SALVATION ARMY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 118, 17 April 1940, Page 11

SALVATION ARMY.

WELCOME TO MRS EVAN SMITH. Representatives of the various women’s organisations in the city were associated with the Home League of the Salvation Army in a welcome to Mrs Smith, wife of LieutenantCommissioner Evan Smith, in the Citadel, Broadway, yesterday afternoon. Mrs Dick, wife of Major V. Dick, ■ presided. Mrs F. Shearman (Home League secretary) conducted the opening exercises, which were followed by prayer. Mrs Dick expressed pleasure in the presence of other organisations to join in the welcome which the Home League extended to Lieutenant Commissioner and Mrs Smith, whom it was a privilege to have present in Palmerston North. The Army wished to share this privilege, and she was sure all present would benefit from hearing Mrs Smith. Mrs Shearman conveyed the welcome to Palmerston North as one of the largest and most progressive towns in New Zealand, which she knew the women were delighted to give. Sister Mrs Tarrant, one of the oldest members of the Homo League, having recently celebrated her 80th birthday, presented the guest of honour with a lovely bouquet. Mrs Smith, who was enthusiastically received, returned thanks and expressed her pleasure at being in New Zealand alter the dangers of her journey across the sea. In the six weeks since their arrival she and her husband had seen something of the beauty of the Dominion. They both felt they had definitely been called by God to New Zealand to help those to whom they had come to minister. She proceeded to tell her audience something of the Work of the Home Leagues, having herself harl charge of the leagues in the whole of the south of England, which included a membership of 29.000 women. Mrs Smith’s talk was illustrated with human little stories to stress her points. She counselled the women to look at their homes, whether mansions or single rooms, reminding them if they wanted them to he happy God must dwell therein. With a sure foundation they-need not fear, but the walls must be honesty, industry and contentment. The windows of faith and love were also needed. Women must not he hasty in their judgments and take time for all things. “Don’t starve the love larder in your home, but furnish it well if it is to be the sweet place you want.” the speaker stressed. Most essential for a happy home was the practice of family prayers. The message of all she desired i to convey. Mrs Smith said, was: “Give God His rightful place and all other things will he added unto you.” ] Mothers and wives held the key to happiness and must not he influenced , by the suggestion that times had changed. God’s standards were unchanging, and the old ideals and precepts of the Bible were as beautiful as ever. Only by faith and trusting in God would all he well. The combined choirs of the Palmer- c ston North and Terrace End branches of the League of Mothers sang glees I conducted bv Mrs 0. Christiansen and f accompanied bv Mrs D. Williams, and t Sisters Frith and Bell contributed « songs, accompanied by Mesdames Bell j and Williams. Representatives of wo- I men’s organisations present were Miss < C. Jamieson (W.C.T.U.), Mesdames M. Aitehison (St. Andrew’s Guild), t A. Stewart (St. David’s Guild), J. Garner (Congregational Ladies Guild), A McPherson (Palmerston North Lea- c gue of Mothers), E. Dymock (Terrace End League of, Mothers), E. Iwigge < (Orange Lodge), Tremaine (I cildmg Homo League), Drury (Terrace End Homo League). There were members present also of Feilding. Terrace End, Woodville and Foxton Home Leagues. Mrs Dick conveyed the thanks ol the meeting to Mrs Smith, and following the singing of Grace closed the meeting with prayer. Bowls of dahlias and autumn foliage on tall stands formed the decorations.