Christian Science War Relief Work

The Christian Science Wartime Committee in the United Kingdom are daily receiving tangible proof of the value of the relief work undertaken by The Mother Church in the distressed areas. Thanks to the splendid consignments of clothing that are reaching us from Boston, almoners appointed by the churches throughout the United Kingdom have many and varied opportunities of succoring those who have suddenly been deprived of comfortable homes and all their normal supply of clothing. To take the needed garments to people in such a plight quicly is the very essence of this kind of work, and a few excerpts from letters received will convey some idea of what it means to the recipients.

From a Recipient: "My husband and I, and our three girls, were rendered homeless as the result of enemy action on our house on Merseyside. We escaped wearing only night clothing and top coats. We are most grateful for the various articles of clothing received, and we understand it is from your Committee that the clothing has been sent. May your good work continue, as there are thousands in need of help over here."

From an Almoner: "We had some people from Clydebank, and it was a real joy fitting them out and seeing how they loved getting the good, clean clothes. I gave an old fur coat to one elderly woman. She looked as if she could never smile again as she came in, but when she was given the coat she was radiant. She told me she had never expected to have a fur coat, and it seemed odd that she got one when she had lost everything."

From a Recipient: "We are deeply grateful to The Mother Church War Relief Fund. To meet such generosity from perfect strangers helps one to pick up the threads of life again with renewed hope."

From an Almoner: "Most folks are amazed at the thoughtfulness of the Americans and express great gratitude for the Christian Scientists' generosity in helping any denomination."

From a Recipient: "We have had to leave our home, but I have had some lovely clothing from the Christian Scientists, and I do appreciate it. I never thought that there was such kindness, and I am so proud to think that I and my children are wearing clothes that have come all the way from America."

From an Almoner: "People are so very grateful for the help given them. One said, 'I could cry with gratitude.' Another, 'I shall never forget this place and the kindness I have received.' One baby was brought in last week crying with cold. Its mother said it could not sleep it was so cold. It was popped into a lovely little teddy-bear sleeping bag and in a few minutes it was asleep. The baby was less than six months old, and its home had been bombed twice."

From an Almoner: "A family of four from Czechoslovakia were very grateful for help given. Clothing, new and secondhand, for parents and children, was supplied. The mother nearly wept for joy, and told me over and over again, 'There is only one God.' "

From Two Children (ages six and eight, whose parents were killed in an air raid): "Boy and I wish to thank you for the lovely things you have sent us. It is very kind of you to think of us, because we have no mother or daddy, and we also thank the ladies of America for their kind work."

From a Recipient: "I am afraid that it is impossible to put into just a few sentences how thankful we all feel, but I know you will understand that every single garment and all clothes are most useful to us."

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