Agricultural colonies; Poor -- Great Britain; Salvation Army; Unemployed -- Great Britain
Again, the Scheme is capable of illimitable application. The plaister
can be made as large as the wound. The wound is certainly a very
extensive one, and it seems at first sight almost ridiculous for any
private enterprise to attempt dealing with it. Three millions of
people, living in little short of perpetual misery have to be reached
and rescued out of this terrible condition. But it can be done, and
this Scheme will do it, if it is allowed a fair chance. Not all at
once? True! It will take time, but it will begin to tell on the
restering mass straight away. Within a measurable distance we ought
to be able to take out of this black sea at least a hundred individuals
a week, and there is no reason why this number should not go on
increasing.
An appreciable impression on this gulf of misery would be immediately
made, not only for those who are rescued from its dark waters,
but for those who are left behind, seeing that for every hundred
individuals removed, there is just the additional work which they
performed for those who remain. It might not be much, but still it
would soon count up. Supposing three carpenters are starving on
employment which covered one-third of their time, if you take two away,
the one left will have full employment. But it will be for the public
to fix, by their contributions, the extent of our operations.
The benefits bestowed by this Scheme will be permanent in duration.
It will be seen that this is no temporary expedient, such as, alas!
nearly every effort hitherto made on behalf of these classes has been.
Relief Works, Soup Kitchens, Enquiries into Character, Emigration
Schemes, of which none will avail themselves, Charity in its hundred
forms, Casual Wards, the Union, and a hundred other Nostrums may serve
for the hour, but they are only at the best palliations. But this
Scheme, I am bold to say, offers a substantial and permanent remedy.
In relieving one section of the community, our plan involves no
interference with the well-being of any other.
(See Chapter VII. Section 4, "Objections.")
This Scheme removes the all but insuperable barrier to an industrious
and godly life. It means not only the leading of these lost multitudes
out of the "City of Destruction" into the Canaan of plenty, but the
lifting of them up to the same level of advantage with the more
favoured of mankind for securing the salvation of their souls.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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