THE WOMEN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21715, 24 February 1936, Page 3

THE WOMEN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

: Friday served throughout the world; as me Women's World Day of T Prayer. So well organised has this- worm-wide movement become that on February 28, from the rising to the setting of the sun, continuous intercession wiu be made for the peace of the world, arid for the success of-missions.; The movement is • international, interdenominational, and inter-racial, the women of every land and every Christian creed taking part in it. Jn 1920 women of all denominations in Canada and the United States united in prayer, the first Friday inLent being selected as the annual day. By 1927 the movement had become world-wide and has .now. extended to more than 50 countries. In England last year the day was observed to more than 100 communities, some of the meetings being held under the shadow of ancient cathedrals, with bishops and deans taking part. The order of service for the, day is that drawn up by, the women selected for the purpose by the world movement, the secretary of which is Mrs Florence G. Tyler, of New York. This year the order of ,-. service has been drawn up by Senorita Laura. Jorquera, the holder of several importaht positions in Christian organisations of Chile. She is recognised in Chilean literary circles as a promising author, arid reads and writes Spanish and English equally well. - The theme she has chosen for.the day is the. message of the angels at the birth of Christ,. "On earth peace, goodwill towards men. It is noteworthy that she has chosen to: place in the heart of "the service the story of the Christ of the Andes.

The day will begin in New Zealand and the Fiji Islands, and as the day progresses new groups in city, town, countryside, and village will join m praise and prayer, till after some 40 hours the day ends at Gambell, on Sip Laurence Island, off the coast of Alaska; 30 miles from the Arctic Circle * In Christchurch the meeting will be held, as they have been since their inception, under the auspices of the United Women's Missionary Committee. Eight denominations are represented on this committee, each denomination having two representatives. The present president is Miss K'McKee and the secretary Mrs F..J. T. Grigg. The world day of prayer is held alternately in various central church schoolrooms, and this year its location will be St. John's Anglican schoolroom, Latimer square. The morning service will be conducted by Deaconess J. E. SpencerSmith and the afternoon service by Miss E. McKee. During the afternoon service a short address on world peace will be given by Deaconess SpencerSmith and Major Battersby will give a brief missionary address. Major Battersby has been engaged in medical work for the Salvation Army in Korea, the Transvaal, and Rhodesia, and is to proceed shortly to Kenya. Meetings are also being held in a number of other New Zealand towns.