essays-1-第25章
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It is a vulgar saying； that； what is everybody's business； is nobody's business； and it is very certain that many schemes； evidently intended for the public good； have been neglected； merely because nobody could be prevailed on to stand forward and be the first to adopt them。 This doubtless has been the case in regard to many judicious and well arranged proposals for providing for the Poor； and will probably be so again。 I shall endeavour； however； to show； that though in undertakings in which the general welfare of society is concerned； persons of all ranks and conditions are called upon to give them their support； yet； in the INTRODUCTION of such measures as are here recommended； a scheme of providing for the Poor；there are many who； by their rank and peculiar situations； are clearly pointed out as the most proper to take up the business at its commencement； and bring it forward to maturity； as well as to take an active part in the direction and management of such an institution after it has been established： and it appears to me； that the nature and the end of the undertaking evidently point out the persons who are more particularly called upon to set an example on such an occasion。
If the care of the Poor be an object of great national importance； if it be inseparably connected with the peace and tranquillity of society； and with the glory and prosperity of the state； if the advantages which individuals share in the public welfare are in proportion to the capital they have at stake in this great national fundthat is to say； in proportion to their rank； property； and connexions； or general influence；as it is just that every one should contribute in proportion to the advantages he receives； it is evident who ought to be the first to come forward upon such an occasion。
But it is not merely on account of the superior interest they have in the public welfare； that persons of high rank and great property； and such as occupy places of importance in the government； are bound to support measures calculated to relieve the distresses of the Poor；there is still another circumstance which renders it indispensably necessary that they should take an active part in such measures； and that is； the influence which their example must have upon others。
It is impossible to prevent the bulk of mankind from being swayed by the example of those to whom they are taught to look up as their superiors； it behoves； therefore； all who enjoy such high privileges； to employ all the influence which their rank and fortune give them； to promote the public good。 And this may justly be considered as a duty of a peculiar kind；a PERSONAL service attached to the station they hold in society； and which cannot be commuted。
But if the obligations which persons of rank and property are under； to support measures designed for the relief of the Poor； are so binding； how much more so must they be upon those who have taken upon themselves the sacred office of public teachers of virtue and morality；the Ministers of a most holy religion； a religion whose first precepts inculcate charity and universal benevolence； and whose great object is； unquestionably； the peace； order； and happiness of society。
If there be any whose peculiar province it is to seek for objects in distress and want； and administer to them relief；if there be any who are bound by the indispensable duties of their profession to encourage by every means in their power； and more especially by EXAMPLE； the general practice of charity； it is； doubtless； the Ministers of the gospel。 And such is their influence in society； arising from the nature of their office； that their example is a matter of VERY SERIOUS IMPORTANCE。
Little persuasion； I should hope； would be necessary to induce the clergy； in any country； to give their cordial and active assistance in relieving the distresses of the Poor； and providing for their comfort and happiness； by introducing order and useful industry among them。
Another class of men； who from the station they hold in society； and their knowledge of the laws of the country； may be highly useful in carrying into effect such an undertaking； are the civil magistrates； and； however a committee for the government and direction of an Establishment for the Poor may in other respects be composed； I am clearly of opinion； that the Chief Magistrate of the town； or city； where such an Establishment is formed； ought always to be one of its members。 The Clergyman of the place who is highest in rank or dignity ought； likewise； to be another； and if he be a Bishop； or Archbishop； his assistance is the more indispensable。
But as persons who hold offices of great trust and importance in the church； as well as under the civil government； may be so much engaged in the duties of their stations； as not to have sufficient leisure to attend to other matters； it may be necessary； when such distinguished persons lend their assistance in the management of an Establishment for the relief of the Poor； that each of them be permitted to bring with them a person of his own choice into the committee； to assist him in the business。 The Bishop； for instance； may bring his chaplain；the Magistrate； his clerk；the Nobleman； or private gentleman； his son； or friend； etc。 But in small towns； of two or three parishes； and particularly in country…towns and villages； which do not consist of more than one or two parishes； as the details in the management of the affairs of the Poor in such communities cannot be extensive； the members of the committee may manage the business without assistants。 And indeed in all cases； even in great cities； when a general Establishment for the Poor is formed upon a good plan； the details of the executive and more laborious parts of the management of it will be so divided among the commissaries of the districts； that the members of the supreme committee will have little more to do than just hold the reins； and direct the movement of the machine。 Care must however be taken to preserve the most perfect uniformity in the motions of all its parts； otherwise confusion must ensue； hence the necessity of directing the whole from one center。
As the inspection of the Poor；the care of them when they are sick；the distribution of the sums granted in alms for their support；the furnishing them with clothes；and the collection of the voluntary subscriptions of the inhabitants；will be performed by the commissaries of the districts； and their assistants；and as all the details relative to giving employment to the Poor； and feeding them； may be managed by particular subordinate committees； appointed for those purposes； the current business of the supreme committee will amount to little more than the exercise of a general superintendance。
This committee； it is true； must determine upon all demands from the Poor who apply for assistance； but as every such demand will be accompanied with the most particular account of the circumstances of the petitioner； and the nature and amount of assistance necessary to his relief； certified by the commissary of the district in which the petitioner resides；and also by the parochial committee； where such are established；the matter will be so prepared and digested； that the members of the supreme committee will have very little trouble to decide on the merits of the case； and the assistance to be granted。
This assistance will consistin a certain sum to be given WEEKLY in alms to the petitioner； by the commissary of the district； out of the funds of the Institution；in an allowance of bread only；in a present of certain articles of clothing； which will be specified；or； perhaps； merely in an order for being furnished with wood； clothing； or fuel； from the public kitchens or magazines of the Establishment； AT THE PRIME COST of those articles； AS AN ASSISTANCE to the petitioner； and to prevent the NECESSITY OF HIS BECOMING A BURTHEN ON THE PUBLIC。
The manner last mentioned of assisting the Poor；that of furnishing them with the necessaries of life at lower prices than those at which they are sold in the public markets； is a matter of such importance； that I shall take occasion to treat of it more fully hereafter。
With respect to the petitions present
