The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-01-01
Christmas at the Aims House.

To the People of Carroll County:
''Inasmuch as We have done it unto one of
the least of these, my brethren, we have done
it unto me- This was the text of our appeal
for assistance in providing the inmates of our
County Aims House with little of the bright
ness of the Christmas season, and the liberal
responses proved that there are many who
recognize in our poor those of whom Christ
was speaking and whom he called his breth
rem. AT 2.30 p. IN. on Monday, December
9th, there were assembled in the little room
which we call "our chapel all of the inmates,
with the exception of five sick men who were
unable to leave their rooms. In the adjon-
ing room was seated an interested audience
OF some Of Westminster's best citizens, whose
faces showed their sympathy and interest and
whose voices helped in the beautiful Christ
mas carols which were sung, to the great de-
light of the inmates. The pretty service con
sisted Of a CAROL ''He Has Gomez prayer by
Rev. VIM. A. Grouse; CAROL ''Story of Long
Ago. scripture reading, Rev. Joel Brown,
pastor of the NJ. E. Church: Carol. "Christ is
Born Misses Bessie Herr and Mamie
Rinker; recitation, Lillian Shipley; hymn,
''The best friend to have is jesus address,
Rev. W. R. Graham, d. D., pastor of the NJ.
P. Church, carol, "Glory to God on High,
with solo by Miss Blanche Bennett. The dis
tribution of gifts followed, after which all
united in reciting the Lords Prayer and were
dismissed with the benediction by Rev. Dr.
Graham. Our only regret was the fact that
all who SO kindly aided us in giving this pleas
IRE could not be present to see the happy.
fearful faces and hear the tervent God bless
you and all our kind friends which came
from so many thankful hearts. Every woman
was given a pair Of stockings, an apron and a
handkerchief and every man a warm pair of
socks, handkerchief and package of
tobacco nearly all of which, with the excep-
ton of the tobacco, were donated by our
liberal hearted Young merchants, j. II. Orn-
derff's Sons. W. F. Derr and Miller Bros.
Special gifts Of little trifes to brighten their
rooms or pretty work bags supplied with nee
dies and thread and a bountiful supply of
cake, fruit and confectionery were supplied
by others of our citizens and Christmas brought
blessings to both those who ministered and
those who were ministered unto. The pres
ence of Mrs. Emanuel Shaeffer, former
stewardess, who is much loved by the Older
inmates, added greatly to the enjoyment.
The sick were visited and made happy with
prettily arranged baskets of fruit and other
dainties
The following contributed literally, and
through these columns we return the heartfelt
thanks of the recipients of their bounty as
well as of our entire committee. Cash dona
tions-Mrs Longwell, Mr.. r. w. Mather,
Mrs. Louisa Smith, Mr. William Coon. Miss
Vanderford, Mrs. Isaac Bale, Western Mary
land College Sunday School, Mr.. d. n. Hen
ming. Mr. William Struth. Miss Dorothy Nc
Daniel, Mrs. W. R. Graham, Westminster;
Mr. Frank Geatty, New Windsor; Mrs. Nit
ten, Wakefield; Mrs. Manahan, near West
Minister Gifts, confectionery cake and fruit
Mrs. Maulsby, Mrs. VIM. Coon, Mrs. J. A.
C. Bond, Mrs Mary Wilson, Miss May Gard
ner, Mrs. Crapster, Mrs. Eliza Shreeve, Miss
Nettie Shreeve, Miss Amanda Stewart, Mrs.
Emanuel Shaeffer, Miss Annie Albaugh Mrs.
Harry Allison, Mrs. J. W. Baldwin, Himler
Bros, Albaugh & Babylon, Joseph Shreeve,
J. D. Bowers. Miss Lizzie Herr, Mr.. F. X.
Herr, DR.. C. Bilingslea, Mrs. DR.. Shipley,
Miss Blanche Bennett, Mrs. U. l.. Reaver,
Miss Lille Woodward, Mr.. Townsend, Mrs
Erb, Mrs. Jesse Shreeve, Miss 10. Hahn,
Mrs. Rinker, Miss Eva Rinker, Mrs. She'll
man, Miss Lottie Moore, Mrs. James Turtle;
Miss Blanche Baer, Mrs. James Baer, Tan
merry. The following very unexpected letter
was received too late for Christmas, bat just
in time to gladden. our hearts with the means
to purchase much wished for hymn books for
our Sunday services and some very much
needed articles for these who are sick and
afflicted. Coming as it does from a native of
Cuba, who spent few months here as a stu
dent at Western Maryland College some years
ago. it has an added value, from the fact that
from an island already overwhelmed with sor-
row it comes as friendly message, full of
sympathy to others, The letter was as fol-
lows
MATASZAS CUBA, December 2lr 1897.
Miss Mary b. Shelman, Westminster, Md
My Dear Friend Il have read your appeal in
behalf of the poor at the Aims House, in the Amer
lean Sentinel, of which enclose the Slip and wish
ing to contribute towards the gifts offered them
at Christmas l herewith hand You draft, your
order on --- for ten dollars, L. s. currency,
which please accept with my best wishes for a
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Your friend, PETER LAMOTHE.
Allow us to close this report with the words
of the Saviour in LowelPs beautiful poem.
''The Vision of Sir Launfall ::
"The holy supper is kept indeed
In whatso we share with anOthers need;
Not what we give, but what we share,
For the gift without the gver is bare;
Who gives himself, with his aims feeds three
Himself, his hungering neighbor and me-
MARY B. SHELI.MAN,
MAMIE RINKER,
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