CHRISTMAS KINDNESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10009, 21 December 1895, Page 4

CHRISTMAS KINDNESS.

Tiirs appeal made by the Me liral Superintendent of the Hospital for kindly Christmas thoughts to ha extended to his protegees is one that ought to awaken a response. As was appropriately said, the patients are not there from choice, and being away from their homes, and suffering too, must be keenly alive to any little kindly evidence afforded them that they are not forgotten in the great happy whirl of Christinas enjoyment without. There are lit tie children therewith a children's love for toys, not lessened, we are sure, but increased by the circumstances of separation from all that is familiar to them, and of the suffering they are enduring ; and it would be well if those whose own children are having their holidays among trees and flowers, and in the bright sunshine, would, in their sense of gratitude, think of the little prisoners of pain, shut up in the wards of the Hospital, and biing a little sunshine to their cots by sending them some gifts of flowers and toys, which every one knows bring such brightness to the eyes and gladness to the hearts of little ones everywhere. Books and curds nnd flowers are just as grateful to the older patients, to whom gifts of the sort would corneas messages of sympathy and thoughtfulness, often better than medicine to those that are lying on beds of pain. We cordially hope that those who are preparing for a happy Chriptmas for themselves and theirs, will given, kindly thought to Christmas at the Hospital. There is another institution that should win a way to the hearts of the people in the season of kindly thoughts and good wishes to all; that is, the home on the Shelly Reach Boad, where some fifty very aged and worn out people are passing away the last, few years of their lives under the kindly care of the Little Sisters of the Poor. If there, is a condition of life that appeals to sympathy more than any other, it is probably that of those who, with all the past a wreck behind them, are only waiting till the last change, comes. There is probably not one in that home but one time had bright anticipations, and as noble plans of prosperity and happiness, and even greatness perhaps, as any of us. Those visions are all shattered ; and, deserted mostly, and all lonely, and entirely helpless in their feebleness, they have not a hope left on this side the grave. Under the thoughtful and patient tending of the good Sisters their lot is soothed as far as can he, hut it would be a worthy act of Christmas kindness to send them something that would help to give these poor old people at least one happy Christmas,