MINISTERING CHILDREN’S LEAGUE.

Evening Star, Issue 8775, 16 March 1892, Page 3

MINISTERING CHILDREN’S LEAGUE.

A public meeting was hold In the St. Matthew's Schoolroom this afternoon, at four o’clock, to promote the formation of local branches of the Ministering Children’s League, an undenominational society, founded in 1885 by the Countess of Meath, who is its central secretary. The Bishop of Dunedin presided, and there were also on the platform the Earl of Meath, Rev. Dr Stuart, and Canon Howell. The Countess of Meath was prevented through illness from attending. After the chairman had given a short address in support of the objects of the League, the following address from the Countess was read by the Earl of Meath :

Ladies and Gentlemen, —I am very sorry indeed not to bo with you to-day, and to have an opportunity of explaining to you la person the working of the Ministering Children s Lftigue which. I tiU.t, is about to be started in Punedin and its neighborhood. I should have liked to have seen your beautiful city again, and to have mot those who were kind to me on the occasion of ray visit six weeks ago. However, as my health docs not permit of my attending many meetings, Lord Meath will take ray place and give you information about the society. It Is such a simple ono that it requires little explanation. It is ju-tt seven yeats ago since it was very unpretentiously Inaugurated. It now numbers 40,000, whilst Its members are to bo found in Great Britain and in all the larger colonies. Of these New Zealand was about the only ono In which at the commencement of tho year the society had not been established; but this is no longer the esse, as, thanks to the assistance of many kind helpers, branches have been already started here. Besides those in the British dominions, the League has found meat enthusiastic workers in the United States, where through its instrumentality large auras of money have been raised L* charitable purposes; whilst a chapel, built for the Red Indians, gives very tangible evidence of the good which has been accomplished through the Instrumentality of the League. Before, however, speaking of the results. I .ought to say something about the origin of the Association. I must ask you to go back In thought with me to the Old Country, and to January, ISBO. At that time ft meeting was held in a London drawing room, to which Barents and children wore Invited. Tho vicar of the parish (the Rev. 0. J. Ridgeway) had summoned it at my request. Ho had bat recently undertaken tho cates and responsibilities of a new and largo congregation, and ha had told me that he did not feel very hopeful about the influence he was likely to gain over the older members of his Hock; ho was much mote sanguine about that which might be done for the younger. Tho proposed society seemed to him the very means of influencing children brought up In luxurious homes and tempted to lead selfish lives to take an interest in their poorer brethren, and to become less egotistical. Our meeting was not a very largo one, and I don’t suppose that anyone present dreamt that In the space of seven years the League would have travelled so far. The children who became members were pined together by tho use of a rule and of a prayer. fJt me allude to the latter first, ns many of us Ministering Children’s League associates feel that great stress should be laid on it, and that if the use cf the rule were enj fined without that of the prayer we might possibly do more harm than good. The child, if old enough, who joins the society should, in the words of the petition, ask daily to be made “ loving, kind, and useful to others,” and them the performance of kind deeds follow?, as tho natural outcome of that prayer. The rule " try to do at least one kiad deed everyday” has been criticised. What rule could possibly have been selected ■which would please everyone? Some have thought that it would be preferable to exhort the members to do several kind deeds instead of stating “at least ono.” However, if this alteration were made I think the rule would be found less definite, leas easy to keep, and more frequently neglected. The important part is that it should be faithfully observed, and we must look to our associates —who are the parents, teachers, etc. of the chUdren-to keep the young members well reminded of the fact it is useless for them to join the society unless they strive to become truer little followers of Him who wont about doing good. It is well to remember when tho rule is subject to criticism that habit is very strong, most especially In childhood, and the habit of doing at least one kind deed daily will make it more easy to do ethers ; such a habit formed m ear y chi.dhood, and observed up to the threshold of manhood or womanhood, is one which will bo ikclyto leave