I do not myself see the objection
to their thinking so. I am by no means sure that they do; but I am
convinced that they look for a motive, and it seems to me better that
they should believe the object of missionary work to be proselyting--I
think that that was the word--than that they should embrace the too
prevalent and most dangerous idea that charity is a bribe from the rich
to keep the poor quiet. There is not a little feeling nowadays that
philanthropy is encouraging socialism. The poor echo incendiary orators
in saying that the rich dole out a little of what they know to belong
to the poor so that they may be allowed to keep the rest unmolested. I
believe that this feeling is a menace to the State, and that
philanthropy which nourishes such a belief is working hand in hand with
treason."
He paused a moment, and there arose a faint murmur. Ashe looked at his
companion, and encountered a glance which seemed to express something
of his own surprise at the boldness of Father Frontford's words. That
the speaker should be uncompromising was to be supposed, but this was
an attitude unexpected and astonishing.
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