Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1906-02-23

An Organization Which Brings Coo
Cheer Into Darkened Hearts.

Among the many societies orxsn.
lied by the generous men and women
OF to-day for the welfare and happi-
ness OF others none has quite 80 inter.
esting q history and unique q charac-
ter as the International Sunshine 50.
ciety.
1t 10 so broad In its scope that Il
embraces all the charities. yet 10 n
itself no sense . charity, but an inter.
change OF kindly greeting and the
passing on Of good cheer, material or
otherwise. Sunshiners do not labor
under any rules, but there Ii always
the personal touch OF sympathy which
means SO much to the unfortunate
man or woman to whom fate hrs
seemed unkind.
A more appropriate name could NOT
have been found for the society. tho
members Of which pledge themselves to
bring sunshine into the lives Of
others; to do something each day to
tighten someone's burden; to speak
the cheerful word that may bring n4w
hope, new life and energy; to take No.
tice Of the lonely; to do the little acts
of kindness, thoughtfulnesD and
generosity that manifest the huma1,
sympathetic interest in ones fellow
creatures.
Opportunities for doing kindness
are often lost for lack Of thought: tho
members Of the Sunshine Society
strive to cultivate the habit Of sym
lpathy that will give them . keener
grasp and a deeper understanding Of
the lives Of those around them.
f~k~ T. L. hat
are no salaries paid. Tho president-
general, every minor of1cer and mem
Der gives his or her services. Mvsn
the necessary clerical work II freely
donated. Tho personal sacrifices that
every o6lcer and member makes q
carry on the work cannot be estimated
Its Origin and Growth.
The Society was Incorporated under
the laws Of New York In 1900 and -
day there are 100000 enrolled mennr
bers.
The Society ID the outgrowth Of :
thought expressed by Mrs. Cynthia
Westover Alden In the once Of thoI
New York Recorder several years 40
during the holiday season. Mrs. AIden
was the recipient Of q number Of caro1
from her co-workers on the paper -
we'll a. outside friends. After enjoy
ing tho cards, she protested that nhe
would have been better pleased Il tno
donors had not written their names On
them. This statement Mortified her
audience and with one accord every
one exclaimed:
What! You wouldn't give our peesr
aufu auov would VIM Su
why not?'' was the answer
What do you do with yoursf'
A laughing investigation soon devel-
oped the fact that the waste basket
was the ultimate destination OF most
of the cards received.
Let me give you the history Of cne
pretty ten-cent card that came to mo
= year ago" said Mrs. Alden. 1T had
an exquisite poem on It, and ! enjoyed
1t SO much that ! thought at once Of
an old uncle who would appreciate e
and forwarded IL to him. He. ~ I
thought, did enjoy It. and 80 much
so that he Immediately recalled an old
friend to whom 1t would appeal with
special force. So he copied the poem
and sent the card on. This recipient
found the card SO helpful that She
too, felt called upon to pass II on ana
before the seven days holiday Wa
over the card had carried its Christ
mas message to six different persona
OF course this is exceptional, but y
still an example Of the infinite possi-
bilities Of a gift accepted In the true
spirit and then passed on. giving eac1
one the double delight Of receiving ana
giving"
The cards which had afforded tho
little sermon were spread out and were