former were to be relieved by the authorized collectors, but all are enjoined to maintain themselves if possible. Lastly, the claim of the poor to the portions prescribed is laid down as a positive right.
Principles similar to those laid down by Moses are inculcated in the N. T., as Luke iii, 11; xiv, 13; Acts vi, 1 : Gal. ii, 10 ; Jas. ii, 15. In later times mendican- cy, which does not appear to have been contemplated by Moses, became frequent. Instances actual or hypo- thetical may be seen in the following passages: Mark, x, 46; Luke xvi, 20, 21; xviii, 35; John ix, 8; Acts iii, 2. See Beggar.
But notwithstanding this, the prophets often com- plain of the prevalent hardheartedness towards the poor, and especially of judicial oppression practiced upon them (Isa. x, 2; Amos ii, 7; Jer. v, 28; Ezek. xxii, 29 ; Zech. vii, 10). Among the later Jews kind- ness to the poor was regarded as a prominent virtue (Job xxix, 16; xxx, 25; xxxi, 19 sq. ; Tobit ii, 15; iv, 11; xii, 9; Luke xix, 8), and pharisaic self-righteous- ness often took this form (comp. Matt, vi, 2; Otho, Lex. Rubb. p. 512). See Alms. Beggars, in the proper sense, are unknown in the Mosaic economy (Deut. xv, 4: comp. Miehaelis. Mos. Reeht, ii, 456 sq.), yet such extrem- ity of want is threatened in Psa. cix, 10 as a punish- ment from God. In the New Testament, however, they are mentioned, as Mark x, 46 ; Luke xviii, 35 ; John ix, 8 ; Acts iii, 2, but only in the case of infirm persons.
On the whole subject, besides the treatise above named, see Mishna, Peak, i, 2-5; ii, 7; Pesach. iv, 8; Selden, De Jure Natur. vi, 6, p. 735, etc.; Saalschiitz. Arc/idol. d. Ileb. ii, 256; Miehaelis, vol. ii, § 142, p. 248; Otho, Lex. Rubb. p. 308. See Poverty."
POOR, Christian Care of the. In the early Church great regard was had for those in want. As duly as the Lord's day returned, and as soon as they had brought their sacred duties to a close, the lists of orphans, widows, aged, and poor were produced for con- sideration, and forthwith a donation was ordered out of the funds of the Church. No heart-stirring appeal was necessary to touch the sympathies of the people of God, and no cold calculations of prudence regulated the dis- tribution of alms: wherever there was an object of mis- ery, or a proved necessity, there the treasures of the Church were expended. When the poor in any place were numerous, and the brethren in that place were un- able to afford them adequate support, application was made to some richer Church in the neighborhood; and never was it known that the application was fruitlessly received. After the more complete organization of the Church, the poor had one fourth part in the distribu- tion of the revenues, the other three parts going re- spectively to the bishop, the clergy, and the mainte- nance of the edifice. In Antioch, in the time of Chry- sostom, three thousand poor people were thus provided lor, and half that number were similarly supported at Rome in the days of Cornelius. In times of famine the plate of the church was sometimes melted down to sup- port the poor. How pointedly Ambrose replies to the charge of sacrilege brought against him on this account by the Arians : " Is it not better that the bishop should melt the plate to sustain the poor, when other suste- nance cannot be had, than that some sacrilegious enemy should carry it off by spoil and plunder? Will not our Lord expostulate with us on this account? 'Why did you suffer so many helpless persons to die with famine when you had gold to provide them sustenance? Why were so many captives carried away and sold without redemption ? Why were so many suffered to be slain by the enemy? It had been better to have preserved the vessels of living men than lifeless metals.' What answer can be returned to this? For what shall a man say? I was afraid lest the temple of God should want its ornaments. But Christ will answer, ' My sacra- ments, which are not bought with gold, do not require gold, nor please me the more for being ministered in gold ; the ornament of my sacraments is the redemption
POOR
402
POOR
of captives; and those arc truly precious vessels wliich redeem souls from death.' " The very poor were often placed in the portico ofthe church to ask alms. Severe censure was also directed against those who permitted the poor to starve, or defrauded the Church of those due- which were Bel apart to maintain them. Many instances arc recorded where churches in the early ages
medical care, and a small allowance in money to provide for their food and other wants. Children are either provided for in the homes of tin ir parents, put into asy- lums, or boarded with people of probity, who receive a monthly payment, as in Scotland. The welfare of the* children is superintended by the cures, the mayors, and the sanitarv officers ofthe commune. Foundlings, lu-
of Christianity, after providing for their own poor, gave natics, the blind, the deaf-and-dumb, are provided for by hboring and foreign churches in distant parts, the Btate. Vagrancy is punished, and parents permit- On intelligence of any pressing necessity, ministers and ting children under fourteen to beg are liable to three people would hasten with their treasures to the relief months' imprisonment Able-bodied vagrants are sent ,,t thus,- whom they had never seen, but with whom to houses of correction, and kept to work. Pawnbrok-