The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1915-03-20
Chosen Tor laetare Medal

Miss Mary v. Merrick of Washing
ton, d. c., founder of the Christ Child
Society, has been chosen by the Uni
versity of Notre Dame as it's Laetare
medalist for 1915. The Laetare medal
for 1914, was conferred by the Uni
versity on Chief Justice White of the
Supreme Court of the United States.
This medal is conferred each year
on the man or woman who, in the
opinion of the commission charged
with the bestowal of the honor, has, by
achievement in any worthy field, dem
onstrated a right to the distinction.
Miss Merrick, who is the daughter
of the late Richard T. Merrick "a
lawyer of renown), was born in Wash
ington. Early in life she received in
juries which disabled her to such an
extent that she has never been able to
walk, stand or sit, so that practically
her entire life has been spent reclined
in a rolling chair. In this chair she
moves from room to room in her
home; in it she attends church and
takes her outings.
This affliction might have tended
quite naturally to embitter her soul,
for her invalidism seemed to set very
narrow limits to her opportunities.
Her heart, however, was filled with an
absorbing personal devotion to the
Christ Child, and as Christmas was ap-
preaching socn after her physical
doom had been pronounced, and the
invalid girl one day lay wondering
what she might do with her life, sud-
denly out of the darkness came the
thought Of the Christ Child and Of
Christmas and of the many hungry,
cold, and joyless children for whom
there would be no Christmas cheer,
and it was then in her heart the Christ
Child Society was formed. Instantly
her mind, her force of character, the
resources of family, friends, money and
social position, by the compelling pow
er of natural genius and love for the
Christ Child were directed to the ends
which are now served by an extensive
organization. The Society began its
life in the capital of the nation, but
has rapidly developed until now it has
fourteen branches in various cities
throughout the United States; mem
bership in Washington of 1,175, and a
total membership Of $3.50.
Among the workers in the Washing
ton Society are the wives of many
members of the diplomatic corps sta
toned in the capital, as we'll as wives,
daughters and sisters of army and
navy officers; in fact, from every walk
of life, including all classes and all
ages, do these volunteers come.
Organized at first for charitable
work among the children of the very
poor, the scope of the society has
grown, until it now includes sewing
schools, settlement work, visiting
nurses, summer outings, hospital visit
ing, industrial education and instruc'
tion, etc. The Society does not hest
tate to relieve distress wherever found
without regard to creed or to the
theories of social science.
Miss Herrick, reclining on her couch
not only plans the work of the Society
but personally controls and animates
its manifold operations by means Of
her forceful administration Of the Of
fee of president. The hearts of all the
members are practically united with
the heart of the founder, and this So
ciety has grown
AS mighty cedars rise
Slow and silent towards the skies,
Thus the influence of this Child
Through the ages, sweet and mild,
Lifts still our fallen race,
Towards the vision of Gods face.
WINNERS OF THE MEDAL