MOTHERS UNION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 138, 11 May 1940, Page 11

MOTHERS UNION.

ST. PETER’S BRANCH MEETS. The monthly meeting of St. Peter’s Mothers' union took place yesceruuy. Rev. if. S. Ramson conducted the service in the church and gave a short talk on the Bible. St. Paul had said that “Whatsoever, things were written aforetime were written tor our learning,” said Mr Ramson. The Bible was in some respects a simple book that “he who runs may read.” There was good in it tor those in too much of a hurry to study. It was a simple b,ook for simple minds. The parable was an earthly story with two meanings. It stimulated interest and thought and aided the memory. It saved the reader from the sin of rejection and taught one great lesson. Mr Ramson instanced the astuteness and foresight of the unjust steward. He had been praised because he made provision for this short, life, but Christians must use the same foresight in preparing for a future life. There were many paradoxes or seeming contradictions in the Bible. Those who first heard the eight Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount must have been startled by the apparent contradiction to all they,., had been taught. They had learned that the rich were blessed, but Christ said “Blessed arc the poor in spirit.” This really meant “Blessed are they whose minds are not fixed on the riches of this world” whether they were rich or poor. There were other apparent contradictions in Christ’s words which puzzled many people, but these must lie considered in their context sometimes being used literally and sometimes figuratively. Two statements which exercised many neople to-day were: “I came not to bring peace hut a sword” and “They who take the sword will perish l»y the sword.” In the one case tlie sword was the symbol of discord roused by religious controversy before tolerance was learned: in the other case Christ was addressing Peter, who had actually drawn a sword, and an actual sword, signifying war, was meant. There was no real contradiction, and if a real effort were made to solve these problems they would present no difficulty. Tho meeting then adjourned to the hall, which was decorated with vases of dahlias and marigolds. Mr Ram°ou welcomed the members, also Mrs Attwood, an old parishioner, and Mrs Burrell, who bad been ill. Mrs Attwood exnressed her pleasure at, returning to St. Peter’s and recalled the time when she worked to collect money to line tlm ball and had been in charge of the kindergarten. Songs were rendered by Mrs E. McPherson (self-accompanied) and Miss B. AVood (accompanied by Miss E. Lancaster), who were accorded a vote of thanks. . . Mr Ramson mentioned that, though Sunday would be Mothers’ T)av, the Church of England kept Mothering Sundav on the third Sunday in Lent, Members were reminded of the birthday nnvtv next month; it ha" been decided that those who desired to eive a birtbdav present to the union could each present a run and sepcer in the tin ion colours of. blue and white. The hostesses were Mesdnmes Roberts, F. Bennett and Puklowski. HEALTH INSURANCE. The years will touch you gently, even after you have passed the 40 mark, if you take j.D.K.Z. Gin regularly. Possesses unique medicinal properties. Distilled wit 1 ' the berries of Italian juniper. Wards off lumbago, rheumatism, gout, sciatica and all kidnev and liver complaints. All hotels and bottle stores.—Advt.