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Literary
October 19, 1782
The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Exeter, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
An essay arguing that true charity extends beyond material benevolence to include tolerance and living harmoniously with all, especially in religious differences. It critiques intolerant zealotry using biblical references, warning that without charity, even great acts profit nothing.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
ON CHARITY.
It seems to be the general opinion of the world, that a diffusive benevolence is the sum and substance of charity.
But though it is a very commendable virtue, and an essential point of charity, it must not be supposed to center entirely in it: for a retrospect of mankind would convince us, that many people who plume themselves very much upon their liberal dispensations of the gifts of Providence, are very deficient in that more essential principle of charity which the divine revelations inculcate in us with so much energy, when they command us "to live in charity with all men." And instead of exhorting the poor misguided creatures, whom the Lord has not enlightened with the mildness and humility of Christians, with all the intemperate enthusiasm of a tabernacle, or a conventicle, denounce eternal perdition on them, for differing from us in a trivial mode of worship.
Such a conduct is by no means consistent with the divine principles of the revealed religion; it borders too much upon that ignorant bigotry which is so horridly conspicuous in the Romish church. It is, with presumptuous impiety, prescribing bounds and limits to the actions of God Almighty and incontestably proves that we may be transported too far by an excessive zeal, even in the most virtuous cause. For, as the apostle Paul says, "Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing."
It seems to be the general opinion of the world, that a diffusive benevolence is the sum and substance of charity.
But though it is a very commendable virtue, and an essential point of charity, it must not be supposed to center entirely in it: for a retrospect of mankind would convince us, that many people who plume themselves very much upon their liberal dispensations of the gifts of Providence, are very deficient in that more essential principle of charity which the divine revelations inculcate in us with so much energy, when they command us "to live in charity with all men." And instead of exhorting the poor misguided creatures, whom the Lord has not enlightened with the mildness and humility of Christians, with all the intemperate enthusiasm of a tabernacle, or a conventicle, denounce eternal perdition on them, for differing from us in a trivial mode of worship.
Such a conduct is by no means consistent with the divine principles of the revealed religion; it borders too much upon that ignorant bigotry which is so horridly conspicuous in the Romish church. It is, with presumptuous impiety, prescribing bounds and limits to the actions of God Almighty and incontestably proves that we may be transported too far by an excessive zeal, even in the most virtuous cause. For, as the apostle Paul says, "Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing."
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Religious
What keywords are associated?
Charity
Benevolence
Religious Tolerance
Bigotry
Moral Instruction
Divine Revelation
Literary Details
Title
On Charity.
Key Lines
To Live In Charity With All Men.
Though I Bestow All My Goods To Feed The Poor, And Though I Give My Body To Be Burned, And Have Not Charity, It Profiteth Me Nothing.