The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-01-06

Among the many charities in Washing
ton, active at this season of the year, one
of the most unique and interesting in the
Christ Child Society, Of the Catholic
Church. It deals entirely with the little
one who, in all climes and ages, have
claimed Christmas as their own. The so
ciety is not generally known, and for this
reason a woman from one of Washing
toms most prominent families has pre-
pared an account of its history and work
One of the most prominent features Of
the Washington branch of the society Is
its work among the italian labOrers,
brought to this city by the work on the
new Union Station and other big build
ing operations. Many of these men can
not speak English, and are taken advan-
tage Of in some instances because they are
not familiar with American customs.
They are perverted and led away, and
men who would, according to their nature
and dispositions, make excellent citizens
become vicious.
The Christ Child Society.
The Christ Child Society had its simple
beginning some twenty years ago, when
Il little girl, thoughtful beyond her age,
resolved to take a part Of her Christmas
money every year to clothe a newborn
babe in the Name of the Divine Child of
Bethlehem. Several Of her young friends
decided to follow her example, and, the
work thus modestly begun has steadily
grown
The society now numbers about 600
members. many Of them prominent in So
cial and diplomatic circles. It's organiza-
ton Is simple and practical There are
eleven committees. each of which has its
special work-visiting, relief instruction,
sewing, and Christmas work, &c
The headquarters Of the society are at
1904 TWenty-sixth street.
There all applications for clothing. when
properly certified by the visiting commit
tee, St. Vincent de Paul Society, or other
charitable organizations, district visiting
nurses. or the city police. receive atten-
ton, irrespective Of creed or color. Be
sides providing layettes for infants, boys
and girls from two To twelve years of
age are furnished with winter clothing,
one of the women members being in at
tendance every Tuesday 20 distribute gar
ments. both old and new. to the needy.
A library of 100 well-selected books is
kept in circulation. the BOYS and girls
have their respective clubs, and the Life
Of Christ classes make the Bible story
vivid with lectures and illustrations.
Has Five Branches.
Besides the headquarters, five other
centers have been established in differ
ent parts Of the city to meet the society's
growing needs. one of the most inter
esting of these is the Italian settlement,
or Madonna House" ut 10 Z street.
Public and private building operations on
a large scale having drawn number Of
Italian laborers 70 Washington, the vel
fare of these strangers, many Of whom
cannot speak English, became another
care Of the Christ Child" The Italian
settlement, with a resident worker, Miss
Boyton. is the result Of the sOcietys eff
forts. Here there are classes for men and
boys three nights in the week, sewing
and basketing classes on Saturdays; there
are mothers meetings and a kindergar-
ten; while a cooking school is shortly
TO be opened The amusement commit
tee. under the direction of Miss Mohnn,
has arranged for IA 'serata." or enter
tainment every month. when StercOpticOn
appreCiative audiences
The needs Of its little clients are not
forgotten by the society during the long
and eneTvatiug summers There is an
fresh air fund" that sends delicate and
COnValesCent children in parties Of ten.
under fitting care. TO a farmhouse thirty
five miles from Washington, where they
enjoy a holiday of two weeks
Organized Charity Too Practical.
Organized charity in these busy, modern
days is necessarily so practical, 50 pro-
sale, that something of the grace, the
beauty, the bIessedness of the old-time
personal giving is lost One of the charms
of the Christ Child" is that il strives
10 supply this lack; that it surrounds its
Christmas work with the sweet poetry
and mystery Of childish tradition. Santa
Claus is its gift-bringer: to him each lit
tie one writes for the toy most desired
doll or drum or sled-and these little
missives, waited mysteriously TO the mem
bers Of the society, are answered prompt
y and generously. Headquarters at
Christmas time are a veritable childish
paradise, stacked from floor to ceiling
with ticketed toys. The Santa Claus cor
respondence last year numbered 200 let
ters
Meanwhile, from an invalid couch the
gentle foundress Of the society watches
and guides the growth of her girlish good
work. that is expanding into greater
beauty and usefulness every year
Branches of the society have been estab-
lished in Baltimore, New York, and Los
Angeles. and the good work promises TO