The Washington times., 1914-07-01
Bv MISS LEoN1DE DELARUE.


No one who knows the origin and
operations Of the Christ Child So
ciety can believe that the age OF
miracles is past. Born in the heart
OF a chiIG. out of tender regard for
the helplessness of the Babe in the
manger at Bethlehem, this society
has for its governing power this same
sympathsti2 child. now come TO wo-
manhood. and, as the result of an
accident, Lecome an Invalid who has
not quilted her couch for twenty
years and who all along has been
the inspiring power of the admirable
organization she had planned.
This president, unable to lift her
head from her pillow, governs a
vast body of workers. outlines every
plan, constantly extending, deepen
ing and widening the operations or
the society. She leads its hosts from
victory to victory, sereneiy independ-
ent of the sntters of scientific char
ty; to her leadership, every unit OF
the organization responds with
soldier-likc promptness and precl-
sion. and not so much as a manuel
of "Parliau entary practice" is ever
in sight at any meeting to hack the
authority of 4 great inspiration. for
that is the miracle of the Christ
Child Society and of the very lie
of the wonderful woman at its head,
Miss Mary Virginia Merrick, daugh-
ter of the late Richard T. Merrick.
once prominent Washington lawyer.
Thoughts From a Couch.
About twenty years ago, Miss Mer-
rick, an invalid. then in her teens.
lay on her couch, wearily watching
The snow fall, thinking OF the ap-
parently useless life before, her-of
the broken body never again to
make a perfect whole but she had
been gifted with a sunny nature and
could not long remain in gloom. Be
sides, Christmas was coming. There
was magic in the word for the
Christ child was coming to touch
carth's paths and make them sweet.
AS che thought of the Babe Of Beth
lehem. born in a manager, she longed
Ia c'Ner His tiny limbs and shield
Him from the cold; and thus awoke
in her heart the mother love for
every wailing, naked infant, who
that moment seemed to call to her to
help them for His sake. Il shall
clUthe them ALL" she said, and in
her arms she EMBODIED them then and
there. and therc were dark heads
and light heads. and blue eyes and
gray. all s.-Uggling in he- arms, and
resting on her COucil-reRlly there
was not room for all she would
help.
The Society's Birth.
So young, so frail so helpless,
strength came to her to equal her
desire" Instantly she went to work
with a needle and thread and BITS
of soft stuffs. Sisters and friends
and nurse were pressed in TO ser
vice TO help, and the first layette
for the Christi Child to bestOw on
Christmas day was begun. When
at last il lay complete. dainty and
warm and comfortable a friend who
knew and loved the poor. was sent
for and the outfit exhibited.
For the poorest baby in Wash
ington," said the invalid. and be
sure and say the Christ Child sent
it.
Thus. the Christ Child Society
came into existence. The friend
who had been called in. told the in
valid and her young associates of
a poor mother, to whom the layette
paration had been made for the eX-
pected one; the father was i'll and
dying and the mother. Overburden-
ed with work and grief. had five
hungry little mouths to feed and not
enough for all
AS the young invalid listened, the
five ragged urchins lifted up their
eager faces before her and again
she heard the voices of the children
calling TO her, but the laughter she
was used TO hearing in the voices
Of the young, broke into a sob. for
the burden OF life already pressed
heavily on their young shoulders
Christmas was coming and the Christ
Child had come for all and still
these children sobbed.
Letters Are Received.
Tell them each to write a letter
to the Christ Child. asking for what
they want most, and we shall answer
all. and We shall clothe them, too,
as we'll as the baby"
And give them shoes. too.' sug-