]), on
the other hand, without losing the tone with which the thought of
parental or family love inspires them, assume a higher meaning. In
religious thought they imply an ideal life, as represented by such
expressions as "love (_agape_) of God." This on the one side; and on
the other an ideal social relation, in such words as "love of man."
Thus in the word "charity" religious and social associations meet; and
thus regarded the word means a disciplined and habitual mood in which
the mind is considerate of the welfare of others individually and
generally, and devises what is for their real good, and in which the
intelligence and the will strive to fulfil the mind's purpose. Charity
thus has no necessary relation to relief or alms. To give a lecture,
or to nurse a sick man who is not in want or "poor," may be equally a
deed of charity; though in fact charity concerns itself largely with
the classes usually called "the poor," and with problems of distress
and relief. Relief, however, is not an essential part of charity or
charitable work. It is one of many means at its disposal. If the world
were so poor that no one could make a gift, or so wealthy that no one
needed it, charity--the charity of life and of deeds--would remain.

The history of charity is a history of many social and religious
theories, influences and endeavours, that have left their mark alike
upon the popular and the cultivated thought of the present day. The
inconsistencies of charitable effort and argument may thus in part be
accounted for. To understand the problem of charity we have therefore
(1) to consider the stages of charitable thought--the primitive, pagan,
Greek and Roman, Jewish and Christian elements, that make up the modern
consciousness in regard to charity, and also the growth of the habit of
"charity" as representing a gradually educated social instinct. (2) We
have also to consider in their relation to charity the results of recent
investigations of the conditions of social life. (3) At each stage we
have to note the corresponding stage of practical administration in
public relief and private effort--for the division between public or
"poor-law" relief and charity which prevails in England is,
comparatively speaking, a novelty, and, generally speaking, the work of
charity can hardly be appreciated or understood if it be considered
without reference to public relief. (4) As to the present day, we have
t