CHRISTIAN AND ECONOMIC POLITY OF A NATION, MORE ESPECIALLY WITH REFERENCE TO ITS LARGE TOWNS. BY THOMAS CHALMERS, D.D. & LL.D. PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH, AND CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE ROYAL INSTITUTE OF FRANCE. VOL. II. GLASGOW: WILLIAM COLLINS, SOUTH FREDERICK ST. LONDON: HAMILTON, ADAMS, & CO. THE RIGHT CHRISTIAN AND CIVIC ECONOMY FOR A NATION, WITH A MORE SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ITS LARGE TOWNS. CHAPTER XI. On the Bearing which a right Civic Economy has upon Pauperism. IT will be seen, from the last chapter, that we hold the securities for the relief of indigence, which have been provided by nature, to be greatly better than those artificial securities for the same object, which have been provided by legislation; and that the latter have done mischief, because, instead of aiding, they have enfeebled the former. This matter should have been confided to the spontaneous operation of such sympathy and such principle as are to be found in society, among the individuals who compose it. And when the question is put to us, what is the best system of public management for alimenting the poor, we reply, that the question would come in a more intelligible |