Now Make the Final Effort for Aberdare !
NOW at last we can say of our Aberdare Adoption Fund, not metaphorically but with exact literal truth, Bis dat qui cito dat. At last the arrangement has been made by which the Treasury will supplement, pound for pound, all that is subscribed by Spectator readers. Those who give quickly now do really give twice over : their gifts are to be doubled. Many, no doubt, have held back their subscriptions until they could be sure of this. Now is the time for them to send us their cheques. We aimed at £10,000. We have got all but £9,000. One more effort and we shall have done what we set out to do. Will you help us to announce next week that the effort has been successful, that the good fight has been fought, the victory splendidly won ? If all who up to now have thought about sending some- thing will at once cease thinking aboilt it and send withOut further delay, that announcement will assuredly appear in next Saturday's issue. We do not ask those who have already given to give again, though. it is quite certain that many of them will. Our special- appeal now is to those who have waited, either deliberately in order to get their contributions doubled, or just from hesitation and the habit of putting off. Now, please, is their moment. It's their money we- want ! We can promise them first-class value for it. '
Not alone will that value lie in hunger appeased at Aberdare, in shivering little bodies warmed by cheerful fires, in comfort to legs and arms and backs that were chilled by insufficient clothing. The quality of kindness such as our readers have shown blesses not only " him that takes " but " him that gives " as well. The letters that come with contributions are a delight to read. They breathe the spirit of joy in giving. There is no doubt about the happiness which the givers purchase- for themselves, in addition to that which they bestow on our hapless comrades in Aberdare.
Here is an example of the beautiful working of genero- sity in noble minds. We printed the other day a few lines from the letter of an old clergyman who said he had resolved to deny himself and give a certain sum every week to the Spectator Fund. Following on that came a kindly expressed wish from a woman reader to offer the old clergyman five pounds to be spent on some little- comforts for -himself. The offer was passed- on to him. He replied with. charming Spirit that he could not take what might go to the miners. He was " on the shelf," he said, but not quite " on the rocks."- He could not give up the " priVilege " of making his little sacrifice. Could anything leave one with a higher respect, a more affectionate appreciation of what is best in the nature of men and women ?
We are particularly gratified to see among the recent subscriptions an increasing number from our readers over- seas. Donations reach us from pOints as far apart as Canada, Brazil, the United. States, India; the Balearic Islands, Switzerland and Japan. We hope that before long we may be able to add the names of many more far off lands to this list.
Finally, here is an example which schools might follow. Bradfield College is making its contribution through the Spectator, and is sending a member of its staff to Aberdare so that the boys may have first-hand information as to what the conditions were and are. We are helping hlm, as we shall gladly , help any others to see for themselves.
Much has been done since the " adoption, but much remains to do. Many take the view that the period between now and Easter will be the most difficult of all. We want during that period to take the edge off the worst of the distress. We can do that if-if you will do your part.
YoT_Ta SPECIAL COMMISSIONER.
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