OTAGO ORGANISER’S REPORT.

White Ribbon, Volume 24, Issue 287, 19 May 1919, Page 13

OTAGO ORGANISER’S REPORT.

Put First Things First. “Peace on Earth/’ “Glory to God.” “Brotherhood of Man.” “Fatherhood of God/’ Beloved Comrades,- When >ou asked ine to take Otago and Southland to organise last Convention, 1 accepted the honour with pleasure. None of us could foresee the severe winter we were to face, and the terrible pestilence that was to try us. I had three months of very happy and successful service, and then was stricken down wi*h pleurisy. The Gates of Heaven were very near, but God spared me to “live, and love, and labour” a little longer, and in February of this year I went to Central Otago, and on the West Coast and other parts of New Zealand, holding missions on behalf of the N.Z. Alliance. 1 am thankful to s.iv my health was restored as by a miracle, and I was able Jto take two and three meetings a day light up to the day of the poll. In addition, I had the pleasure of training Miss Waterman, Miss Battersby, and Miss Earnshaw for the work. Miss Waterman married one of out best Invercargill workers in December. Miss Battcrsby was ill with influenza, but heliied well with petition and other work; while Miss Earnshaw is now at Palmerston North. The unusual developments of the past year prevent! d much regularity in our procedure, but I should suggest the Committee on Subjects for Training should meet and outline a course for each month’s study. In the three months’ organising I gained 98b members. Of these, 751 are Somerset members, and the fees, amounting to ,£94 8s Sd, have been ()aid in to our Dominion Treasurer. The others have been linked on to nearest Branches. Eighty-two “White Ribbon’ subscribers have been gained, and their fees paid direct to Mrs Peryman,

while others have paid through their local L a ion*. The receipts from meetings and donations came to ,£*>s 3s (>d. The expcndituie for printing, tra veiling, accommodation, postage, tele grams, etc., came to /6 7 13s (id. I have been happy to clear the small deficiency of £1 ios, so that the ,£94 8s Sd is clear gain to our Treasury. I have also given /.G> to a page in the “Outlook/' and kept it supplied with items of interest for nine months. I again wish to state clearly and plainly, foi the benefit of tin* outside world, that I have given the whole of my time and strength to the mission work, the training of young workeis, and all the multitudinous duties of a World’s Missionary and Dominion Organiser without desiring or receiving on** penny of remuneration. It is a joy to give all, and get the rich reward of our beloved Master. In conclusion, 1 would lovingly uige every member to press <>n and take the world for our Jesus. “He lives and loves and cares, Nothing this truth can dim, lie gives the very best to those' Who leave the choice to Him. ’ BESSIE FEE COW IK. April, 1919.