The Tale of Two Cities
God Bless, have a Very Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year. This year a 46 foot Nova Scotia white spruce was sent to Boston Massachusetts from the property of Floyd and Elaine Shatford of Lunenburg County, on November 16th. The tree will become the center piece of Boston’s annual tree lighting festivities. What would cause a Canadian province to send a large spruce tree every year to Boston, an American city? Well, it is simply this, appreciation. Yes, appreciation for a city that came to the rescue of another city (Halifax) back in 1917. It was on December 6, 1917 the Norwegian ship (SS Ino) carrying relief supplies to the country of Belgium and the French ship (SS Mont-Blanc) carrying numerous explosive materials in its hold (400 tons of TNT was just one of the items) collided in the Halifax harbor. The result was catastrophic as near 2000 people were killed instantly, 9000 injured, 325 acres of the north end Halifax were destroyed and there were over 3000 homes leveled. The explosion was so powerful that windows shook in my home town of Truro 100 km away and Cape Briton over 200 km away felt the impact as well. Generous financial assistance came from many parts of the world but the intervention that created the greatest bond was between two cities Boston, Massachusetts and Halifax. Boston sent $750,000 dollars as well as lumber, carpenters, doctors, nurses, food, clothing, furniture and numerous other critical supplies. There were train loads of much needed supplies that poured into Halifax weekly to assist in the rebuilding of a devastated city. Now you know the rest of the story but not quite. The first spruce tree that started the tradition arrived in Boston the following year (1918). The tradition was revived in 1971 and has been an annual practice ever since. This year, the tree was cut down on November 16th and transported to Boston where a reception committee of dignitaries received the gift on November 20th. Each year the gift of a large tree is really symbolic of the strong bonds that exists and will continue to exist between these two cities and a thankful province. If you feel that you have been blessed this year, why not do something for someone who really needs and deserves your kindness. I will never forget, as long as I live, the two families across the street from where I lived as a child that cared deeply and ensured that the Crosby children would have a happy Christmas. My Dad was an exterior and interior painter, lots of work in the summer and little to none in the winter. The winters were hard and often a struggle for my mom and dad to keep food on the table, let alone find money for Christmas presents for five growing children. Let’s reflect upon our blessings and share what we have. Remember what the Holy Scriptures says: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Rev. Ken Crosby, Pastor Weldon New Life Centre |
