MOTHERS’ UNION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 142, 16 May 1940, Page 12

MOTHERS’ UNION.

, NEW MEMBERS ADMITTED. Tho May meeting of All Saints’ Mothers’ union, yesterday afternoon, opened with, an admission service conducted by Canon G. i. Woodward ..in the Lady Chapel, 'those admitted were Mesdames it. E. Bottcher, B. E. Aikmau and V. E. Anderson, and Mrs Wollerman was the organist. The meeting adjourned to the Girls’ Club, where Ganon Woodward welcomed and congratulated the new members’'; He then traced the story of the 'Shunamite woman from the Bible which he divided in three parts. The Shunamite woman evidently had held a powerful position, but her distinguishing characteristic was her religious devotion. She had persuaded her husband to build a special room tor the Prophet Elisha and in reward for her devotion to her Church and the prophet her wish for a son was granted. The Shunamite woman was a shining example and a good influence on her husband. The speaker asked his hearers to consider if they also were shining examples in the home. He had himself seen many cases where a woman had influenced her husband towards attending to his religious duties. Resuming the Bible story, Canon Woodward noted how, when the son of the Shunamite woman was taken ill, his father sent him at once, to his mother, and how, when the child died, she had trusted absolutely in God. She had had a remarkable taith —a faith that'could remove mountains. She had trusted implicitly in God and in the prophet. When she answered the prophet's question by saying “It is well,” she meant that she resigned herself to the will of God. The lesson to be, learned to-day was to accept not only the joys and gladness of life, but also the restrictions and sorrows, of life from God. No one who was not spiritually alive could do this, and it was'the duty of all to cultivate this spiritual fltIn the third part of the story the speaker told of how the Shunamite woman had lost all her property in her old age and had regained it. His hearers could see again in this how God was able to help those who relied on Him, far more than they ever dreamed. He advised thorn to think of this brave, splendid, devoted woman arid let this be an inspiration to them to carry .on. He repeated the prophet’s question “is it well with thee? Is K well with thy husband? Is it well with the child?” They would note that their own spiritual welfare came first, then their duties to their husbands and children. Perhaps wives did not realise what an influence they could be to their husbands. If they could look into their hearts and say honestly that they had tried to fulfil the obligations imposed on them, then they could answer “It is well.”'. . About 20 members accepted an invitation to be present at the birthday party of St. Peter’s Mothers’ Union. Mrs W. Briden Jones agreed to act as one of. the hospital visitors for the ensuing, month. . Canon Woodward drew the attention of members to the appeal of the lied Cross and Order of St. John and asked them to give - it all the support possible. At his request, Mrs Jones explained that the appeal would be carried out in the same way as the Righting Services Appeal and asked that those willing to collect, for the appeal hand in their names. Mrs E.-Dawick (enrolling member) said; that she had received. a proposal that the union should start a sewing circle for refugees. After a discussion on the best method to set about this work, it was decided to set up a committee of five with' the enrolling member, secretary (Mrs ‘ C. E. Metcalfe) 'and treasurer (Mrs Eckersley) to arrange details. The members elected were Mesdames Head, Martin, Dalziell, Jones and Baillie. Miss Joan Wollerman (accompanied by Mrs Wollerman) contributed songs. Tea was served b.y Mrs T. Inglis and helpers.