essays-1-第72章
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ime is too horrible and shocking for them； nothing in heaven or on the earth too holy not to be profaned by them without scruple； and employed with consummate hyprocrisy to their wicked purposes＇3＇。
Whence is it that this evil proceeds？ not from the inability of this great capital to provide for its Poor； for no city in the world； of equal extent and population； has so many hospitals for the sick and infirm； and other institutions of public charity。 Neither is it owing to the hard…heartedness of the inhabitants； for a more feeling and charitable people cannot be found。 Even the uncommonly great and increasing numbers of the Beggars show the kindness and liberality of the inhabitants； for these vagabonds naturally collect together in the greatest numbers； where their trade can be carried on to the greatest advantage。
THE INJUDICIOUS DISPENSATION OF ALMS is the real and only source of this evil。
In every community there are certainly to be found a greater or less number of poor and distressed persons； who have just claims on the public charity。 This is also the case at Munich； and nature dictates to us the duty of administering relief to suffering humanity； and more especially to our poor and distressed fellow…citizens； and our Holy Religion promises eternal rewards to him who supports and relieves the poor and needy； and threatens everlasting damnation to him who sends them away without relief。
The Holy Fathers teach； that when there are no other means left for the relief and support of the Poor； the superfluous ornaments of the churches may be disposed of； and even the sacred vessels melted down and sold for that purpose。
But what shall we think； when we see those very persons； who profess to live after the rules and precepts laid down in the word of God； act diametrically contrary to them？
Such； doubtless； is the fatal conduct of those who are induced by mistaken compassion to lavish their alms upon Beggars； and obstruct the relief of the really indigent。Alms that frustrate a good and useful institution cannot be meritorious； or acceptable to God： and no maxim is less founded in truth； than that the merit of the giver is undiminished by the unworthiness of the object。 The truly distressed are too bashful to mix with the herd of common Beggars； necessity； it is true； will sometimes conquer their timidity； and compel them publicity to solicit charity； but their modest appeal is unheard or unnoticed； whilst a dissolute vagabond； who exhibits an hypocritical picture of distress；a drunken wretch； who pretends to have a numerous family and to be persecuted by misfortune；or an impudent unfeeling women； who excites pity by the tears and cries of a poor child whom she has hired perhaps for the purpose； and tortured into suffering； steps daringly forward to intercept the alms of the charitable； and the well…intentioned gift which should relieve the indigent is the prize of impudence and imposition； and the support of vice and idleness。What then is left for the modest object of real distress； but to retire dispirited and hide himself in the obscurity of his cottage； there to languish in misery； whilst the bolder Beggar consumes the ill…bestowed gift in mirth and riot？ And； yet； the charitable donor flatters himself that he has performed an exemplary duty！
We earnestly entreat every citizen and inhabitant of this capital； each in his respective station； no longer to countenance mendicity by such a misapplication of their well…meant charity； contributing thus to augment the fatal consequences of the evil itself； as well as to impede the relief of the real necessitous。
We are firmly persuaded； that by pointing out to our fellow…citizens a method by which they may exercise their benevolence towards the indigent and distressed in a meritorious manner； we shall gratify their pious zeal and humanity； and at the same time essentially promote the honour and safety of the state； and the interests of sound morality and religion。
And this is the sole object of the Military Workhouse； which has been instituted by the command of his Electoral Highness； where； from this time forward； all who are able to work may find employment and wages； and will be cloathed and fed。THERE will be the really indigent find a secure asylum； and those unfortunate persons who are a prey to sickness and infirmity； or are worn out with age； will be effectually relieved。
We beg you not to listen to the false representations which may； perhaps； be made to calumniate this institution； by putting it on a level with former imperfect establishments。Why should not an institution prosper at Munich； which has already been successful in other places； particularly at Manheim； where above 800 persons are daily employed in the Military Workhouse； and heap benedictions on its benevolent founder？Have the inhabitants of this town less good sense； less humanity； or less zeal for the good of mankind？ Noit would be an insult on the patriotism of our fellow…citizens； were we to doubt of their readiness to concur in our undertaking。
The only efficacious way of promoting an institution so intimately connected with the safety； honor； and welfare of the state； and with the interests of religion and morality； is a general resolution of the inhabitants to establish a voluntary monthly contribution； and strictly prohibit the abominable and degrading practice of street…begging； the unlimited exercise of which； notwithstanding its fatal and disgraceful consequences； is perhaps more glaringly indulged in Munich than in any other city in Germany。
In vain will the institution be opposed by the prejudices； or the meanness and malice of persons who are themselves used to mendicity； or to exercise an insolent dominion over Beggars。
It will subsist in spite of all their efforts； and we have the fullest confidence that the generous and well…disposed inhabitants of this city will be sensible how injurious the habits of encouraging public mendicity are； when an opportunity is offered them of contributing to an institution where the really indigent are sure to find assistance； and where the benevolent Christian is certain that his neighbours and fellow…citizens are benefited by his charitable donations。
The simplest and most effectual way of ascertaining the extent of such contribution is to form a list of all the citizens and inhabitants of the town； with the name of the street； and number of the house they inhabit。 This register may be called an Alms Book。 It will be presented to each inhabitant； that he may put down the sum which he means voluntarily to subscribe every month towards the support of the Poor。 The smallest donation will be gratefully received； and the objects who are relieved by them will pray for them to the Almighty Rewarder of all good actions。
As this charitable contribution is to be absolutely voluntary； every one； whatever be his rank or property； will subscribe as he pleases； a greater or a less sum； or none at all。 The names of the benefactors and their donations will be printed and published quarterly； that every one may know and acknowledge the zealous friends of humanity； by whose assistance an evil of such magnitude； so long and so universally complained of； will be finally rooted out。
We request that the public will not oppose so sure and effectual a mode of granting relief to the Poor； but rather give their generous support to an undertaking； which cannot but be productive of much good； and acceptable in the sight of Heaven。
To convince every one of the faithful application of these contributions； an exact detail both of the receipt and expenditure of the institution will be printed and laid before the public every three months； and every subscriber will be allowed to inspect and examine the original accounts whenever he shall think proper。
It must be obvious to every one； even to persons of the most suspicious dispositions； that this institution is perfectly disinterested； and owes its origin entirely to pure benevolence； and an active zeal for the public good； when it is known that a Committee appointed by his Electoral Highness； under the direction of the Presidents of the Council of War； the Supreme Regency； and the
