FOUNDED IN 1887

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 36, 11 August 1937, Page 16

FOUNDED IN 1887

ST. JOHN'S WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION

JUBILEE BANQUET LAST

NIGHT

There was an attendance of over two hundred people at a jubilee banquet held in the Church Schoolroom last night by the Women's Association of St. John's Presbyterian Church, Wellington, to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the association's foundation in 1887.- Among those present were past officers of the association and representatives of sister churches. It was a very happy occasion. The hall was decked with greenery, and the five long tables with masses of Iceland poppies.

The Rev. J. R. Blanchard was chairman. He welcomed the members and visitors and conveyed the good wishes of the Church Session. In response

to the toast of the Church, proposed by the president of the association, Mrs. J. M. Wilson, Mr. Blanchard said that we were living in an age of much confusion and great chaos. Accepted standards were being challenged, and everything seemed awry, the only constant place from which any definite message was declared in the name of God being the Church. On behalf of the past and present members of St. John's congregation, Mrs. Wilson presented to Mr. Blanchard, for the Church, a lovely handembroidered Communion cloth. Mr. Blanchard said the gift was very acceptable, as the Church had a particularly beautifurCommunion table, there being no other like it in all the Presbyterian Churches in New Zealand. A gift of a Bible for use in the opening devotions of the regular meetings of the association was also received, the gift being from Mrs. Blanchard, who was unable to be present, as she is in hospital. While Mrs. C. S. Moore" read the names of the sixteen foundation members,, all of whom are dead, those present' stood in silence. . Speeches were made by Mrs. W. S. Austin and Mrs. H. Wlson (past presidents) and Mrs. Gill (senior surviving past president) cut the large birthday cake. Others present who proposed toasts, included Lady Troup, Mrs. Holley, Mrs. H. Glover, Miss Sinclair, Mrs. Baudinet, Miss J. Hanchet, Mrs. Inglis, and Mrs. P. M. Cameron. Mrs. D. Duncan entertained with a charming song. V HISTORY OF SERVICE. The story told *by early members and the descendants of foundation members, as well as the historical records of St. John's Church, show that the history of the Women's Association and its allied Young Women's Association and Missionary Union must have been deeply engraved upon the hearts and lives of the poor and distressed of this city, as well as in all parts of the Dominion, and even abroad where disaster had fallen upon the people; also in the lives of the New Zealand men who fought'in the Great War. Comforts and garments were supplied to the Red Cross, the hospital ships, and the Soldiers' Club in Sydney Street. It is also written in the history of the Presbyterian orphanages, the Turakina Maori Girls' College, and the Boys' Institute, all of which were liberally supported in cash and kind. The Presbyterian Home and Maori Missions and the foreign missions in the New Hebrides, India, and China have been their particular care throughout the years and by sales of work and direct giving thousands of pounds raised by them have been d-2----voted to this work.