It never was our guise
To slight the poor, or aught humane despise.

It never was our guise
To slight the poor, or aught humane despise.

Scatter plenty o'er a smiling land.

Scatter plenty o'er a smiling land.

Gifts and alms are the expressions, not the essence, of this
virtue.

Gifts and alms are the expressions, not the essence, of this
virtue.

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by
interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was read more

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by
interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good
works and almsdeeds which she did.

Our sympathy is cold to the relation of distant misery.

Our sympathy is cold to the relation of distant misery.

He scorn'd his own, who felt another's woe.

He scorn'd his own, who felt another's woe.

He believed that he was born, not for himself, but for the whole
world.
[Lat., Nec sibi sed read more

He believed that he was born, not for himself, but for the whole
world.
[Lat., Nec sibi sed toti genitum se credere mundo.]

Alas! for the rarity
Of Christian charity
Under the sun.
Oh! it was pitiful!
read more

Alas! for the rarity
Of Christian charity
Under the sun.
Oh! it was pitiful!
Near a whole city full,
Home had she none.

To pity distress it but human; to relieve it is Godlike.

To pity distress it but human; to relieve it is Godlike.