MRS OLDHAM.

White Ribbon, Volume 22, Issue 254, 18 August 1916, Page 1

MRS OLDHAM.

Once more our Union has to mourn the loss of a capable, devoted, and earnest worker. Mrs Oldham served the Union lon# and faithfully in two capacities. As District President of Napier, she accomplished much. With the wisdom that looks ahead, she counselled, encouraged, and helped the Napier Union to secure W illard Hall for a permanent home for the Union. Hut it was as Editor of the “White Ribbon,” our official organ, that she was widely known to all White Ribboners. She took over the paper when it was financially in low water, and by careful'management sin* made it pay its way, and handed it over to her successor free from debt. I think few appreciate what labour this involved, and with her frail health, it was wonderful what she accomplished. To keep out of debt meant careful attention to detail; the expenditure of every penny had to be watched. In Mrs Oldham’s own words, “The ‘White Ribbon’ took some nursing then.’ And in Mrs Oldham’s capable hands it got the careful management it needed. As Editor, Mrs Oldham was a familiar figure at our Conventions, and her words always commanded the greatest respect and attention. She was essentially a level-headed woman, and brought much common-sense to bear on any problem under discussion. After battling on with feeble health

for years, she was at last compelled to give up the work. Too ill to come to the Nelson Convention in 1913, she sent her resignation. It was accepted with deep regret, and great appreciation was expressed of her past work. Though suffering much, she yet gave every assistance to her successor. And the long letters, often running into several pages, giving help with all the detail work, must have represented much sacrifice to one in her feeble state of health, and were the measure of her devotion to the work she loved so well and d d so faithfully. Her successor will ever be grateful for help so free ly given and questions so willingly answered. A trip to Queensland failed to restore her to health, and for the last few months her sufferings have been great, though home wi h Christian fortitude. One who knew and loved her well, and who was with her at the last, writes: “W’e were most thankful that the end came quietly. We could not have wished to keep her, with all the suffering she bore so patiently, and we have the blessed assurance that she is hymning her Saviour above.”

“Servant of God, well done! Rest from thy loved employ; The battle fought, the victory won, F.nter thv Master’s jov.”

The passing of Mrs J. H. Oldham, which occurred at Napier on the 14th July, has removed to the service of

the Master in other spheres one who has for many years been very closely associated with the work of our Union, and especially of the “White Ribbon/' Her keen interest in temperance and social work brought, her into our comradeship not long after her arrival in Napier from England, and became President of the Napier Union in 1905, holding office for eight years. The opening of the public reading room, subsequently taken ov< r by the City Council; the establishment of the “Willard Hall/’ the headquarters of the local Union, which i> now nearly free of debt; and the work done by the Union in catering at Agricultural and Pastoral Shows, owed much to her energy and initiative. In 1908 she was appointed Editor and Business Manager of the “W hite Ribbon,” which she conducted with much success for five years. In this capac ty and in her attendance at our annual Conventions, she came into very close touch with members of our Union in all parts of the Dominion, and mainwill miss the insp ration of the c apable energy which, in spite of weak health, she brought to bear on the work of the Union, and the* interests of all questions affecting women. She was a strong advocate of the* appointment of women on public bod es, and was herself the first lady member elected to the local Sc hool Committee, on whic h she* served for several years, while she also took an active part in the* work of the l’lunkct Society. In all her work one felt the deep inspiration of a devout religious spirit, which led her to devote all the energy of which she was capable to the service of the Master. After two years of retirement from active work, rendered necessary by illness, but during whi h she still retained keen interest in all her former activities, she passed peacefully away. We cherish the memory of a life which has been helpful and encouraging to many, tilled with work for the Master and the* good of humanity, and we extend to our sister’s relatives our loving r sympathy in the loss of her personal presence.

A W.C.T.U. memorial service was held in Trinity Methodist Church to the late Mrs Oldham. A large and sympathetic congregation met to pay their tribute of respect to our late and highly esteemed sister. The Rev. T. Richards preached an eloquent sermon, taking for his text Mark xiv. part

of verses 6 and 8: “She hath wrought a good work in me; she hath done what she could.” Mr Richards made feeling reference to Mrs Oldham’s devotion to her church; her deeds of charity, and her most valued service to the local W.C.T.U., she having been the means of Willard Institute being erected in Napier. A most impressive service was brought to a dose by the speaker urging each member to follow on with the great and noble work so faithfully set them by their late departed sister.