in mid-ocean melts the iceberg of the frozen North.

ARTICLE III.

PAUPERISM.

BY REV. C. R. HENDERSON, D. d.

FIRST in importance is the conversion of men to Christ. This is the first duty of the Church, and it has no equal. Perhaps the abolition of the abuses of alcoholic beverages comes next, and then the abolition of pauperism. The evils of this last social sore are vast in proportion and insidious in their influence. The care of the dependent is a burden upon the industries of the people, and, under certain conditions, which are to be here indicated, it tends to increase. Benevolence is not always beneficent; the very means used to alleviate suffering have frequently increased misery and degradation. From 1870 to 1880 the population in the State of Michigan increased thirty-eight per cent, while the number of poor aided by state grants, in addition to all helped by private charity, increased one hundred and thirty per cent. Pauperism grows like a cancer upon the body which it destroys, and pauperism is the prolific source of crime. Mr. Dugdale, in his book named "The Jukes," has shown that the female children of habitual beggars are most likely to become prostitutes and the male children thieves: the poor-house is the occasional haunt and final refuge of both.

II. What is pauperism? Our Savior said that the world would always have the poor, to whom the charitable might do good; but we do not understand him to prophesy perpetual pauperism. Through all time there will be dependent children, helpless infants, aged persons in second childhood, widows and orphans, victims of misfortune and disease, and these will serve to keep alive the gentle graces

of sympathy until nature ceases to groan for deliverance, but pauperism is not mere relative inferiority in talents or temporary want of opportunities. It is not even marked by temporary appeal to State aid, though that is a step on the downward way. It is a distinct social disease with well defined symptoms, -a willingness to depend on others, atrophy of unused faculties, degradation from manly independence, a tendency to stray into crime along the path of least resistance. Most of us are "poor," as compared with millionaires, but we resent the suggestion that we are paupers. Poverty is not an evidence that Providence has erred or man sinned. Valleys praise God as truly as mountains, and, in the absence of vile envy, the cottager finds cause for praise as well as those in kings' palaces; but this disease is a blot on creation, a shame to man, and a dishonor to God. It is not our duty to sit down passive and despairing before this wrong, as if Christ had made it certain as fate by his declaration of the perpetuity of inequalities.

III. The fact of poverty awakens a desire to relieve distress; the evils of pauperism compel thoughtful people to so direct their alms and efforts that the disease may gradually be healed. The modes of relief of physical wants are two, "outdoor" and "indoor" relief; the former is aid given in the home of the sufferer, the latter is that which is extended to the inmates of institutions--as hospitals, asylums, and poorhouses. Another important distinction to keep in mind is that between official and voluntary relief; "official aid " is given by the State from funds raised by assessment and extorted by force of law. Voluntary relief is that which is given from individuals, churches, or benevolent societies, and this alone is worthy of the name of charity. To call money raised by the tax-gatherer, with a posse of soldiers in the background, "charity," is to pervert language. A brief sketch of the methods hitherto employed may throw light on the discussion of the adjustment of official and voluntary relief.

ARTICLE III.

PAUPERISM.

BY REV. C. R. HENDERSON, D. D.

FIRST in importance is the conversion of men to Christ. This is the first duty of the Church, and it has no equal. Perhaps the abolition of the abuses of alcoholic beverages comes next, and then the abolition of pauperism. The evils of this last social sore are vast in proportion and insidious in their influence. The care of the dependent is a burden upon the industries of the people, and, under certain conditions, which are to be here indicated, it tends to increase. Benevolence is not always beneficent; the very means used to alleviate suffering have frequently increased misery and degradation. From 1870 to 1880 the population in the State of Michigan increased thirty-eight per cent, while the number of poor aided by state grants, in addition to all helped by private charity, increased one hundred and thirty per cent. Pauperism grows like a cancer upon the body which it destroys, and pauperism is the prolific source of crime. Mr. Dugdale, in his book named "The Jukes," has shown that the female children of habitual beggars are most likely to become prostitutes and the male children thieves: the poor-house is the occasional haunt and final refuge of both.

II. What is pauperism? Our Savior said that the world would always have the poor, to whom the charitable might do good; but we do not understand him to prophesy perpetual pauperism. Through all time there will be dependent children, helpless infants, aged persons in second childhood, widows and orphans, victims of misfortune and disease, and these will serve to keep alive the gentle graces

of sympathy until nature ceases to groan for deliverance, but pauperism is not mere relative inferiority in talents or temporary want of opportunities. It is not even marked by temporary appeal to State aid, though that is a step on the downward way. It is a distinct social disease with well defined symptoms, -a willingness to depend on others, atrophy of unused faculties, degradation from manly independence, a tendency to stray into crime along the path of least resistance. Most of us are "poor," as compared with millionaires, but we resent the suggestion that we are paupers. Poverty is not an evidence that Providence has erred or man sinned. Valleys praise God as truly as mountains, and, in the absence of vile envy, the cottager finds cause for praise as well as those in kings' palaces; but this disease is a blot on creation, a shame to man, and a dishonor to God. It is not our duty to sit down passive and despairing before this wrong, as if Christ had made it certain as fate by his declaration of the perpetuity of inequalities.

III. The fact of poverty awakens a desire to relieve distress; the evils of pauperism compel thoughtful people to so direct their alms and efforts that the disease may gradually be healed. The modes of relief of physical wants are two, outdoor" and "indoor" relief; the former is aid given in the home of the sufferer, the latter is that which is extended to the inmates of institutions--as hospitals, asylums, and poorhouses. Another important distinction to keep in mind is that between official and voluntary relief; "official aid" is given by the State from funds raised by assessment and extorted by force of law. Voluntary relief is that which is given from individuals, churches, or benevolent societies, and this alone is worthy of the name of charity. To call money raised by the tax-gatherer, with a posse of soldiers in the background, "charity," is to pervert language. A brief sketch of the methods hitherto employed may throw light on the discussion of the adjustment of official and voluntary relief.