AMBITIOUS MOVEMENT

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 86, 10 April 1924, Page 9

AMBITIOUS MOVEMENT

GENESIS OF A NEW SPIRIT

LEAGUE OF FELLOWSHIP

BREAKING DOWN CLASS

BARRIERS.

1 (FROM OUR OWN CORRESrOKDENT.I ■ LONDON, 14th February. A noteworthy meeting of representatives of all religious creedsjand political opinions held this week at the Ritz Hotel .is a sign of the times. For the time' being the organisation set on foot is to be known as The United Family League. The fellowship of all classes and creeds during the war which inspired "Toe H" 'seems, to have inspired this new movement among adults. of both sexes. It is an effort to break down those class prejudice which- are held to be "one of the main barriers to the true peace, progress, and prosperity of the Empire. Inspiration for this new movement/ seems to have come very largely from the Marchioness Townshend. As convener of the meeting, she met with considerable success. Probably on very few occasions 'in the past has there been'such a com ing together of so many diverse elements bent on a common purpose.- It was interesting to see Prebendary Carlile (head of the Church Army) sitting between Monsignor Howlett (o*f the Roman Catholic Cathedral) ■ and Mrs. Barnardb (widow of Dr. Barnardo); the Rev. Michael Adler (representing the Chief Rabbi), -n conversation with Mrs. Bramwell Booth, and dignitaries of the Church' of England seated round'the table in close proximity with.leaders of the nonEpiscopal churches. The Marchioness of Milford Haven presided. THE CHARTER. Sir Trevor Dawson (vice-chairman and managing director ■of Messrs. Vickers) read the Charter. Tins stated that "The United Family League is. a League of Vision, for all people. Fully realising that in the great events and attributes of life, love, birth, death, joy, sorrow, suffering, faith, hope all men and women ■stand on a' perfect equality, the United Family League' lias - been founded with the following aims in view:— "1-To further, the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood throughout the > nation, so, that all men and women whd belong to.the league may feel that they are members of-one great united family. ' "2; "To foster the spirit of loyalty to the King and Constitution of that commonwealth of nations known as the British Empire, to further and strengthen the bonds of union between its various parts, and, believing that under God our Empire is one of the main powers on earth for the furtherance'of peace and goodwill amongst mankind., to devote. all energy possible to develop on peaceful lines its power and influence for good throughout the world. '"3. To.arrange social gatherings of-tKe brothers and sisters of the league at which all members.shall meet on terms of equality, ■ and by getting to'know each other better may help to break down those false and foolish-class prejudices which are one of the main barriers to the.true peace, progress,1 and prosperity of the Empire. ". ■' .' ■. . . -.", -. .' The charter went on to say that one of 'the most remarkable phenomena of the Great "War was -the manner in which the" British people throughout the - world threw aside all differences of opiniSn on all controversial matters, and stood shoulder to. shoulder, irrespective of r.ank, creed; political views, position. or wealth, and faced as one. united family the dangers and the difficulties that were common' to all. "This'■glorious spirit still exists; but.is scattered with-,, out cohesion throughout the land. To; focus and to find.a. home for this spirit from whence it may proceed to fulfil,and spread its beneficent work and Influence is the object of the United Family League-" -. . .:> '' / HOW THE MOVEMENT. STARTED. . Some very interesting speeches followed. The Marchioness Townshend explained how the movement had started in some parties at Hampstead, when all and sundry had. been invited, and every-' thing had gone off happily. She told the story of one man who had distinct pre-. judices against titled people. Aftet the party he .admitted that, "princesses and auchesses and all those are not so bad when you get to know them." Prebendary Carlile said that they had been doing in their own'way something on the lines suggested by Lady Townphend. They had given a great dinner to the poor children of London, at the Gmildhall, on behalf of the children of New Zealand, and they had 'asked the High Commissioner for New Zealand and others to be, present. But. what Lady Townshend proposed was .that they, should all sit down and have tea and eat sausages together. !He recalled that when he was at St. Mary Abbit's many years ago', they had "A to L parties,"' when all whose names began with letters from A to L sat down together, and all; whose names began with letters from M-. to Z had their particular meal together.' The scheme_ had its trials, but it was a ■ powerful influence for good. • Lady Townshend wanted to create a;similar spirit among the nation. •It was in effect the lesser sacrament of the Holy Family, and it was his heart's prayer that her call to the people would be answered. 'AN INCLUSIVE ORGANISATION. Mrs. Booth pointed out that the Salvation Army, which flew the flags of seventy-nine different countries, was working on the lines of brotherhood and fellowship, and she felt that she> could safely say, on behalf of her husband, who was now on his way to Australia, that anything he or the Salvation Army could do. to promote this movement they would gladly do. Incidentally, she mentioned that during the Great War the Salvation Army retaiued its identity, and continued its work in Germany, even though its directcir was English. Bishop ' ' Goldsmith (Archdeacon of Hampstead), said they bad had manygreat organisations in the past,-but these had invariably failed in one thing. Necessarily they were exclusive as well as inclusive. Here' was an organisaion. however, that was absolutely inclusive. Two things were necessary to restore the great ideal of' brotherhood. They would need to labour andto wait. He trusted their labour would be effective, and the waiting not too long. . FELLOWSHIP—NOT PITY. Prebendary Gough insisted that if this movement was to be constructive its impelling motive must be fellowship, not pity. Pity played its part, and a great p;irt, in human intercourse, but if those responsible for this league wished to wield all classes and creeds together in a common bond of fellowship there must be admiration and- respect rather than pity on the part of any one individual (or..section of individuals ' towards the others. If pity came into the movement it would gather iv the cranks. They did not want cranks. .' . Qther speakers were the Rev. Michael Adler, Monsignor Howlett, and Miss l_Aana Maud Hallam (an American lectur-

er on the subject.of "Business' Efficiency! and Psychology.") ;" ;"■":■• \" A resolution in favour of "'. the forma-' tion of the league was carried unanimously, and a Provincial Committee appointed to draw up a constitution. . ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE NEAR FUTURE!-' ' ■":::.:-■..■ It is proposed that in every place of worship throughout the land a short" service' > should be held on St. George's Day, or, on the day of worship nearest to' it. at] which the National Anthem should" be' sung, and reference made to the United family League, its aims and.its work. I hat once a year, on a date to be; agreed upon; in every municipal-borough^" under the direction of the Mayor, a social .gathering of the league should be held., That social gatherings of the. league should be arranged by individual members or groups of members' of -the' lea- ' gue, whenever such gatherings may. .b's deemed useful or desirable. That a" badge, of a design- to be approved by . the council, should be issued to members of the league. :, ."; " .;'.',,:. , To defray the unayoidab] c"expenses pf the league each member will be" asked to give an annual subscription'; from.ld upwards to the funds of the league.. .As] soon as the council has'been formed'ifc, is hoped to hold the first great gathering of the league at the Albert Hally'-at which an entertainment will be given" "arid tea provided, explanatory" speeches made, and all present invited,to become members of the league.