The morning call., 1892-12-12
"THE CALLS" cHRIsTnAs BOXES.

The efforts which are now being made
under the auspices of The CALL to system
atize the business of Christmas box giving
will inaugurate a new departure. It may
be briefly described as an effort TO convert
90 amiabe but inutiie custom into a prac-
tical scheme Of broad, general benevolence.
All persons who 1AE afford il make Christ
mas presents to their relatives and to the
children Of their neighborhUod. People of
means spend large sums every year in this
way. a hundred dollars is often the Christ
mas outlay for young lady whose circle of
acquaintance is large. Part of this money
is sensibly expended en- books or pictures
or objects Of utility, but the great bulk Of il
goes for things which are neither beautiful
nor useful and which no one would think of
buying for himself or herself The stores
are full Of kDick-knacks and gewgaws which
are of no earthly value but which cost con.
siderable money. These are bought and
presented to people who are not grateful
for them and who throw them on one side
as soon as Christmas has passed. Even
Christmas cards, which are typically useless
objects and are sent round by the recipients
to others whom they wish TO remember
cost quite a little sum of money if choice
ones are selected. Yet the spirit which
stimulates this Christmas-box giving is
wholesome and kindly and deserves en-
enlargement
The CALL proposes to divide this stream
of generosity and direct part into q channel
in which it may do great good. 1t aims to
direct Christmas boxes into hands which
will be grateful for them and to induce the
donors to select as their donat tons articles
Of utility. There are in this city many
families who would not thank the giver of
Christmas card but who would be CRATE
full for a sack OF COAL There are thousands
Of children who would not look twice at
mechanical toy but who would appreciate
a load Of kindling that would save them
from the duty Of haunting new buildings In
search Of CHIPS. There are many house
holds in which sickness or slack work has
diminished the earnings Of the provder
aud which would be grateful for presents
for the dinner-table. THE CALL invites
those who have means to invest on Christ
mas gifts to devote a rortion Of them to the
purchase of the necessaries Of life. to be
distributed under the direction of its aImoner
among those who are in ueed Of such things.
1t will receive all such articles and place
them where they will do the most good.
1t has already received boxes Of cast-off
clothing, sacks Of potatoes, flour and oat-
meal, rams of tomatoes and jellles, medi-
cines. toys. hooks and games. baby food.
dried fruits. tea, coal, coffee. sugar. maca-
roni, biscuits, beans, raisins, hams, apples,
bacon. vegetables. cheese, Goldfish, new
clothing and money. The donations con-
tinue day by day. and will probably reach
considerable amount by Christmas On the
other hand applications for Christmas boxes
are pouring in from persons who are in
want. in consequence of deaths, sickness.
or temporary priyation of work. These are
being verified as fast as possible and when
they are found accurate and the parties de-
serving they will ali receive something as
far as The resources Of the bureau will
permit.
This plan will make the Christmas box
really boon and will impose no new tax
on the resources of the donors. A little less
money will be spent on eewgaws and a
little more on feeding the hungry and cloth
ing the naked. Is not that ganful sub
stitution?
The science of public benevolence has
made strides of late years, but it is very far
from having reached fnality. The street
beggar has been abolished and simulta-
neousIy it is made certain that no one IN any
American city need go hungry if he has the
use of his eyes, his legs and his tongue.
But the problem of relieving the sufferer
who is temporarily embarrassed by death,
sickness or want OF work. and who is too
shamefaced to apply to the poorhouse is
yet unsolved. There are families in this
city whose children often 60 hungry be-
cause the father is dead, or crippled, or out
OF work. He is too proud to beg. Yet 1t Is
the duty of good Christian people to see
that these children are fed. 1t is In part
performance of that duty that The CALL
has established its Christmas Box Bureau.