HOSPITAL SUNDAY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 179, 13 May 1935, Page 6

HOSPITAL SUNDAY.

THE ANNUAL CHURCH SERVICE.

ADDRESS BY REV. R. S. WATSON

To bring before the world the noble services of the nursing profession and the hospitals, National Hospital Week is held annuallyl in England and America to coincide with the birthday of Florence Nightingale. The movement is spreading to other countries, and a special service was held in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church last evening as a part of the Ashburton observance. Yesterday was the 115th anniversary of the birth of ''The Lady of the Lamp." The service was arranged by the Ashburton Ministers' Association, and the large congregation of representatives of the medical, nursing and'dental professions included: Messrs W. G. Gallagher (chairman), W. Bryant, W. H. Wilkinson, F. Frampton and Dr. J. Russell Wells (members of the Ashburton Hospital Board), Dr. A. J. Mason (Medical Superintendent), Miss E. J. Watt (Matron), Mr A. Prentice (secretary), members of the olfice and outdoor staffs, sisters and nurses from public and private hospitals, and Dl's. G. I. Miller, W. R, Ryburn and N. E. H. Fulton.

The first lesson, which was read by Mr W. G. "Gallagher, was Psalm XXIII., and the second reading, from Matthew XXV., verses 31-46, was given by Dr. Miller (a member of the Board of Managers of the Church). Mr Watson, prior to commencing his address, welcomed those present and stated that his association . with the staffs of the hospitals in Ashburton had been one of the happiest in his life. He based his remarks on three verses in the Epistle of James, chapter .5, verses 15-16. He referred to the birth of Florence Nightingale in 1820 and spoke on psycho-religious healing—the assistance of a right attitude of mind and spirit in the healing of bodily ailr ments.

The hymns, which were specially chosen, dealt with the sick and the ministry of healing, and the choir, under Mr L. J. Watt, rendered the anthem "Sun of My Soul."