SPECIAL REPORTS

White Ribbon, Volume 19, Issue 6, 1 July 1947, Page 5

SPECIAL REPORTS

V ISIT OF MISS ( M IIcLAY, DOMINION ORGANISER Dannevirke Union The visit of Miss McLay to Dannevirke was productive of much good. Apart from personal visitation, by which means slk gained six new members for our Union, she addressed Knox Bible Classes at 10. U sto 10.45 on Sunday, gave a fifteen-minute address ,to the Methodist Youth Group in the morning service, and gave the address at the Salvation Army Hall in the evening. On Monday afternoon, Mrs. Paviour Smith kindly opened her home for a company of women to join our W.C.T.U. members in enjoying a recital of the early days’ fight and warfare to banish drink, and eventually to commence the W.C.T.U. We were all deeply stiried by what we heard. Captain Mounsey prayed, Mr* Borlace sang a solo very pleasingly, and Mrs. Skuse returned thanks to all.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Methodist Missionary Union granted Miss McLay permission to speak briefly to those assembled, on the object of her mission Mrs. McLean was able to arrange for otir visitor to visit the Maori Pa, when she was able to tell the residents about the work being done for their people in Auckland. They were very thrilled and pleased with all she told them About forty were present. They afterwards entertained her to supper. It was unfortunate that Miss McLay’s visit took place during the absence'from home of our Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice-President. We are all very grateful for the work

done In Miss McLay, and now are hoping for a return visit. MARLBOROUGH WOMENS DAY OF PRAYER The monthly Day of Prayer for Women was held in the St. An Irenes Church Hall on Thursday, May 30th. Special requests for prayer wen again handed in, and the sick were specially remembered. Those taking par were Mrs. F. Rlythell, Miss E. Tarrart, Mrs. Kirk ham; Mrs. Milgrew and Mr*. F. Leslie acting as organists. Inspiring and helpful addresses were given by the leaders, and reverent prayers were offered in which the congregation joined. Hearty singing, appropriate Scripture readings, combined to produce a deeply spiritual and Helpful atmosphere which was felt hy all A missionary letter from China was read, al*r> one from a young girls in Germany. This was especially interesting, as the writer, in spite of hardships and sufferings during the war, having lost all her possessions, including her health, could still claim to lie a Christian, and in her letter could still praise God for His wonderful eoodness and preservation of her

CRADLE ROLL PARTY Master ton Union The Masterton Annual Cradle Roll Party was held in the McLaren Room, Knox Hall, on May Day Bowls of flowers and a fine day added to the plea>ure of all present. Airs. I. Taylor, Cradle Roll Superintendent, welcomed the mothers and children. A good number of mothers and over thirty children were present. Toys and picture hooks were distributed to the tiny tots, and sweets to the cMer ones. Items rendered by children from the Methodist Home, and the Reynold twins, were most «*nioyable. Salier* points from the Dominion Convention were reported b Miss Jackson. A sumptuous afternoon tea was served and done full justice to by the children.

\ happy afternoon party concluded with the singing of the Temperance Doxology.

HOME MEETING Onshuntja Union A Home meeting, held at the residence of Mrs. Mountjov, at Onehunga, was well attended. A solo was given by Mrs. Clark, duets by Mesdames Batterham and Terverndale, and a recitation by Mrs. Hatton. An address was given hv Major Rrown. formerly a Salvation A rim officer, who had married another olficcr. Following on his death, she had come to reside in Onehunga The sj eaker told of God’s marvellous leading. in sickness and health, throughout h»r life; of the many occasions when she had made what she considered good arrangements, w'hich ended in disanpointment at the time, but were in the end realised to have been divinely planned a* they eventuated, and much better than her own planning. She described various incidents during passing years, telling of her life in England, manv years in Tndia and later of her life and training in New .Mrs. Brown is musical, a fully qualified nurse, and an

interesting speaker. We were told oi how she became truly converted at the age oi ten, while at a boarding school m India, and ever suice then has proved tne truth ot the promise that God will never leave or tor sake those who trust Hun. Aluch information was given, miu photos weie passed round. lime not allowing the conclusion ot the address, -Mrs. brown consented to finish it at our 'day meeting. Afternoon tea concluded a very profitable gathering.

MISS McLAY VISITS THE NAPIER UNION Words fail to express the grateful thanks of the officers and members of -Napier Union to Miss McLay for her untiring •efforts on behalf of the work so dear to all our hearts. Miss McLay oj»eiied her work in this district by 'peaking at the monthly meeting m Napier. Following that, Miss McLay visited Southern Hawke’s Bay, returning to Napier for a brief rest bet ore going on to Wairoa and Gisborne. On her return to Napier, Miss Mcl-av was kept very busy v.siting and speaking at the following meetings The Hawke’s Bay Steam Laundry, during morning tea, the proprietors kindly extending the lime from ten to twenty minutes, to allow the s|K*aker time to present her message more fully; The B.VY.M.U., Home League, Methodist Auxiliary, ’ lurch Bearers, Hukarere “Y’s,” Maori Uub, Methodist Bible Class, Baptist Sunday School, Napier “Y’s,” and a public meeting held in Y.W.C.A. Room on May *ffh. At each of these meetings. Miss McLay gave a vital, up-to-date message, all different to suit ages and types. An invitation was extended to all who were not members to join up, with the result that the membership wa* increased by sixteen. At Hukarere It was fortunate indeed that the usual monthly meeting at the Hukarere Maori* < *irls School was due during Miss McLay’s visit to Napier, as it afforded an opportunity for her to meet the girls, just about a hundred in number, an<i gave the girls the greatly appreciated privilege of hearing Miss McLay speak oi the Hostel work, and her contact with the Maori people in Auckland and el sew here. Before Miss McLay went on to the *‘‘con<l part of her address, a break was made ic which the secretary of the group, Fat Smith, read the minutes of the previous meeting, after which the girl* entertained with action and part songs.

The girls listened with keen attention a* Miss McLay went on to tell of the injury that alcohol and *mok’ng do to the human brain and iiodv in general, and to warn against the beginning of habits which can so quickly dominate and ruin splendid young lives. Ngahine Morgan. President, duly thanked Miss McLay for her words of interest and advice. The meeting closed with the singing of a hymn and the Renediction, after which tiie girls clustered round their guest for a personal chat until taxi time, and in this wav sealed the friendliness of the whole meeting.