METHODIST LADIES ENTERTAIN MEMBERS OF SISTER CHURCH GUILD

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 20, 16 October 1937, Page 13

METHODIST LADIES ENTERTAIN MEMBERS OF SISTER CHURCH GUILD

The Wesley Hall was filled to capacity on Wednesday afternoon whea the Methodist Ladies' Guild entertained Sister church guOds. The.jRev, R. J3. Gosnell presided and weleomed tho visitors who wero present from Waipawa and Greenmeadows Methodist Guilds, and the guilds of the Anglican,. Baptist and Presbyterian Hastings churches, also the Home League of thc Salvation Army. A very enjoyable programme of musical and elocutionary items was contributed by Miss Conipton, who sang "Songs That Live for Ever" and "My Curly-headed Baby''; Mrs W. H. Lee, who chose her solo# "My Rosary"; Miss Constanco Dewson, who recited "The Wheels of Time"; and Miss Johns, who chose "The Gladiators, ' ' both being recalled. Mrs C. G. Cunnold, who was tho speaker for the afternoon 's gathering, was listened to with evident interost and appreciation during her talk on "Fellowship." She said that the subjeet was far-reaching and was one that the guilds of the various denominationa should understand in ita.varied aspects. "True followship is the cure for many of the ills that society is suffering from to-day," said the speaker. "Fellowship is an intimate intercourse and cooperation that springs from genuino goodwill. It has been said that to-day thero is a challenging lack of this fellowship. j "In considering the subject the. fellowship groups of the community must be reviewed,,> continned tho speaker. "The first and most important group is the family fellowship group. This is where the truest fellowship should be found, but it is not always so, because it is not so easy to be one'o best self in the close and intimate fellowship which domestic life demands. It is 9. fellowship which needs cheerful team work, and to the patents there is a call for sympathy aua understanding with the youug people in the home. Their probicms are not ours., nor are they the same ,lund of problems as ours were when we were young. Then% the family group was sufhcient for all our needis"j but in these days so many outside interests. claim time and attention. To maintain this precious home fellowship parents and children alike must seek points of contact and so keep that fellowship ' of spirit which ia possible between young and old and without which the family group cannot rightly function." The school group was one which all had to pass through and which fortunately to-day was receiving considera* tion. The class did not consist of so many- heads to be crammed full of facts and ligures, but of personalities, Education was not just what was said, but what was shared, and it was only in the atmosphere of respect and trust that the truest education could be attained. "This is being recognised by the eminent educatipnalists of to-day," said Mrs Cunnold, "and the fellowship and comradeship while at school is one that leaves a deep and laeting impression on life and character." The speaker also touched on the great help rendeTed in nati.onal and international affairs by tho fellowship groups of various clubs and societies, stressing the signal service that - Kotary had rendered in this way. Women 's clubs and guilds and institutes had contributed a fellowship beneficial to the individual and to. the life of the community. She said that in the community life there was a call to follo'wship with those who served, not to accept things for granted, -but to enquire into tho conditions of Iabour and the labourerj not to treat people in the inass, but by a cheery word to the individual seeR to oil the wheels of the machinery which niade the community life. "From the fellowship of the community it is but a step to the afiairs of the nation., In this shrinking world of fast travel and quick communication we are fast* becoming one great neigtbourhood. This should help to dispel racial antipathies and. enable us to ive togetlier in peace and security. f)istrust, fear and- greed which breed miaunderstanding and war could be dispelled by the fellowship which ihe League of Nations is endeavouring to bring to fruition and should usher in . the time of international peace and genuine goodwill. This great day to which all inen look forward will only pome when men accept God as their Father nnd every man as brother. To the women of the various guilds the realisation of . fellowship iu their work fpr the Church had meant much in the joy of service and sacrifiee. The time must come when the universal Church will ,stand with a unitod front to fac!» the comrnon evils which undermine the social .life of -.the community and prevent ■ the consummation of perfect fellowship which ' Jesus Christ as the height of the world came to bring." Mrs Cunnold was thanked for hor inspiring address. Several representativos of the various guilds thanked tho Methodist ladies for - the dainty aftornoon tea which they handed round and Ihe opportunity to meet an(3 enjoy tbe fellowship of their sister church guilds and to hear Mrs Cunnold talk. The platform and small tables looked briglit with baskots of golden broom and calendulas and were much admired by those present. Mr Gosnel] thanked all who had holped to niake possible sucli a successful cathering which closod with the singing of tho National Anthem