Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-12-27

Three million people Of northern
France and Belgium look to rich anu
prosperous America for clothing, rail-
ing which they must suffer the great
er miseries, illness and mortality
which come from exposure to cold
Every week supplies are going 10
them from the Commission for Relief
in New York city. but the need Tor
more is desperate as the cold IN
creases. You have those nearer home
to care for, We know, but many. very
many, Of those whom we pity here,
have never known the restitution that
pinches the bodies and benumbs the
hearts Of millions in Europe today.
Did you ever try to imagine the &C
tual horrors that would prevail in
America, if millions Of homes were
destroyed and millions Of heads OF
families killed, MANNED or otherwise
disabled, industries and traffic demol-
ished or demoralized, live stock killed
for armies of the foe. families scat
tered and fleeing like rats for the near
est hole-could you close your eyes
and think Of these things? And if you
did. would you not thank God for
peace and crust? Would you not be
ready to give your last dime to ward
off such calamity from our land?,
Than can we not richly afford to
give little from our plenty to re-
lieve. in some small degree. the suffer-
ing Of those who are just as innocent
OF desire for blood as We are?
Let US remember that the ones who
suffer the most from its results are not
the ones who make war.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox. the noted
writer, appeals for the Belgians:
BROTHERHOOD.
tBy Ella Wheeler WiicoxD
God. what a world. if men in street and
mart.
Felt that same kinship of the human
heart.
Which makes them. in the face Of fire
and food.
Rise to the meaning Of True Brother
hood.
The Commission for Relief III Bel
gum has been reinforced by commit
tee appointed by President Wilson.
This committee Is making a nation
wide Christmas appeal for the desti-
tute women and children of Belgium
and Northern France. There are three
million women and children who are
suffering from cold and hunger, des-
tltute, war refugees. Many OF these
people were reared in comfort and
some If them in luxury. In a day. in
a fer hours, war deprived them OF all
their possessions. Home. clothing,
means Of income, We're all swept away
from them.
At this distance ii requires strong
ina gtnation 70 picture the misery of
these people. But the facts are incon-
trovertible. Every individual who is
able 10 enjoy good meal on Christ
mas Day should feel il d solemn duty
to enclose a dollar bill in the dinner
table envelope which will be passed
about on Christmas Day through the
efforts of the Commission for Relief in
Belgium. Good. reliable. honest men
compose this committee and there is
no reason 70 fear that the money
donated will not reach its proper des-
tination.
Give what you can, but give some
thing. you Will never be the poorer.
and some little child or some poor
mother will receive the comfort Of d
pair Of shoes or a warm garment
through your contribution.
Our souls should be vessels receiving
The waters of love for relieving
The SORROWS of men.
For here lie the pleasures of living:
In taking Gods bounties. and giving
The gifts back again.