strong traces in the character of the boy oi »iri who has acquired it. Indeed there ia every hope that if we make true ministering children of our little ones now, we aUll be tearing up ministering men and women of the future. Tho young people who join the League ought all to bo induced to make some sacrifice for the poor. Love must begin at home, but not stop there; it roust flow out far and wide. The well-being of a branch wdl areatly depend upon some onaritablo object being oteadily worked for by the children. Those who Joined the first branch were asked not to come to meetings empty handed. Ttray were to meet but four times in the year, and ihe work was to be done at home. The outcome of this branch has been that in one year alone 1,470 articles for the poor were sent away, whilst a destitute child has been supported by the members In a home, and the associates have also undertaken to Jo the same. Tho first year of the League the society was very suspiciously regarded in England, where people are very cautious In taking up anything new. It was. therefore, most fortunate that six months after our first meeting Lord Meath and I happened to bo’ A° ,n ? *® the United States and to Canada; in both these countries, amidst enthusiastic people, league was eagerly received. Branches in. the United States spread with great , ra P l^ ik y > whilst la Canada, In ahoyt a years time a convalescent home for children was the outcome Of the League being started In Ottawa, as the associates In this city were the flrstwbomoved , the matter In consequence of the eßtabllnhment oT?WainsUtutlon, le In England started a special charity which could be supported by ?hos J beloug'ng to the League. Two homes for destitute children are now its property, and many little ones have found a happy refuge ™ilhin the walls of these charming buildings. Sa have laTelyhad a visit from Mr Mayere, who came from England to advocate the cause cf Dr Barnardo’a Homes, and it was gratifying to see how much interest has been taken In these excellent institutions in New Zealand. What is being done in them on a large scale is done In a smaller way by our Association of one , y for the maintenance , .« itj fl havfl raised a larfje budd of money 9 for starting a coffeehouse. S’vStSnST £-*.S«Sd to the Southern Hemisphere I have heard again and again good tidings of its progress and of the way fa which charitable work has been done, I hope to visit some of the Australian colontihi Mmost Immediately, and to meet several of the kind friends whose exei tions have greatly contributed to the success of the undertaking. If the League is to become a means of great y aiding the children in well-doing and this it can undoubtedly become-I must once more repeat ♦hat -we want the aid of associates who must ihemsSvesba in earnest. Young people are ready enough to catch the spark of enthusiasm, It la the Dart of us elders to see that when this lUrkla kindled Into a flame it should be kept. sfrwvLiv.l., steadily burning; and regular meetaS&SSSL will to eject this. “ Mao work undertaken for the benefit of the poor. The children are not baked for subsoripSons, but they are expected to pay 2d for their cards of membership. Associates are requested to pay 2s a year. Is belhg for central and one for local expenses. An hon. . Beor ®tary and also a treasurer should be apwinted for Lch branch, for Its well-being ahoiJd nob depend upon one person only. If a branch is very large, it may not be possible to hold meetIngTmore than four times a year but smaller biuehes axe best worked by the formation of working parties, the children meeting fortvTiJ s nr monthly. I am happy to say that Mrs Menxies, living in Moleswo.th street Wel■".""v ’ kindiv undertaken the office of She will furnish cards of membership and and hearty supporter. I am leaving «o effecting much good elsewher m^aslne well established In this colony. A, magazine SJ the ‘Ministering OhUd is pushed quarterly, which gives information rating the progress of the society, and branch sodMms are reqSerted to take it in. to dmep thelr members well informed as to what their young brothers and sisters aie doing elsewhere, it U published in England for the modest sum 01

one penny. The League, which is nn8 l eot^* n ' has been fortunate In gaining the gwd opld of people belonging to 7,?T‘ tions. As I have been connected with it from its very commencement, I may be thong prejudiced in its favor, so »ay I conclude saying that Professor Drummond, whose books have found their way into millions of homes, thinks our Assoclallon one of the most beautiful theworld has ever known whilst the Bishopof Ripon states: “The Ministering League must be of value. It sets before it a noble aim. It appeals to the highest Christian motives.” The meeting was proceeding when we went to press.