CHARIT

1 definition found

From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:

  CHARITY. In its widest sense it denotes all the good affections which men 
  ought to bear towards each other; 1 Epistle to Cor. c. xiii.; in its most 
  restricted and usual sense, it signifies relief to the poor. This species of 
  charity is a mere moral duty, which cannot be enforced by the law. Kames on 
  Eq. 17. But it is not employed in either of these senses in law; its 
  signification is derived chiefly from the statute of 43 Eliz. c. 4. Those 


  purposes are considered charitable which are enumerated in that act, or 
  which by analogy are deemed within its spirit and intendment. 9 Ves. 405; 10 
  Ves, 541; 2 Vern. 387; Shelf. Mortm. 59. Lord Chancellor Camden describes a 
  charity to be a gift to a general public use, which extends to the rich as 
  well as to the poor. Ambl. 651; Boyle on Charities, 51; 2 Ves. sen. 52; 
  Ambl. 713; 2 Ves. jr. 272; 6 Ves. 404; 3 Rawle, 170; 1 Penna. R. 49 2 Dana, 
  170; 2 Pet. 584; 3 Pet. 99, 498 9 Cow. 481; 1 Hawks, 96; 12 Mass. 537; 17 S. 
  & R. 88; 7 Verm. 241; 5 Harr. & John. 392; 6 Harr. & John. 1; 9 Pet. 566; 6 
  Pet. 435; 9 Cranch, 331; 4 Wheat. 1; 9 Wend. 394; 2 N. H. Rep. 21, 510; 9 
  Cow. 437; 7 John. Cb. R. 292; 3 Leigh. 450; 1 Dev. Eq. Rep. 276; 4 Bouv. 
  Inst. n. 3976, et seq.