The Washington times., 1895-05-19
Gharikufhaf Springs
from G0ntl6 H6artS
MISS MARY MERRICK FOUNDED
THE CHRIST CHILD SOCIETY.
Catholic Women Give Gener-
ously and Quickly to Suf-
fering Humanity.

The quiet and unostentatious way In
which the members of the Catholic Church
perform acts of charity has at all times
challenged the admiration of the world.
There are organizations iu this city which
spend thousands of dollars annually, and
the people OF Washington know less of
their work than they know OF the missions
OF China.
Needing the solemn warning of the
Master, BE not as the Pharisees, who give
to the poor in the public places, that all
men may see them,' these truly good
people have always been content to remain
unknown. Some of the charities are so
beautiful ana touching, it seems almost
criminal to allow them to remain un-
recognized.
Foremost ia the Christ Child, a society
pathetic in its origin ard in its object
1t owes its existence to the Inspiration of a
noble girl, who, for long years, has been
chained to her bed by paralysis. Its end is
TO furnish outfits Tor all infants, whose
parents are too poor TO purchase them.
The claims of the lame and the blind, of
widows, orphans, ard the aged, have long
since received attention, but the loving
thought to provide for little strangers, who
came into the world often totally unpro-
vided for and sometimes so unwelcome, was
charity hitherto unknown.
Miss Mary Merrick, the daughter of the
late Hon. Richard I. Merrck, is the founder
and for two years she has devoted to it
the greater part of large fortune, inherited
from her distinguished father. Her in
domtable courage and her untiring efforts
have from the beginning won prosperity
and admiration for the cause
rrHr.. H.. f1f-
and in every way it has been pre-eminently
successful No charitable organization in
the District is so far reaching in its results
The Christ Child has no distinction of
creed or color, it works simply to aid
Gods little ones whenever and wherever
they need it.
Miss Merrick is the director From her
couch of pain she cuts out all the work,
and gives it to her assistants; every com
pleted garment is returned to her and as
sorted for distribution. Each member
can obtain an outfit by requesting it, and
as there are always many prepared, no ap-
peal for help is ever disregarded These
outfits consist Of about thirty pieces, all
of good, strong material, and neatly and
daintily sewed.
At Christmas the "Christ Child'' has a
gala time. Not content with its regular
work, 1t sends clothes to all poor chill
dren up to the age of ten. Boxes of toys
aud good things find their way to little
folks that otherwise would think Kris
Kringle the fakir that the wiser genera
ton believe him.
In the last four years the society has
further enlarged its field of usefulness,
and now conducts fresh air fund. Twenty
cbildrenare sent TO large and commoodious
farmhouse, near BranchviIle, Nd, where
for two weeks they get pure, sweet country
air, aud what is equally beneficial, good,
wholesome food.
The members of this society have no par
ucular day or place for meeting. Their
work is done entirely in their own homes.
Perhaps tnis is the secret of success. Be
cause, as a cyuic says: "The ladies, bless
their hearts, are full of good intentions,
but when they meet en- masse to discuss
charity, they find so much of q personal
nature to impart to each other, that poor
charity retires disheartened. -
Lord, have loved the beauty of Thy
house, and the place where thy glory
dweleth," is the watchword of the Taber-
nacle Society, an association composed of
the leading Catholic ladies OF Washington
Like the Christ Child,'' the Tabernacle
Society is attached to no particular par
ish. Its object, as the motto indicates,
is TO adorn the house Of God, aud its prin-
cipal work is making aud donating vest
ments to poor churches.
The Catholic ritual requires certain
amount of ceremonials in all services
In many places the people are unable to
provide these necessities, and consequently
would be deprived of the blessings of their
religion were it not for the work of these
charitable ladies. The founder of this
enterprise is Miss Fannie Whelan, of this
city. At her own expense she spent two
years in France and Italy for the purpose
of learning the intricate art she intended
to teach, for making vestmeuts is not an
easy task, aud itrequires skill and patience
worker.
The Tabernacle Society began life quite
humbly in the old Carroll Institute Hall,
on G street. 1t had small capital aud but