The Elk Mountain pilot., 1919-02-20
FOR cHRisT's SWEET
SAKE AND CHARITY.


erary Digest" printed an appeal for
the Armenians, which is said to have
netted $4,000. This splendid achieve
ment is mentioned solely as an illus
tration of the interest, which this
Cause of Relief for the Near East
has aroused in the most discriminat-
ing circles of thought and influence.
Those who are in position to ex-
anime the facts most thoroughly
seem most eager to advance the
Cause. President Wilson, receiving
his information from diplomatic and
consular representatives, gave warn
ing that ''the suffering and death
from exposure and starvation will in
evitably be much greater this winter
than last unless the survivors can be
helped by further contributions from
America" Theodore Roosevelt, after
looking into the merits of the case,
wrote with the fervor which he re-
served for a Cause he heartily es-
poused: with all my heart l wish
you Godspeed in the work of relief
you have undertaken for the Chris
tfans in Western Asia" And show
ing his faith by his works he made
personal contribution of $1,000.
The case is really desperate. The
fate of those victims of Turkish
cruelty is the fate of starving cattle
on a grassless, sun-scorched plain.
However, there is the difference that
the suffering is not that of the coarse
brute, feeling nothing but the tor
ment of his maddening hunger; but it
is the suffering of human beings with
loves and fears and cares and all
heart-sensibilities like our own. 1t
is the suffering of people looking
back on ruined homes; it is the suf-
fering OF refinement violated by bru-
tai and indecent outrage; it is the
suffering of the husband looking into
the hollow, burning eyes of the wom-
an he loves, and is powerless to help;
it is the suffering of the son and
daughter listening to the delirium of
the old folks raving of the days of
food and comfort and the sheltered
family; it is the suffering of the
mother, offering her dry breast to
her famished child and wildly clutch
ing it to her bosom in the vain en-
deavor to quiet it's raging torment.
which perchance will not be quieted
until life's fitfur fever be forever
ended.
The sufferings of the children
who can think of that and be un-
moved? Four hundred thousand Of
these suffering Armenians and Syri-
ans are reported to be little children
In Lebanon, where the cedar grows a
thousand years, thousand little
children have been cut off in single
day. These, let it be remembered,
are the seed-corn of the future years
m Syria, Persia, and Asia-Minor-
shriveled and destroyed before it
could come to fruitfulness. o, the
pity of it! More than any thing else,
perhaps. this bitter cry of the chill
dren has pierced the heart of Amer
lea.
"A child is crying beyond our door
In the cold and the wind and the wild
downpour,
(How can we sit at ease within?)
A child is calling beyond our gate,
Starving and stark and desolate,
(How can we bid the feast berin?)
How may we sit content and warm.
When child is lost in the night and
storm
lThe night of famine, the storm of
War;,
How can we break our bread in ease.
Hearing the voice of the least of
these?
"a child is crying beyond our door,,
Gunnison County is ready to do her
part. The most enthusiastic reports
are coming in from every section.
Crested Butte, always forward in
generosity, is taking this Cause to
her heart. Prominent citizens are
behind the movement, and the result
seems sure. Somerset gives promise
of making her usual splendid show
ing. The Mormon Church will lend
the support of it's capable member
ship there. Pitkin. Ohio City, Bald
win, Powderhorn,. Sapinero, and all
the other towns and country districts,
it seems. will be in line. And, judg-
ing from the strong committees and
the general atmosphere of interest,
Gunnison, the county seat, is certain
to do her full share. So "for Christ's