All Saints’ Branch Of Mothers’ Union

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7268, 22 September 1933, Page 2

All Saints’ Branch Of Mothers’ Union

ENTERTAINS LEAGUE OF MOTHERS

Members of All Saints’ branch of the Mothers’ Union were delighted to have as their guests at their monthly meeting on Wednesday afternoon many members of the League of Mothors. The largo attendance necessitated removal to the larger hall, which was comfortably arranged and beautifully decorated with spring bulbs, japonica, forsythia and blossom. Rev J. A. C. Zimmerman presided in the absence of Canon Woodward, and welcomed the visitors. He expressed Mb appreciation of an interchange of visits between sister organisations which did much to foster a true Christian • fellowship. He offered apologies foT absence on behalf of Canon Woodward, Mcsdames Rush, Hewitt and Bagnall.

The speakor for the afternoon was Miss Z. A. Sowxy, a former resident of Palmerston North, at present on furlough from the mission field in Southern India. Miss Lowry has been woricin,g for over four years in the Kistna district, and has latterly been stationed at Raghnbapuram. In the course of a most thoughtful address Miss Lowry detailed the missionary work among the “untouchables,” and showed that quietly and surely the Christian influence was bringing about the breakingdown of caste and giving to these downtrodden people hope for the future. Much had been heard of late years of the political struggles in India and Gandhi had worked all his life to remove untouchabillty. Tho speaker explained the meaning of casto and painted a, vivid picture of the life of tho outcasts, which was deplorable in the extreme, with conditions more terrible even than the worst slums. Miss Lowry went on to tell the atory of tho baptism, of the first outcast man, which took place over 80 years ago. From that time on the Church had grown until now 150,000 outcasts had been gathered in. Because of the visible change in the lives of these people, 10,000 caste people had been baptised. Thus in the Telugu Church was seen the removal, of untouch ability —not because of the denunciation of great statesmen, but by the work of the Holy Spirit wore caste and outcasts being brought together. “The wonderful work goes on, not only in the Church, but also in the schools, where former ‘'untouchables’ are teachers and leaders, intelligent and clever, and devoted to their work and their great faith,” the speaker added. “As evidence of thoir great enterprise, a Mothers’ Union is on foot,and the people are happy in their work, regular in their attendance at Church, and ever grateful to tho missionary for bo completely altering tho course of their wretched lives. Even tho Brahmins,” said Miss Sowry, “were clamouring for the Christian faith, and pressing for Christian ministers, churches and schools, and she instanced the case of one prominent Brahmin gentleman who begged for his area to be made a centre for the Church, placing his homo and wealth at its disposal. Miss Sowry had many tales of simple native faith ito relate. Every year there was an evangelistic campaign, generally in May, when it was so hot that the missionaries retired to the hills. That was the time when Indian teachers, themselves converted, canvassed the villages, preaching the Gospel to the heathens and gathering recruits for the great Christian Church. Always there was the cry for teachers, but unfortunately there was little response, and the hard-working band of English missionaries was sadly in need of help. Miss Sowry described her mode of teaching, how she, with her companion, Miss Smith, travelled round among the people, camping here one night and in another village tho next. ‘ ‘Our war is not against flesh and blood,” said Miss Sowry, “but against the spiritual forces of sin and -wicked' ness,” and her earnest plea was for prayer for the Indian people in their trials; their struggle to forget their false gods, and those who were working so earnestly to bring light, and happiness in the lives of these people needed the prayers of all Christian people. , , . Pleasure was given to the gathering by items rendered by M» Hunt (songs) and the Mesdames Pritchard and Jamieson (vocal duet). Mrs McNeiTly played the accompaniments. Thanks to Miss Sowry for her inspiring address were voiced by Rev. Zimmerman, who said all would go home with a better appreciation of the wonderful work being' carried out m the Indian mission fields, where trials were great but where joys and pnviliges wore also great. Miss Sowry, who was picturesquely attired in tho sari and jacket as worn by the women of Telugu, was presortt- ■ ed with a posy by Norma Davey. She I had an interesting collection of curios which were viewed with pleasure, ini eluding a replica of tho bullock cart in which she travelled, about the country. : Miss Sowry also sang a verse of _ a : canticle in the language of her district to the accompaniment of brass cymbals. | Mrs Wilkinson, a vice-president o t the League of Mothers, returned thanks to the Mothers’ Union for the pleasant afternoon, and conveyed an invitation to the members to- attend the next meeting of the league. She also apologised for the unavoidable absence of the president, Mrs G. G. Hancox.

The tea helpers, who served a very nice afternoon tea, were Mesdames Martin, Biockley, Engles, Cutler and 11. Brougham (convener).