Hamilton, Ont. - The following letter was received at the Hamilton Spectator last week: "Earlier this week my faith in human kindness was restored. We live in Central Hamilton; my parents live next door. In the early evening our street began to fill with the sound of Christmas carols played by the Salvation Army's brass ensemble.

We all rushed out to the porch to take in the music and watched as the band moved down the street.

After they had travelled about a block down the road I thought of my father.

He s battling cancer and bedridden; but most of all, he is a lover of music.  I ran down the road and asked if the band might see fit to play for my father.

Fifteen minutes passed, a half an hour passed and I had given up hope.

But after an hour, all my faith was restored when the band returned. Not only did they play for my father in his home, but they took requests! My mother was in tears, my father on the brink of tears and my faith in the spirit of Christmas was restored.

I wrote this letter so everyone will understand just how good and kind the people at The Salvation Army really are.