The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1914-11-06
The Christmas Ship
News and Courier.

rOT tne IdSt I1OHtu VI 50 TtMS-
papers all over the country have
been filled with stories of the
Christmas Ship, the ship that is to
carry ray of sunshine into the
clouded lives of the war orphans of
Europe. All over this broad land
from coast to coast, up and down its
borders and in and out it's cities and
towns and villages the news has
travelled that a wonder ship laden
with Christmas cheer would sail
from this land of peace to foreign
shores, beyond which lie war and
desolation and starvation and the
wreckage of homes which but few
short months ago echoed with the
laughter of happy children Now
the war clouds have rolled up with
amazing swiftness and buried in
their shadows the homes of thous-
ands of little ones who have been
forced to seek refuge in strange
lands. Far removed from all famil-
lar scenes these small soldiers of for
tunes are called upon to face prob
lens which would bring despair to
the hearts Of brave men and women.
True it is, the responsibility will not
weigh heavily upon them for any
length of time because youth and
immaturity acknowledge no respon-
sibility that cannot be shifted at
pleasure, but they will know and
realize as only little children can
the absence OF their good friend
Santa Claus, or St. Nicholas, as he
is known to many of them, when
Christmas comes around Just be-
cause they have been forced to
leave their homes will be no salts
factory reason to them for his fail
ure to make his annual call, and it
seems to us that there is no sorrow
quite so pitiful as child's disap-
pointment over an empty Christmas
stocking
1t was tender thought a "gol-
den thought" as someone has ex-
pressed it, which prompted the ed
lJor of theeChicago Herald to start
the movement for Christmas
ship and the generous response
which it has met is to the lasting
credit of the American public.
There can be no question of wheth-
er the people of this community can
do as much. but rCther how much
they can do. Times are hard, it is
true, but that makes little difference
when the Christmas happiness of
children is at stake, and for the sake
of our own little ones safe in their
homes and happy in the thought of
coming of another Christmas season
lot us make a sacrifice and give gen
erously of our means to gladden. the
hearts of some of the fatherless,
homeless children of Europe. Thou
sends OF stockings will be stored
away in the hold of the good ship
Jason when il leaves the Brooklyn
dock on November 10, and il will be
pleasant memory to carry with us
through life to know th"t some
where tucked away in one of those
precious stockings will be cift OF
ours TO brighten little chld's life.
or course IL is not possible to reach
every child in Europe who has been
orphaned by the war but at least an
earnest effort will be made to bring
ray OF Christmas sunshine into as
many fatherless little hearts as is
possible. The movement has taken
wide shape in many states, Texas,
we are told, having contributed a
million quarter-pound packages of
nuts. The National Federation OF
Women's Clubs is doing fine work
among its members to further the
good cause and from the reports
which have been received from var
ious sources the Jason's cargo will
be heavy one. Indeed, Charleston
will do her part, OF course, but she
must act promptly for the time is
short and the opportunity may not
come again. We are as a rule, ac-
tuated by generous impulses and the
desire TO be of service to others, but
many of us, either through careless
ness or lack of initiative, neglect Ito
put our wishes into effect and
thereby lose many cherished oppor.
tunities OF doing good We cannot
afford to be indifferent on this occa.
sion, however, and the realization
of the pitiable plight of the thou.
sands of hnvs and girls nnnn uhnnr