The Ethics of Social Questions.

Owing to the bad weather, only a small audience heard Professor Peabody's lecture on the Ethics of Charity last night.

The various conditions of society cause much distress, the alleviation of which is the object of charity. It is the attempt to change the social conditions producing these effects, which gives rise to the labor question. The actions of the charity worker must be controlled by business method, which demands a thorough knowledge of the forces operating to produce the conditions observed. No large institutions of charity could exist, however, on a purely business basis. It is the moral, the charitable motive of those who establish them and carry them on, which makes them a success.

A complete understanding among those engaged in charity work is necessary to justice and mercy. True charity is that which has the least appearance of being so. It is better to teach abrade than to relieve a want; for as the sources of want are eliminated, others will arise. There is no real charity which is not personal. Money is not charity unless it is the expression of the personal interest and feeling of the giver. Professor Peabody described at length the methods pursued in the city of Liverpool and in Germany. It was his opinion that a system similar to the German might be introduced in some of the larger towns of America. The city is divided into a number of sections and visitors are appointed to each of these. Their duty is to attend to all the cases of distress which arise in their district, If the number becomes two large, they are allowed to call in an assistant. This service is considered honorable, and the most intelligent and respected members of a community hold offices as visitors.