Had Plenty of Audacity

1895

How Mr. Moody Once Organized a Great Charity In Ten Minutes.

On one occasion Dwight L. Moody had convened a great conference in Liverpool, writes Professor Drummond in McClure's Magazine. The theme for discussion was a favorite one, "How to Reach the Masses." One of the speakers, the Rev. Charles Garrett, in a powerful speech, expressed his conviction that the chief want of the masses in Liverpool was the institution of cheap houses of refreshment to counteract the saloons. When he had finished, Mr. Moody called upon him to speak for ten minutes more. That ten minutes might almost be said to have been a crisis in the social history of Liverpool. Mr. Moody spent it in whispered conversation with gentlemen on the platform.

No sooner was the speaker done than Mr. Moody sprang to his feet and announced that a company had been formed to carry out the objects Mr. Garrett had advocated; that various gentlemen, whom he named — Mr. Alexander Balfour, Mr. Samuel Smith, M. P., Mr. Lockhart and others — had each taken 1,000 shares of $5 each, and that the subscription list would be open till the end of the meeting. The capital was gathered almost before the adjournment, and a company floated under the name of the British Workmen company, limited, which has not only worked a small revolution in Liverpool, but — what was not contemplated or wished for, except as an index of healthy business — paid a handsome dividend to the shareholders,

For 20 years this company has gone on increasing. Its ramifications are in every quarter of the city; it has returned 10 per cent throughout the whole period, except for one strike year, when it returned 7, and, above all, it has been copied by cities and towns innumerable all over Great Britain.

To Mr. Garrett, who unconsciously set the ball a-rolling, the personal consequences were as curious as they were unexpected. "You must take charge of this thing," said Mr. Moody to him, "or at least you must keep your eye on it." "That cannot be," was the reply. "I am a Wesleyan. My three years in Liverpool have expired. I must pass to another circuit." "No," said Mr. Moody, "you must stay here." Mr. Garrett assured him it was quite impossible; the Methodist conference made no exceptions. But Mr. Moody would not be beaten. He got up a petition to the conference. It was granted — an almost unheard of thing — and Mr. Garrett remains in his Liverpool church to this day. This last incident proves at least one thing — that Mr. Moody's audacity is at least equaled by his influence.

Benevolence Versus Extravagance

The greatest obstacle to charity in the Christian church today is the fact that men expend so much on their table and women so much on their dress, they have got nothing left for the work of God and the world's betterment. — TALMAGE.


Condensed Comments

He that bath a bountiful eye shall be blessed;
For he giveth of his bread to the poor. — SOLOMON.

We only begin to realize the value of our possessions when we commence to do good to others with them. No earthly investment pays so large an interest as charity. — JOSEPH COOK.

The Danger of Charity — Completely Pauperized

1910

Albert W. Hebbard, New York's charity expert, said at a recent dinner:

"The great danger of charity is its pauperizing effect. This effect must be avoided, or the recipients will all become Jack Hanches.

"Jack Hanch, on the score of bad health never worked, and the pastor of the Methodist church, a man whose heart sometimes outran his head, sent the idler and his family weekly gifts of food and clothing — supported the whole crew, in fact.

"A church visitor, after listening to Jack's complaints one day, said:

" 'Yes, of course, you have had bad health, we know that; but one thing at least you ought to be thankful for, and that is our pastor's kindness in sending you all this bread and meat and jelly and blankets and so on. Don't you think it is good of him to look after you so well?"

" 'Good of him?' said Jack, impatiently. 'Why, what's he for?' "


Contented Heart Brings Cheer

This world is only a place of pilgrimage, but after all there is a good deal of cheer on the journey, if it is made with a contented heart. — Henry Van Dyke.


The Unlucky Mandrake

From time immemorial the mandrake has been associated with enchantments, and has ever been believed to be one of the most powerful charms of witches. Mr. Conway in a paper on "Mystic Trees and Flowers," states that "by popular superstitions in some places it is said to be perpetually watched over by Satan, and if it be pulled up at certain holy times and with certain invocations, the evil spirit will appear to do the bidding of the petitioner." (See Genesis 30:14ff).

Visits to Woman Overdone — Points For the New Curate

1909

Points For the New Curate

Dean Pigou gives a few reminiscences of Doncaster, where at one time be was vicar. Among the stories he tells is this concerning one of his curates. He went to see an old woman with whom visiting had perhaps been overdone. She at once accosted him.

"So you are the new curate, aren't you?"

"Yes," he replied.

"Well, just you sit down on that 'ere chair." It was a three legged stool of most uncertain standing.

"Now, I'll tell you what you does when you comes to see me. You sits on that stool. You then read me, mind, a short psalm. Then you gives me a shilling, and you can go." — London Vanity Fair.

Rev. Charles W. Potter, Ohio, Dies of Cancer

March 11, 1903

Rev. Charles W. Potter, Well-Known Charitable Worker Of Toledo, Ohio, Dies Of Starvation

Was Unable to Digest Food

Toledo, 0., March 11. — Rev. Charles W. Potter, formerly of Detroit, but for the past six years one of the best known charitable workers in the city, died here of starvation. Potter was surrounded with the good things of life, but was unable to eat because of cancer of the stomach.