Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1908-03-11


1900, under the laws of the State Of
New York. Through tho courtesy Of
Edward Box. editor of The Ladies'
Home Journal, valuable space in this
publication is devoted exclusively to
is edited by the President General
and founder Of the International
Sunshine Society, Mrs. Cynthia West
over Alden.
TO the questions SO often asked
How did the Sunshine Society origi-
nate?" what is its ohject?" What
has it accomplishment" and "How do
you do the work?" the following an
swers are made: During the holidays
several years ago, the President-Gen-
eral was the recipient of a number of
cards from her co-workers on the
New York Recorder, rs well as from
outside friends. On Christians Day
she pr testeu, and said that, while
she enjoyed her gifts, she would have
had infinitely more pleasure in their
receipt il the donors had not written
their Iames on them. This state
mont Mortified her audience who with
one accord exclaimed:
what! You wouldn't give your
presents away, would you?"
why not?" was the answer "What
do you do with yours?" laughing
investigation soon developed the fact
that the waste-basket was the ulti-
mate destination Of most of the cards
received. Some spent few months
tackled on the wall, until fly-specked
and discolOred; others were Used DIS
bookmarks until lop-eared; then all
were thrown away without having
given an additional ray of sunshine
to any one beyond the immediate re-
cipient.
Suppose you take the history Of
one pretty ten-cent card that came to
me year ago. said the President
General. "It had an equisito little
poem on 1t. and l enjoy it so much
that | thought at once o. an old uncle
who would appreciate it, and for
warded it to him. He, as l thought
he would, did enjoy it, and so much
that he Immediately recalled another
old friend to whom it would appeal
with special force. So he copied the
poem, and sent the card on. This
recipient found the sentiment so
sweet that she, too, felt caiied upon
to pass it on, and before the seven
days holiday was over, the card had
carried its Christmas message to six
diff. ent people. or course, this is
an exception, but still 1t Is an exam
d
gift If accepted in the true spirit and
then passed on, giving each one the
double delight Of receiving and CIV
ing"
The cards which had offered the
text for the little sermon were then
spread out and their possibilities dis
CusSed. Here was a dainty one with
q great cluster of royal purple pan
sizes. Mrs. So-and-So loves pansies,"
and it might have been sent on to
her If it hadn't been marked all over.
Again, a group Of cunning little pus-
sizes that would have just been the
needed amusing" but that. too, was
carefully marked with the name of
the sender, and thus spoiled for pass
Ing on.
Inspired with this idea Of sending
out remembrances that might be null
tiplied four-fold, a new set of cards
was given by the staff to the Presi-
dent-General, who Immediately sent
them all out again. The thanks re-
ceived for these cards were so pretty
that an item was made of 1t in the
New York Recorder. This caused
further correspondence. and resulted
In club for the exchange Of friendly
greetings. The name "Chat" was at
time the membership grew so large
that club badge and the motto,
Good Cheer" were selected. and the
name "Shut-In" given to the lociety.
On January Is, 1896, the name
of the society was changed to the
Sunshine Society. This change was
made because of conflict with a shut
in society organized in 1884. Chang
ing the word "Shut-in to Sunshine
did not Interfere with the club motto
or pin.
The Sunshine Society ,s fast gain
ing ground in South Carolina. The
Sunday State has a Sunshine column,
whcro appeals are made and answer
ed promptly by "Sunshincr" and the
readers. The society is we'll suited
for Friday afternoons in rural
schools, where the children are
taught to do a kindness, learn songs,
recite helpful pieces. 1t is endorsed
By leading educators. Any teacher
wishing to organize a circle should
write State Headquarters, r. f. ID.
No. l, Box IS, Westminster, S. G.
The society is doing a great work in
South Carolina. We wish the names
OF all "shut-ins" in South Carolina.
When names ere sent in for real
help the call should be signed by
three good citizens. Good cl.cer is
sent all. If any one does good
deed or kindness to q Sunshiner, he
Is required to do some one else one.
pass it on is the Sunshine aim.
We help people to help themselves.
We wish the cooperation of teachers.
We want the teachers to collect and
''pass on" good reading to the chill
dren and parents. The society will
furnish the magazines If you will
"'pass them on"
Miss Marye r. Shelor,