The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-01-04
Christmas Al the Aims Hm,se

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Correspondence of the Democratic Advocate.
through the efforts of few ladies, aided
by generous contributions frem number of
the citizens and merchants of Westminster.
CHRISTMAS brought more than its usual share
OF JOY and brightness to the inmates of our
county Aims House, and they were made to
feel that the song the Angels sang, of Peace
on Earth. good will to men" had a meaning
for even them, dependent though they must
be upon the bounty Of others during the re-
naming days Of their lives. On Christmas
Day the Steward, Mr.. Hahn, served to them
a dinner of turkey, with its Accomplishments,
and on the day following, the treat, which had
been prepared for them by the ladies' com.
mittee, was given them, thus making two
bright and happy days to be remembered in
Christmas week of 1895. The committee
were Miss Mary B. Shellman chairman, Mrs.
Charles Billingslea, Misses Alice Huber,
Mamie Rinker. Mamie Gait and Lille Wood
ward. These ladies enlisted Mrs. john L.
Reifsnider and Miss Sallie Roop as assistants
who rendered valuable aid in preparing and
distributing the numerous packages. The
young men of the College Christian Associa-
ton, who conduct the Sunday afternoon SER
vices, were absent on their vacation, so were
unable to be present. Mr.. Jacob Thomson
kindly conveyed the committee, with their
numerous packages, to and from the Aims
House, and at the appointed hour, 2 p. M,
they found nearly all of the forty-two inmates
neat and clean, patiently waiting for them in
the large dining-room, where the following
programme was rendered, a number of ladies
from Westminster being present and assisting
in the singing: Carol, ''It came upon the
midnight clear; prayer, Rev. Joel Brown,
pastor Centenary NJ. E. Church; carol, ''Silent
Night, Holy Night, reading, Miss Kittie
Noel; carol, "Wonderful Night readings.
Misses Louise Reifsnider and Elizabeth Sterl-
ing; vocal Duet, ''Carol, Brothers, Carroll
Misses Ida and Maggie Lockard; reading, by
Miss Lille Woodward, of an original poem
written by Miss Mary b. Shelman; address,
Rev. Evan Edwards; carol, "The Morn in
Beauty Breaketh;'' benedieton, Rev. A. d.
Melvin, pastor of NJ. P. Church.
At the close of this programme, another of
different nature, but perhaps more attractive
to some, was given. This consisted of the
distribution of gifts, every one receiving
bound Bibles, and the sick and in6rm, soft
cushions for their chairs, and baskets of
temptingly arranged fruit. The wishes of all
had been carefully considered and gratifed as
far as possible, under the guidance of the
ladies of the committee, and Misses Grace
Gorsuch, Matte Heck and Carrie Hor-
ner, of the Sunday afternoon choir;
the children present, Misses Rosie, Esther
and Hazel Hahn, Louise Reifsnider,
Elizabeth Sterling, Caroline and Sue Bill
lingslea, served as gift bearers, and added
to the value of the gifts with their bright
smiles and pleasant greeting. In addition to
their gifts, each received generous package
of cake, nuts, fruit and confectionery. Every
room was visited, and in each Christmas
token was left to gladden. the inmates. The
thanks of the committee are heartily given to
the following persons who aided SO greatly
with their contributions: Cash donations
Mrs. ]. K. Longwell, Mrs. W. P. Maulsby,
Mrs. Sallie Crout, Miss Kittie Noel, Mr..
David Stoner, Mr.. John Burt, Mr.. C. Stoner,
Mr.. N. /. Gorsuch, Mr.. C. G. Gorsuch, j.. A.
C. Bond, ESQ.,, Mr.. VIM. Struth, and friend
through Mrs. Charles Billingslea, Westmin
ster, and Mrs. James H. Frazer, Baltimore;
confectionery, Messrs. G. w. Morningstar,
w. I. Wilson, d. A. Farrer, E. o. Grimes,
John ]. Reese and ]. Shreeve; fruit and nuts,
Mr.. W; Keefer; fruit Messrs. W; and L.
Brach, Prot. and Mrs. Mcdaniel, Mrs. d. A.
Shipley, Misses Mamie Gait and Lille Wood
ward; cake, Mrs. T. H. Lewis, Mrs. John L.
Reifsnider, Miss Katie Smith, Miss Amanda
Murray, Mrs. Eliza Shreeve, Miss Ida Lock
ard, Mrs E. Shaeffer, Mrs. William Cunning
ham, Mrs Mackley, Mrs. C. Billingslea, Mrs.
Edwards, Mrs. George Parke, Miss Lottie
Moerey contributors to the gift basket, Mrs.
John l.. Reifsnider, Miss Louise Reifsnider,
Mrs. Katherine Shellman, Mrs. Charles I.
Reifsnider, Miss Carrie Horner, Mrs. D. A.
Shipley, Miss May Gardner, Miss Mamie
Rinker, Miss Alice Huber, Miss Grace Cor
such, Miss Matte Hook, Ornderff' S Sons, NJ.
Schneebergsr, Miller Bros, Theodore Derr &
Son, Sharrer Bros. and John 7. Anders.
Bibles and reading matter were contributed by
the Prisoners Aid Association of Baltimore,
through Rev. L. F. Zinkhan, carol with
music, Prof. H. Sanders. of Sanders & Stay
man, Baltimore, and programmes with words
of carol by Carroll Record"
The responses to our appeal for assistance
were so generous, that the committee were
enabled to save portion of the money con-
which will be used in the purchase
of new and desirable hymn books for use in
the Sunday services The merchants who
contributed at Thanksgiving were not asked
to give to the Christmas festival. In the
name of those who were made happy by this
Christmas treat, and in the name Of the entire
return sincere thanks TO all.
MARY BosTwIc SHELLMAN,
0rganist Aims Honse Com.