The Scheme of Things

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 57, 4 September 1937, Page 19

The Scheme of Things

By M.H.C.

tin.; reading the farewell speech of Ishbel, Countess of Aberdeen and Temair, to the National Council of Women in London, when she was relinquishing the international presidency, it is impossible not to be struck by her breadth of mind. She is an international thinker with full realisation of all that implies. She gave credit to' her husband for his lifelong support of her work and ideals, to her family for their sympathy, and a wonderful tribute to her many fellow-workers. In her eightieth year, Lady Aberdeen recalled clearly some of the many im-* ptotant things which have built up the changed position of women in the world in her time. Always a sympathiser with the leading workers ifor their fellow-women, she was fortunate, indeed, in having an understanding husband, and later a family of like mind. Sixty years ago, about the time she married, it was a very dip ferent world, and her advanced opinions must have brought to her and hers many disagreeable experiences. The many, tributes paid her at her farewell were well deserved.

iln her early days narrow-mindedness Was the rule and not the exception, especially where women were concerned. It still exists today, and is one of the painful features of the minds ajid lives of quite a number of people, both men and women. It reacts in the way of selfishness, and in a non-under-standing of the times and difficulties of other people. The narrow mind is bounded by its own experience; it cannot in social, religious, or political life, see any other points of view, and is one of the worst causes of division between .young and old people of the day on account of its mischievous reactions on the minds of better educated, better travelled, and better-read people. It is a lamentable thing that there are sq many people who do not move with the times, nor will they realise that the world-since the Great War is quite a ' different one from that of pre-war days.': In some ways it is a better world, and in quite a number of ways it is a • worse one, because so many ideas and opinions are still "in the melting pot," and it remains to be seen .what will evolve in the course ofTtime. :.:' - : ;' • ■':..

Old' "shibboleths," particularly religious ones, need to -be readjusted to suit the new mind of a new world of thought. A great deal has been, written by modern religious writerspeople who ?iave studied, thought, and giVeri-time to research; the "Jameian" translation has had much new light shed on it which is interesting, valuable," and likely to bring the grand old Book into lar greater use among modern-minded ' people of all ages. There are those, of course,. who are ready to say that they accept "Christianity, but not Churchianity," but these are often found to be people who are not much use to either. If all persons who profess Christianity and make use of their church at times of birth, marriage, anfl burial were "up and -doing" to show their interest at other times it.would, simplify the lives

of all workers for Christ, no matter to what denomination they belong. It is possible that some movements flourish in these days because they don't indulge in "pious talk," ncr do they insist on out worn creeds, but come out into the world's arena, and do something worth while for the benefit of others.

Lady Aberdeen, near the conclusion of her address, said: "I am assured that in the interests of the International Council the high ideal of the Golden Rule must ever be kept in the forefront. I presume that my patriarchal age confers on me the privilege of giving you a blessing, and I confide you and our beloved International and National Councils to the Divine guidance which we believe has followed us in our work, which we believe ■to-be of God and for God and which can claim the eternal blessing." Thus spoke the broadminded woman who has been at the head of a body which embraces most of the creeds of the world. .