Life, 1885-08-20 · page 1 of 16
Life — August 20, 1885 — page 1: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Out of the Mouths of Babes" This cartoon satirizes Sunday school instruction on charitable giving. A teacher instructs boys to contribute money to the poor while reciting the biblical maxim "He that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord" and "God loveth a cheerful giver." When asked to contribute, Stephen dutifully places a penny on the collection plate. But Thomas, asked why he hesitates, bluntly responds: "A—a fool and his money are soon parted"—a common proverb questioning the wisdom of giving. The humor lies in the child's practical cynicism undermining the teacher's pious rhetoric. The cartoon mocks both sentimental religious instruction and exposes the tension between moral ideals and everyday skepticism about charity—suggesting even children recognize the contradiction.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VOLUME VI. vis NEW YORK, AUGUST 20, 1885. Entered at New York Post Office as Secoad-Class Mail Matter. eganerceeis’ ke Ten Cents » “Copy OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES. Teacher (to Sunday-school Class): “* NOW, BOYS, IN PLACING YOUR OFFERINGS ON THE PLATE, | WANT EACH TO RECITE SOME APPROPRIATE VERSE.” Stephen (placing a penny on the plate): “HE THAT GIVETH TO THE POOR LENDETH TO THE LorD.” John: “GOD LOVETH A CHEERFUL GIVER.” Teacher : “VERY GOOD.” (To the next boy, who ts inclined to keep his penny): “COME, THOMAS, WHY DO YOU HESITATE? SPEAK LOUD, SO THAT ALL MAY HEAR.” Thomas (reluctantly); “ A—A FOOL. AND HIS MONEY ARE SOON PARTED.” comicbooks.com