PROCESSIONS OF WITNESS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21111, 12 March 1934, Page 7

PROCESSIONS OF WITNESS

MOTHERING SUNDAY "V ESTERDAY'S SERVICES Processions of witness of religious faith and special services in commemoration of Mothering Sunday were held in several city and suburban churches yesterday. Yesterday was the twenty-first anniversary of the revival of the Mothering Sunday movement and in the churches where special services were held reference was made to the loving care of ir.others and the loving care of the mother church. Processions were held at St. Stephen's (Shirley), where Berry's Military Band was in attendance; St. Chad's (North Linwood), where the Stanmore Silver Band supplied music, and Kaiapoi, where the Kaiapoi Band led the parade. Mothering Sunday services were observed at St. Stephen's, Sumner, Belfast, Sydenham, RedclifTs, St. Chad's, and Kaiapoi. St. Chad's At St. Chad's, where the procession and service were typical of those held, members of the congregation had commenced to assemble at 10 a.m. When the procession moved off at 10.20 between 300 and 400 were present, the march through the streets being an impressive one. Following the band were members of the choir, led by a banner that had been dedicated that morning at the Communion service; Sunday School pupils, each with a posy in honour of mother; Bible Class members, and adult members of the congregation. From the church grounds the procession marched into Buckley's road and turned into Dacre street. From Dacre street the march was continued down Worcester street to Wyon street, and back along Buckley's roud to the church, about 20 minutes being occupied. At the church the chairs from the Sunday School hall had been arranged in every vacant space, but the number present was so great that several had to stand in the porch during the service. The special Mothering Sunday hymn written by the liev. ,T. R. llervcy (St. Stephen's) was suns:, the posies brought bv the children were offered at the altar, find the Fifth Commandment recited durinj the first part of the .service. "We are gathered here to-day to observe a very ancient custom." the vicar, the Rev. W. S. Southward, said, in commencing hi.; address on the text, "The Golden Windows." Mothering Sunday had beer, observed in bygone ages, but had died out. until it was revived by MLs Penswick Smith. Nottingham. England. in 1913. Since its revival it had become more and more popular. and was observed by a number of parishes in and round Christchurch. Honouring the Mothers Mothering Sunday was one day in the year when all mothers were honoured, and when their duty to their parents was impressed upon the children. If boys and girls realised what the love and care of their mothers meant to them they

would endeavour to give some return by helping more in the home. Mothers did more than anyone else could do for their children, but because thev were in the home every day children overlooked what was done. Some children were even ashamed of their mothers and thought that other mothers were better. There j were boys who would not walk; down the street with their mothers; who were ashamed to kiss their mothers, but if they realised how much their mothers did for them they would be proud to honour them. Windows of Gold Addressing the children in the congregation the vicar told them a story illustrating the fallacy of thinking other homes and mothers better than their own—a story of a boy who had seen the setting sun shining on the windows of a far away house and had gone there because he thought it had windows of gold. When he reached the house its windows were of glass and the windows of his own home were shining like gold. Foolish children went from home looking for golden windows, but the wise ones realised that they were to be found at home. In conclusion Mr Southward spoke of the spiritual apr'ication of his theme and urged his congregation to seek the golden windows in their own homes and the golden windows of their spiritual lives in their church. Those who honoured their mothers would honour their mother church. "He who goes a mothering finds violets in the lane," he said, "and violets mean blessing." At St. Stephen's St. Stephen's Church was beautifully decorated for the occasion. At the 8 o'clock service there was a corporate communion of families. At 10.15 a.m. a procession of witness of about 300 children and adults, carrying banners, and headed- by Dcrry's Military Band, passed along some of the main streets of the parish, returning to the church for the 11 o'clock service. Though the usual seating accommodation had been doubled, it was taxed to the uttermost. The children brought flowers, which were presented at the altar as "tokens of love and honour for earthly mothers." The vicar, the Rev. J. R. Hervey, preached to the children on love and obedience to mother, the sermon being based on a story by Laura S. Richards. In the evening there was again a crowded congregation. "Songs My Mother Taught Me" J was beautifully played as a voluntary by Mr Tutil (organ) and Miss L. Robertson (violin). "Home. Sweet [Home" was affectingly interpreted by |Mr L. C. Quane (tenor*. The vicar [took as his subject "Going A-Mother-jing." Service at Kaiapoi Mothering Sunday was observed at St. Bartholomew's Church, Kaiapoi, yesterday by special services. There was a very lai-gc attendance at the morning service, including parishioners from the East Eyrcton, Ohoka, Flaxton and Clarkvillc districts. Before the service the Kaiapoi Brass Band played the hymns "Aurelia" and "Austria" at the church gates, and a procession was formed, headed by the band, including the Kaiapoi branch of ! the Mothers' Union (the president, Mrs C. L. Sparrow, carrying the Union banner) and the congregation and Sunday school children, which marched round the church block. At the service, conducted by the Rev. C. L. Sparrow, the Mothering Sunday hymn, written by the Rev. J. R. Hervey was sung for the first time. Special prayers were, given for home life, and the band quartet played "Home, Sweet Home." Just before the sermon, the Sunday school children offered up

their posies as a token of love of mother. These were presented to the vicar at the altar and remained in the church for the day. The Fifth Commandment was recited by the congregation, while the children held in view a banner with the words worked in flowers. Mrs WestWatson, Diocesan president of the Mother's Union forwarded a sealed special message, which was read by the vicar, giving encouragement to members of the union. The sermon was based on the text from Galatians: "Jerusalem above is the Mother of U> all." The vicar spoke of the value of good homes from a national point of view and the place that a mother's care and love took within the home He sketched briefly the history of Mothering Sund&y and pointed out the great powers that mothers possessed. It was they who could bring In reforms where men had failed. He gave as an example the life of Josephine Butler, wife of a former Canon of Westminister, who had worked among the outcasts of Liverpool. He concluded by encouraging the children to value tbeir home life and their parents* care. At the evening service, which was also largely attended, the vicar preached from the text. Acts chapter 27, verse 31: "Except these abide in the ship ye cannot be saved."