MOTHERS OF THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 November 1915, Page 5

MOTHERS OF THE EMPIRE.

THEIR INFLUENCE .« DUTY. Auckland, Njovember 4. "Looking back upon the past year," remarked Bishop A. 'W, Alverill, when speaking at the annual meeting of the Mothers' Union yesterday afternoon, "one cannot help but contrast the tonduct of our own soldiers with that of those who are unfortunately our enemies. I attribute the gentlemanly conduct of the British soldier very largely to tile influenco of the mothers of the Empire." The Bishop said that where a man was brought up in a good home; by a good mother and a good fatlier, he could be trusted. The influence of good home life, and a good mother, never failed. That, he felt, had a good deal to do with the fact that the Britisli soldier, when called upon to fight, coaild do it as a Christian and a gentleman. The influence of the mother could not be over-estimated. To a very great extent the honor and glory (so fax as such could be got from war) belonged to those absent from the firing-line;; those who were left at home, who had reared sons to be the men they were; in fact, to the mothers of the Empire. Thecals of the war fell most upon the women. Those who went forth to fight had" at least the excitement and the feeling that they were doing something for their country, but the wives and mothers had to stay at home and think, remember, and pray. If God gsme the Allies success in this war, the chief honor arid glory belonged to the. mothers who encouraged and helped their men-kind to go and do their duty. The mothers could not be expected! to keep up the high standard of life unless they bad help outside The future of the Empire, and, to a great extent, of the world, depended very largely upou the influence and religion of the women. History showed that whenever the standard of womanhood wen* down, that particular nation or was doomed. When he was last Home he was pained to note that the standard of womanhood was not as high as it had been. He trusted that out of this tenrible scourge of war there would come a regeneration and renewal of woman; that she would realise the great position God had given her in the world; that she would rise to the occasion, and do her dutv nobly for God MdjMi. hiun&x>&& „' ,