MOTHERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

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

MOTHERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

IMPOSING THANKSGIVING SERVICE. (from ors CWS COESISPOKDENT.) LONDON, July 25. In Westminister Abbey last evening tho delegates to tho Mothers' Union World-Wide Conference held a service of thanksgiving. This was the final item in the fortnight's programme. The west nave of the Abbe.v was used for the service. Apart from tho male choir and the officials of the cathedral, the congregation was almost entirely composed of women. Delegates to the conference wore either black, gold, or blue veils on their heads, according to the parts they took in the service. These, with the small forest of banners which were held by one section, lent a picturesqueness to the to the scene. After prayers and & hymn, the Dean of Westminster recited the Form of Commemoration of Foundress and Benefactors, in which the following names were mentioned: Mary Sumner; Emily, Lady Hertford; Horatio Erskine; Victoria Buxton, (who established the Union in Australia); Augusta Maclagan (President in the Province of York); Mary de Winton, (who inaugurated the work in Wales); Ada Matthew, (first Central Secretary); and Mary Clay, (Central Vice-President and Member of the Central Council for many years). While the choir and the congregation sang the hymn, "Ye watchers and ye holy ones", certain members of the Union selected to represent each of the Dioceses in which the Society works were conducted to the chancel, where they presented purses to the Dean. The Central President addressed the Dean: "It is my privilege, as Central President of the Mothers' Union, to beg you to accept these offerings which wc desire to make to the Dean and Chapter of the Collegiate Church of St. Peter in Westminster, in token of our gratitude to Almighty God for the founding of our world-wide Fellowship by His servant, Mary Sumner, and for the many blessings with which Ho haa blessed us. It is our hope that it may serve for the enrichment of your great and historic Church."

The Procession. A procession "was then formed and passed round the Abbey. It was led by the members of the Collegiate Church of St. Peter in Westminster, with the Cross of Westminster, the Banner of St. Martin, the Cross, the Banner of the Patron Saint, and the Banner of Our Lady. Then came the president and vice-presidents of the Union with black veils. They were followed by bearers of banners, of all the branches in England, Ireland, and Wales. Then followed the banners of the branches in India, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies, United States, and of the Dioceses under the Metropolitical See of Canterbury, of the Chinese Holy Catholic Church, and of the Holy Catholic Church in Japan, and, finally, the banner of the Mothers' Union—nearly 200 in all. It was a very inspiring sight. When the head of the procession reached the grave of the Unknown Warrior a wreath was placed on it by the Central President. The concluding hymn was. For all the Saints who from their labours rest"; and the National Anthem followed the Blessing.