Y.W.C.A.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20021, 1 September 1930, Page 2

Y.W.C.A.

ADDRESS BY MR A. J. M'ELDOWNEY. "The development of international understanding through religious organisations" was the subject of a brief address by Mr A. J. McEldowney, general secretary of the Y.M.C.A., at a service of thanksgiving at the Y.W.C.A. yesterday. The purpose of the service was to give thanks for funds raised for the world fellowship campaign of the Y.W.C.A., and the various clubs brought forward the contributions they had raised and gave them to the Association. Mr McEldowney said the question was what contribution could religious organisations make toward the peace of the world. At no time had peace been so much talked about and thought about as it was at present, yet there was evidence that suspicion and enmity still existed between the nations. More than peace pacts and covenants were needed to bring about the true spirit of peace. There had to be a development of the idea among the peoples of the world through religious conviction, and here organisations such as the Y.M.C.A. and the Y.W.C.A. and the Student Christian Movement had their opportunity of developing international understanding. After showing what could be done through study and discussion circles, Mr McEldowney concluded with the words used by Rabbi Hertz, the head of the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Empire, when discussing the question at a conference of varied denominations: "I wish to state that I can conceive of no more sacred duty confronting the world to-day than a full explanation of this question, and explicit and helpful formation of the answer, and the consequent organisation "of the world's religious forces in the service of peace." In the course of the service a musical item was presented by Miss Millicent Jennings.