Women’s Division of The Farmers’ Union

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 209, 3 September 1941, Page 5

Women’s Division of The Farmers’ Union

The monthly meeting was held yesterday afternoon, opening devotional exercises being taken by Mrs. Eckersley, who spoke for a few minutes on the test, “In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.’’ Amid the turmoil and stress of the present time, the person who was equal to any emergency and was undaunted by any event, however direful, was the one who spent, much time “in the secret place of the Most High.” One who had confidence in God was able to inspire confidence in others. The president (Miss C. Jamieson) then welcomed the visitors, Mrs. W. M. Garner, the speaker for the afternoon, and the singing circle of the League of Mothers: also a former member, Mrs. Hills, and Mrs. M. A. Pitcher, the latter being 92 years of age, having the honour of being the oldest member present. The president also expressed her pleasure that Mr. ITodder was sufficiently well after his long illness for Mrs. Hodder to be present, and that Mrs. A. G. Stuart was out of hospital and also able to attend. Tn beginning her talk, Mrs. Garner said all would be familiar with the florist’s advertisement, “Plant now for summer flowering.’’ She would base her remarks on that. The spring flowers were now appearing in all their beauty. Anyone who had anything to do with gardening knew that such beauty could not ire attained without labour. One had to dig, plant, guard and train. In soul culture also human beings had much to do. If one did ont want to be disagreeable and unloved in one’s old age, one had to sow seeds of kindness, generosity, good temper in the springtime <sf life. To have a beautiful face, one had to guard one’s thoughts. Thoughts of kindliness cheerfulness and helpfulness produced facial lines which were pleasing to others, while worrying, critical and unkind thoughts left lines which were not beautiful. Instead of having hard, fault-finding thoughts of others, one should adopt to all the attitude of “I know something good about you.” The speaker went on to say that she had known a man once who was good enough in a general sort of way, but who had a violent temper. He excused this fault by saying: “I have an outburst like this occasionally, but it is soon over and then forgotten.” Her husband had reminded him that a shotgun was like that. The action was quick and soon over, but it could kill. Words were sweet, but they also had stings. They could brighten and cheer, but they could also cut like a two-edged knife. The speaker said she would close with the King’s Christmas message to the British nation, “Go out into the dark- ; ness and put your hand into the hand of God, whose guidance would be better than a light and better than a known way.” The singing circle of the League of Mothers, led by Mrs. Lyon, gave pleasure by two choruses, and Mrs. Lyon sang sympathetically and feelingly the hymn, “Abide with Me.” The accompanists were Mrs. Boon and Mrs. S. T. Wrigley. Mrs. J. S. Scott expressed thanks to Mrs. Garner and the singing circle for the pleasure and inspiration they had given. The meeting then closed with prayer.