FOUNDER'S DAY

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21419, 11 March 1935, Page 7

FOUNDER'S DAY

PARADE OF 1000 GIRL GUIDES IMPRESSIVE SERVICE AT CATHEDRAL One thousand Rangers, Girl Guides, and Brownies assembled in the Cathedral yesterday afternoon for the Founder's Day service, an impressive ceremony which is one of the most important events in uie girl guides year. The Cathedral was filled and the service was entered into with much enthusiasm. Members of companies in all parts of Canterbury province, together with 20 representatives from Marlborough, paraded at the headquarters of the Canterbury Girl Guides' Association m Worcester street and marched to the Cathedra], headed by 20 patrol leaders carrying the colours ot the companies. When the congregation had entered the patrol leaders carried the colours to the altar steps, and placed them against the altar rail. Guide Promise The service was conducted by the Rev. J. F. Fearon, who said special prayers and read a lesson. Special hymns—"Be Prepared," "The Children's Song," "For All the Guides," and "A Guide Hymn"—were sung, and immediately before the sermon the Chief Commissioner for New Zealand, Miss Ruth Herriek, led the rangers and guides in the renewal of tne guide promise:— "I promise on my honour that 1 will do my best To do my duty to God and the King, To help other people at all times, To obey the Guide law." Mr Fearon quoted the words ol St, Peter, "Silver and gold have I none, but, such as I hav«> give I Dice m the name of Jesus Christ." He r-poke of the duty of <wcry girl I" use her gifts to the service 'if God. l.il'" not an easy game, and Ihe world was not an easy place in which in live, but children must sec if Ihe.v con d find some way to improve the world and make line men and women ot themselves. Women's Part in Government People were too inclined to think of themselves and their own comfort, and that was why the world was such a miserable place. There must be some lack of character in men and women if the world was so upside down. He was practically certain that in 20, 30, or 50 years women would take a much bigger part in the governance of the world. Men had made such a deplorable muddle ol things to kno\v why, and to take a hand in government themselves. Some of Ihe girls at this service woidd no dou.it play an important part in the future and they must begin now on the moulding of their characters. Money was not always necessary m this world. Every child had his oilier gifts, and they must be cultured and magnified for the use ol otheis, however small or few they might be. The girl guide movement did wonderful service for those who had the gift of leadership, but whatever gifts each girl had she must use them lor good, sanctifying them to God. At the conclusion of the service the patrol leaders received their Hags again and stood at the altar steps while "Taps" was sung and the benediction pronounced. |