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.