PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

172 PecUI-ziary ]JauntJ.
tender himself to 1m feelings without reserve, wiil
at least lend an ear to importu.'lities, which come ac~
companied with outward attestations of distress;
and after a patient audience of the complaint, will
direct himself, not so :auch by any pr-evious resoluti"n
which he may have formed upon the subject,
3S by the ~ircumstances and credibility .of the accuunt
that he receives.
There are other species of charity well contrhred
to make the money expended go far ; such as keeping
down the price of fuel or provision~ iL'. case of
a monopoly or temporary scarcity, by purchasing
the articles at the best market, and retailing them at
prime cost, or at a small lo~s ; or the adding of a
bounty tu particular species of labour, when the pric~
is accidentally depressed.
The proprietors of large estates have it in their
J>'>wer to facilitate the mainterumce, and thereby to
encourage the establishment of f.unifies (which is one
of the noblest purposes to \l"hich the rich and great
can·:onvert thar endeavours) by building cottages,
splitting farms, erecting manufactures, cultivating
wa-;t!S,embanking the se2.,draining marshes,and other
eXJJ'~~ents, which the situali~n of each estate points
oot. If the profits of these undertakings do not repay
the expense, let the authors of them place the
diif~ence to the account of charity. It is true of
almost aU such projects, that the public is a gainer
by them whatever the owner be. And where the
loss can be spared, this consideration is sufficient.
It is become a question of some importance, under
what circumstances works of charity ought to be
done in private, and when they may be made public
without detracting from the merit of the action, jf
indeed they ever may ; the. Author of our religion
having delivered a rule upon this subject which seems
1;0 enjoin universal.secrecv ~ ~, When thou doest alms,
let not thy left hand kno" what thy right hand doth;
that thy alms may be in secret, and thy Father which