Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-12-05
MRS. NARY N. NORTH
A Snow Hill Lady Who Is
President Of The Maryland
Sunshine Society. A Praise
worthy Organization.

worthy Organization.
Mrs. Mary M. North, wife of Pastor
Joseph B. North of Mackenzie Memorial
Presbyterian Church, of Snow Hill,
the President of the Maryland Sunshine
Society. is endeavoring to establish a
branch of the organization in every
county in the State. The society in
Maryland has been in existence about
four years, and the work of organizing
in the towns and counties is progressing
steadily. Hundreds of members have
already been enrolled. AS the holidays
approach the work takes on an added
interest, for there will be many empty
stockings to fill. and this is one form of
the pledge which is religiously kept.
The international society had it's birth
several years ago in newspaper office
in New York from little deeds of kind
ness passed on from one employee to an
other until the circle widened, and now
the whole world is embraced in the belt
of sunshine.
At first there was no thought of Or
ganization. but as the idea spread it was
found to be an absolute necessity to have
name and finally constitution. At
first the society was called the Shut-In,
but later it was found that there was an
organization bearing that name. so on
January 10, 1896, the name was changed
to the one it now bears. Mrs. Cynthia
Westover Alden was the originator of
the idea, and from the first has been the
PRESIDENT general.
Among the members are found those
of mature age working hand in hand
with tiny tots who have just learned
the pleasure of giving. All who desire
to brighten the lives of others are eligi-
BILE, whether they be rich or poor. Ali
all ages and all classes, in cities or out
on the prairies. may share the spirit of
the society if they will, as the only con.
dition for membership is that some good
deed shall emanate from them and their
life shall brighten another life.
The International Sunshine Society is
an incorporated body. It has a badge.
which is "a silver shield bearing the mon.
ogram upon the face Il. S. s."
The colors adopted were yellow and
white. the first symbolic of the sunshine,
the second typical of the purity of pur-
pose which should characterize each
member engaged in the work. The
flower chosen is the coreopsis, yellow
perennial belonging to the daisy family,
which grows almost everywhere, even
under the most adverse circumstances
and takes care of itself, and is really a
fitting emblem of the sunshine, which
sometimes disappears, it is true, but is
sure to be revealed again, and which
cannot be quenched. The motto is
Good Cheer" and the members all try
to exemplify it in their lives and acts.
The organization is not in any sense a
charitable one, but does good deeds be-
cause it is right and elevating to do so.
There are branch societies in every State
and territory in the Union and in near
ly every foreign country. Every State
has president.
The watchword of the organization is:
Have you had a gladness shown,
Pass it on;
Twas not given for you alone,
Pass it on;
Let it travel down the years,
Let it wipe another's tears,
Till in Heaven the deed appears,
Pass it on.