THE MOTHERS’ UNION

Evening Star, Issue 19893, 15 June 1928, Page 2

THE MOTHERS’ UNION

EXTENT OF THE MOVEMENT | Last night St. Paul’s Schoolroom 1 was filled to overflowing by members and friends of tho Mothers' Union, when tho Rev. W. A. Hamblelt lectured on ‘Around the A\itb the Mothers’ Union.’ Tho Chairman said that the Mothers Union was one of the finest organisations in the Christian church. It was raised up by God from tho times nhen attempts were made to loosen the marriage tie. Its strong emphasis upon the sanctity of marriage, tho duty of parents to train their children for heaven, and tho power of prayer through the banding together of mothers for the preservation of pure family life made it a power in the Empire and in countries and foreign lands where branches existed. The speaker paid a tribute to the support so enthusiastically given by Lady Alice Fergusson, who is tho dominion president. The formation of a league of mothers was also welcomed. The league was spreading the objects of tho Mothers’ Union. Diocesan councils were now established in many southern dioceses of the dominion, and the movement in Otago was giving evidence of now life in the increases of branches and membership. With the aid of a number of lantern slides, the Rev. Hamblett described the progress of the Mothers’ Union in various parts of the world. The union was formed in a country parish in Hampshire in 1876 by a Mrs Mary Sumner. In 1885 it became a diocesan organisation in Winchester under the patronage of tho bishop, and thence spread rapidly throughout the dioceses of England, until, at the present time, it was a world-wide organisation of 500.000 members and 10,000 branches. Of these 1,800 were overseas, and included four native diocesan presidents —two in China, one in India, and one in Africa. So influential had the organisation become that the Bishop of London said in the May number of tb© ‘Workers’ Paper’; “When the union takes up a reform the House of Lords trembles.” At the jubilee of the society, in 1926, the King granted it a Royal Charter. The Queen is patron of the society, and the fine building in London known as the Mary Sumner House was a memorial to the founder, who gave to the world fortyfour years of faithful and enthusiastic service.

During the evening, the following items were presented:—Piano solo, Miss J. Jones; song, Mrs Isaacs; vocal duet, Mesdames Macdonald and Gordon; reading, Miss Holland and party.