MOTHERS’ UNION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 168, 15 June 1940, Page 11

MOTHERS’ UNION.

BIRTHDAY PARTY AT ST. PETER’S St. Peter’s parish hall had a festive appearance, yesterday, when the fourth birthday of the Mothers’ Union: was celebrated. , Big bowls of guide*, wattle were placed in the corners and vases ol Iceland poppies and birch on the tea tables. Autumn leaves and mauve stylosi added further decorative touches, aiid in the centre of the room a beautifully iced birthday cake, decorated in blue and gold on white, and bearing four candles, occupied a table by itself. There was a large attendance of members alia visitors, including members from All Saints' and Foxton Mothers’ Unions. Rev. F. S. Ramson presided and conducted the opening service in the church. He extended a welcome lo those present, remarking that though the branch was young it was lusty. He thanked the committee for their efforts in arranging the ball and Mrs MePhail for the gift of the birthday cake, also calling attention to the new teacups in the Mothers’ Union colours, given by the members. He thanked the donors and Mr F. Bennett who had made a box to. contain the cqps. • v . Items were given by Mrs. Fiebig, songs (accompanied by Mrs McPherson; ; Miss Joy Clark, songs (.self-ac-companied) ; Dorothy Mcixegg, musical monologue (accompanied tjy Mrs A. R. McKegg) ; and recitation, Janet Speight. ‘ _ •_ • Mr Ramson introduced Miss E. M. Berg, ail organiser of tlie British and Foreign Bible Society, who gave a brief talk. She recounted how Queen Victoria had told an Indian prince that the British Empire owed its greatness to the Bible. It this was so, it was largely due to the work ol the British and Foreign Bible Society. The society, Miss Berg proceeded, was founded in 1804, prior to which comparatively few families could afford to buy Bibles. Thirteen years afterwards practically every homo in England liad tlie Book, and it had now been translated into a thousand languages. Last year the sales of the Bible had increased by 100,000 in China alone and orders for 34,000 had to be refused. Miss Berg read the message from the King inserted in the New Testaments presented to the troops. Every man leaving New Zealand with the fighting forces received one, and at the end of February 600,000 New Testaments had been presented to the troops throughout the Empire. Miss Berg was accorded a vote of thanks on the motion of Mr Ramson.

Afternoon tea was 'served by the hostesses, Mesdames E. S. Ramson, Brown, MePhail, Bennett, Bayley. Taylor, and Mewett. -Mr Ramson called on Mrs MePhail to light the candles, Mrs Brown to blow them out, and Mrs Ramson to cut the cake. Thanks for the hospitality extended to the visitors were conveyed by Mesdames G. Y. AVoodward .(All Saints’) and Stote-Blandy (Foxton). Members of St. Peter’s Union were reminded of their turn in charge of the patriotic shop.