MOTHERS DAY.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2645, 14 May 1923, Page 3

MOTHERS DAY.

SYMBOL OF WHITE FLOWER. Yesterday was Mother's Day, and all over the world, wherever the Y.M.C.A. triangle is established, the day was reverently observed. At the local in. stitution some two hundred boys and men of all ages gathered to pay a tribute to “Mother,” and the white flower was conspicuous in every buttonhole. Mr J. Balsillie presided, and as. sociated with him on the platform were the Revs. M, A. Rugby-Pratt and B. Frederick. The proceedings were bright and in addition to a number of hymns, vocal solos were given.

In his address, the Rev. RugbyPratt referred to the white flower, which was the symbol of Mother’s Day. The widespread popularity of the glorious little white carnation represented the swooping world acknow. lodgment of motherhood. The flower stood for purity, fidelity, and endur. ance. The speaker dwelt at some length on the mother’s influence in the homo. On the nu..ornal bosom the mind of nations reposed—their man. ners, their prejudices and virtues—in a word, the civilisation of the human race all depended upon material influence. The great Napoleon had said that the chief need of France was mothers. Other great men, Carlyle, Ruskin. and the like, had devoted chapters to this wonderful subject. In touching on home life, the speaker mentioned how it went down to the very roots of the nation. The ceils of the nation’s life were the homes of the people. That day was a day which called them to exalt old ideals and called us back to the Christ of our mothers. It is a great thing to bow down before an ideal,” said the Rev. Mr Pratt’, 'but a far greater thing to get right down to make that ideal an actuality. Let us then get right down to business and worship the ideals of our mothers, and make them an actu. ality.” (Applause.) The Rev. Frederick led in prayer.

The solo vocalists were Messrs Bennett, Tennott, Kissliug, and East. Mr McLeavey was accompanist. A hearty vote of thanks, moved by Mr H. E. Pacey to those who had kindly associated themselves with the function was carried by acclamation.