Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-04-24
CHRIST CHILD SOCIETY
PRAISED IN ITS WORK
Great and Noble, Wise and Heroic, "
Is Description of Rev. John
J. Burke.

Great and noble, wise and heroic
work, standing for the reconciliation
of the individual with organization
was the way Rev. John J. Burke, edi-
tor of the Catholic World. characterized
the achievements of the Christ Child
Society. which celebrated it's silver jul
bilee at the twenty-f1fth annual meet
ing at Rauscher's yesterday afternoon.
Members and friends of the Christ
Child Society occupied every availa BILE
seat to hear the reports of officers and
to listen to Father Burke deliver his
address, in the course of which he
made a strong plea for organized char
ity.
An exhibit of work done by the chill
dren at the different sewing centers
proved of great interest to the guests
who crowded the hall. Mrs. Suzanne
Mccormick, chairman of the commit
tee on sewing schools, was in charge.
At the conclusion of the meeting re-
freshments were served through cour-
tesy Of the board of managers.
rather Cavanaugh. president Of Notre
Dame University, was on the platform
with Father Burke. The report of
| Miss Mary v. Merrick. president of the
society, and of Miss Ruth A. Bliss, the
secretary. showed the Christ Child So
ciety to be in a most f1ourishing condi-
ton. The growth of the society was
strikingly shown in the presidents re-
port in that portion which said:
10 clothe an infant born in poverty on
Christmas day in honor of the Christ
Child was the humble beginning OF the
extended the first year to one poor
mother: last year 125 infant outfits were
distributed to the most INDECENT of our
city From its Inauguration the society
has endeavored to scatter flowers as well
as grain in the field of charity and to
bring Christmas JOY to the children of
the poor was. together with relief work,
IT'S original purpose. The first Christ
mas as. I'VE children were made happy with
gift from the Christ Child; last Christ
mas loo were remembered in His name"
The Washington membership numbers
loo. the report Of the secretary showed,
together with So5 Junior members. The
| total membership of the society in this
city and in those cities in which it is es-
tahished numbers more than 1000 Re-
ports Of the twenty branches in other
cities were read. and all showed healthy
! conditions of growth.
The Christ Child Society has lived
for twenty-five years." declared Father
Burke. opening his address. After
hearing the reports. one cannot but be
amazed at the efficiency of the work
1t Is not only a reason for congratula-
ton. but an example of what the So
ciety is going to be.
Our record is before U.S." he contin-
ued. 'It Is a work done, and as such a
honestly appeal to any one who is in
terested In the work of charity And
II he is sincere. he will SIX what is the
power behind it allo
Charity Is Spontaneous.
THE charity of the Christ Child So
ciety is not forced. but springs spon-
taneously from the hearts of its mem
bers." Here Father Burke showed that
the success of the society has been ac-
complished by personal work with a
personal motive toward a personal end.
Speaking of protests against organ
i<ed charity. he said:
Even those who protest organized
charity In turn organize their protest
necessary for worthy accomplishment
When either fails, then charity must
fail. This Is the problem of state and
oil all human endeavor. indeed. 1t Is bet
ter to sin on the side of individual lib
erty than on the side of organized
tyranny. however" Too much centrali-
cation, the speaker seemed to think,
destroys spontaneity.
Besides the reports of the president
and secretary. the following read re-
ports: Sarah H. Maher, visiting COM
mittee: Eleanor Johnson, relief COM
mittee: Suzanne Mccormick. sewing
schools: Mildred c. Merrick. instruc-
ton: Eunice Whyte. Italian work: Mary
" Merrick, Christmas committee;
Josephine Wimsatt, library committee:
Ruth A. Bliss, committee on Junior
guild, and Ludiyinia Simpson. commit
tee on fresh air.
The last report told Of the work being
accomplished at the summer home sit
uated between Silver Spring and Forest
Glen. Md. 1t was announced that
card party for the benefit Of the per-
manent fresh air fund would be held
This afternoon at 2 o'clock at Rausch
avs