Commando Battalion On Marriage"

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28514, 18 February 1958, Page 2

Commando Battalion On Marriage"

An eminent English bishop recently described the Mothers’ Union as “a commando battalion on marriage,” and according to the central president of the Worldwide Mothers’ Union (Mrs C. B. Roberts) it is a very apt title. This battalion of the Anglican Church, 600,000-strong throughout the world, has as its objects the upholding of the sanctity of marriage; the awakening in all mothers of a sense of responsibility in training their children as Christians; and the organising in every place of a band of women who will pray. Like military commandos they must be fitted for their task and convinced that their mission ;s worthwhile. By studying the teachings of the Church on marriage. Mothers’ Unions are trying to carry out these aims by bringing other women into the Church and helping them to understand the demands and responsibilities which marriage puts on them, Mrs Roberts said in Christchurch yesterday. . , , “We emphasise the vital need for the permanence of the home so that children may be brought up in a background of security, ’ she said. “This is essential for the child’s growth of body, mind and spirit, nurtured by the parents.”

Report on TV Everything that affects the home and the lives of children has become the concern of the Mothers’ Union movement. It makes its contribution towards setting a high standard of literature and entertainment. Recently, the organisation was asked by the Independent Television Authority to make a comprehensive investigation on the effects of this medium on children. The findings of this report will have a tremendous influence on the future planning of children’s programmes, the union has been told. Mrs Roberts believes that the union’s great strength lies in members’ continued prayer for the organisation’s work. The ‘‘Wave of Prayer,” for instance, ensures that special prayers are being said continually for 24 hours of the day, for a given period, throughout the world. ‘‘Every five days, a diocese >n the British Isles and a diocese overseas prays for the Mothers Union at 12 noon,” she said. “As midday travels round the globe so the prayers go on from one country to another.” In India Mothers’ Unions in India and Africa, for instance, have their own particular problems. “In these countries there is the difficulty of maintaining a high standard of marriage apd of Christian homes against a background of polygamy, fear of evil spirits, nonChristian religions, the rise of nationalism, and long traditions of loose marriage,” she said. Even so, the organisation in Britain and in Commonwealth countries has its fight to preserve its objects. “The problem of broken homes is constantly before us in Britain with all the suffering that comes

in its wake for little children,’’ she said. “The divorce rate in England is beginning to fall, but there is a great deal to be done yet to promote better and sounder homes.” Mrs Roberts is visiting New Zealand to see her son, Dr. Colin Roberts, of Auckland. But while in the Dominion she will address meetings of Mothers’ Unions in Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington and Christchurch. Her husband, who died last year, was Bishop of Singapore for many years and was also secretary for 12 years of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. With her husband, Mrs Roberts travelled extensively in many countries. Badge of Office A member of x the Mothers’ Union for 30 years, Mrs Roberts was president of the union in the Diocese of Canterbury in England for four years before election to her present office. Her badge of the central presidency, handed on to successive office-holders, has the dark blue and white enamel “M.U.” motif, surrounded by a circle of diamonds representing the world. Today, Mrs Roberts will address the Mothers’ Union of the Diocese of Christchurch at their festival. This was to have been held in the grounds of Bishopcourt, but an unfavourable weather forecast probably means that the festival will have to be held in the Caledonian Hall.