Pleasant Afternoon at St. Peter’s Mothers’ Union

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 160, 9 July 1938, Page 15

Pleasant Afternoon at St. Peter’s Mothers’ Union

TALK BY MRS. J. S. HORNBLOW St. Peter’s hall was gay with tables ; laid with snowy cloths and vases of ’paper whites and jonquils when the (monthly meeting of St. Peter’s Mothers’ Union was held yesterday 'afternoon. Rev. F. S. Ramson presided over a largo attendance. Prior to the meoting a service in the church was conducted by Bov. Ramson. Rev. Ramson reported that Mrs. N. Blake, who is in hospital, is making satisfactory progress towards recovery. Some Impressions. The speaker for the afternoon was Mrs. J. S. Hornblow, who gave her ini- ! pressions of tho work of tho Mothers Union. Mrs. Hornblow needed no introduction to the inemDers, Rev. Ramson said, further remarking that she had spoken on her subject at a meeting of the new-ly-formed branch of the Mothers’ Union j in Woodville and had been very well received, her talk proving most helpful, i At the outset Mrs. Hornblow gave her impressions of the meeting which she had addressed on the work of mothers’ unions. She then dealt with the question of the sanctity of marriage and stressed the necessity of bringing young mothers to tho meetings, lhc next phase of the work of the Mothers’ Union, the speaker went on to say, was the necessity of making parents aware of their responsibilities towards their children. This was one of the founder’s ideals, she said, but since Mary Sumner’s day, life had become infinitely more complicated, and a rc-adjustment had to bo made. The Mothers’ Union had realised tho need for closer cooperation between mother and child, and the lectures made available by the Mothers’ Union were of considerable help to those seeking it. ideal of the Mothers’ Union was to work and pray, Mrs. Hornblow went on to say, and much could be done in this way for abandoned mothers, who were in much need of help. A word of warning, too, was given by the speaker, who urged members to go to their vicar or enrolling member when they had anything to discuss, as when things were openly discussed with them much good could be done. It was no use discussing grievances over tho teacups, Mrs. Hornblow said. The third ideal of tho Mothers’ Union was to form a band of women united in prayer to lead by example and prayer a life of purity and to bring up their children in these ideals.

In England, Mrs. Hornblow said, tho Mothers’ Union had a committee which watched legislation affecting the welfare of women and children and had a similar committee beeu iu existence in New Zealand when tho question of religious instruction in schools came before the House, it could liavo done much to relievo the present situation. Mrs. Hornblow read an extract from the Bishop of Nelson’s speech at the Mothers’ Union Festival, in which he stressed tho necessity of a religious background in tho child’s life.

Tho historical side of. aDy movement was a great help when it came to the question of its work and scope, Mrs. Hornblow concluded, urging members to road “Mary Sumner’s Life and Work” and reminded them of her slogan: “Work and Prayer.” Mrs. Hornblow’s interesting talk was an inspiration, Mr. Ramson said, in thanking her. The Mothers’ Union was one of the most important organisations of the Church, he said, because, with tho mothers lay the responsibility of bringing up the future members of the Church. Pianoforte solos by Miss D. Lancaster added to the enjoyment of the afternoon, Mr. Ramson conveying the thanks of the members. Mesdames V. M. Bee, D. F. Christie and M. Bee served a dainty afternoon tea. A choir practice for the opening of the centenary appeal service to be held at All Saints* at the end of this month was led by Mrs. K. McDowall.