—­The Doctrine of Charity, n. 150

THE MAN OF CHARITY

Every man who looks to the Lord and shuns evils as sins, if he sincerely, justly and faithfully performs the work which belongs to his office and employment, becomes an embodiment of charity.

—­The Doctrine of Charity, VII

In common belief charity is nothing else than giving to the poor, succoring the needy, caring for widows and orphans, contributing to the building of hospitals, infirmaries, asylums, orphanages, and especially churches, and to their decoration and income.  But most of these things are not the proper activities of charity, but extraneous to it.  A distinction is to be made between the duties of charity, and its benefactions.  By the duties of charity those exercises of it are meant, which proceed directly from charity itself.  These have to do primarily with one’s occupation.  By the benefactions those aids are meant which are given outside of, and over and above the duties.

—­True Christian Religion, n. 425

THE ACTIVITY OF CHARITY

Charity is an inward affection, moving man to do what is good, and this without recompense.  So to act is his life’s delight.

The life of charity is to will well and to do well by the neighbor; in all work, and in every employment, acting out of regard to what is just and equitable, good and true.  In a word, the life of charity consists in the performance of uses.

—­Heavenly Doctrine, nn. 106, 124

FAITH THE PARTNER OF CHARITY

Neither charity alone nor faith alone can produce good works, any more than a husband alone or a wife alone can have offspring.  The truths of faith not only illuminate charity, but qualify it, too; and, moreover, they nourish it.  A man, then, who has charity and not truths of faith, is like one walking in a garden in the night-time, snatching fruit from the trees without knowing whether it is of a good or evil use.

—­True Christian Religion, n. 377

THE PATRIOTISM OF CHARITY

One’s country is the neighbor more than a society, for it consists of many societies, and consequently the love of it is a more extended and a higher love.  Besides, to love one’s country is to love the public welfare.  A man’s country is the neighbor because it is like a parent; for there he was born; it has nourished and still nourishes him; it has protected him from harm, and still protects him.  From love for it he ought to do good to his country according to its needs, some of which are natural, and others spiritual.  The country ought to be loved, not as a man loves himself, but more than himself.  This is a law inscribed on the human heart.  And from the law has issued the