LEAGUE OF MOTHERS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 296, 10 September 1938, Page 6

LEAGUE OF MOTHERS

Interesting Talk Heard By Members The .September meeting of the Eastbourne League of Mothers was very well attended. Mrs. Shearer, president, was in the chair, and opened the meeting with the league prayer. This was followed by a members’ lip-service, at which eight new members were admitted.

The president extended a hearty welcome to Mrs. Buddle, former president of the Karori branch; to Mrs. Wylie, former president of the Epsom branch; to Mrs. Roberts, a member from Island Bay, and to all other visitors and members, particularly those newly admitted. She also welcomed back those who had been away through illness.

As this was the first meeting since the re-election of officers, Mrs. Wise congratulated Mrs. Shearer, and welcomed her back to the chair. The thought, given by Mrs. McIlraith, was, “It is only when we are living up to the highest that we are not letting down others.” Mrs. Stuart sang “Be Good, Sweet Maid,” and Mrs. Bennett recited two Items on the subject of home. Both the artists were presented with bouquets. Mrs. Shearer welcomed and introduced the Rev. H. S. I. Kenney, who gave an inspiring address on the sanctity of marriage. He said this was a subject of very great importance, as really all human relationships were. . Failure in these relationships mar/bd something precious within us; He spoke of the' two marriage ceremonies, the civil, which was a contract between two people, and the religious. In most people there was a deply-rooted instinct about the spiritual relationship of marriage. Marriage should mean a shared life o-f intimacy and friendships, and there were broad principles on which it could be built successfully. The physical attraction had a definite and a rightful part to play. In the perfect marriage two people shared each other’s ideas and feelings, and explored life’s truths together. A wise husband and wife shared each other's interests, especially mentally and spiritually. There should be a right understanding of what love was; it was more than romance and glamour. True love was as completely unselfish as that of a mother for her child. Those entering marriage needed to have self-control, loyalty, trust and consideration for others. The church ceremony was not necessarily a joining together by God, that depended on the spiritual understanding of the contracting parties. Those entering the married state needed preparation, they needed to consider what it implied, and to realise what it required to be successful. Mr. Kenney finished his address by reading Moffat’s translation of the thirteenth chapter of Corinthians on “Love.”

Mrs. Wilcox, an moving a vote of thanks, which was carried by acclamation, said the speaker had given ail something that really mattered to think about.

The singing of the National Anthem and the partaking of afternoon tea ended a happy meeting.