STRENGTH OF THE NATION MOVEMENT.

White Ribbon, Volume 23, Issue 265, 18 July 1917, Page 2

STRENGTH OF THE NATION MOVEMENT.

The past month has been a busj and blessed time, with many meetings and much writing. At Kaes and Beaumont prayer circles have been formed, even though there arc no W’.C.T. Unions there. This has specially gladdened my heart, as indicative of the longing of our people everywhere to he freed by God’s Almighty power from the bondage of drink. Another pleasant incident has been the action of the Wellington Girls’ College in sending an appeal to Parliament, signed by the whole staff, asking for prohibition. Miss McLean has jo ned the movement, and has given me two golden opportunities of addressing her girls on the matter. Through the whole Dominion is a great and growing conviction that nothing short of closing the bars entirely will meet the urgency of the nation’s need. Over 800 names have been given in as new members of our Union since Convention. “The Outlook” has proved a magnificent .illy, and is carrying tremendous influence to the corners we could never reach, as well as swaying the larger cities. Our publication of “Defeat” proved most opportune, and is all sold out. The request for our second Manifesto is so great we are considering a further issue. We earnestly plead for the multiplication of prayer c rcles and the constant intercession of every Christian who wants to see the var ended. The lists of slain in battle last month make sad reading for New Zealand. Our youngest son, Lennox, has paid the great price. We are thankful he was a staunch Good T« mplar and a converted lad. To him the drinking and singing amongst some of the soldiers were very repugnant, and we thank God a hero’s death was h s portion rather than the awful barbed wire enclosure. Invercargill Union is selling “Defeat” from door to door. This gives glorious opportunities of winning the indifferent and careless over to our side. Will other Unions please do the same? Will every member please make three copies of tin* following letter and send to friends in any part of New Zealand? “Dear Friend,—Will you help us intercede with God to stop the slaugh-

ter of Our young men, and more speedily win the war. Dunk and sin block the way to victory. There are now yS.ooo \oung men behind tin* barbed wire enclosures in Britain, and we are losing our man-power every day. Women and children everywhere will be in nameless peril, and we call on >ou most earnestly to join our ranks and pray the liquoi traffic out of New Zealand. Anyone willing to sign the temperance pledge and pay 2s 7d a year can become a member of our W.C.T.U.’’

Please make three copies of this, and send to your friends, asking them to do the same. Names and donations to be sent to the nearest local W.C.T.U., or to Mrs Lee-Cowie, Organiser Strength of the Nation Movement, Invercargill.