MRS. BARNEY'S MISSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10427, 27 April 1897, Page 5

MRS. BARNEY'S MISSION.

As official welcome was accorded yesterday afternoon by the Auckland branch of the Women's Christian Temperance Union to Mrs. J. K. Barney, of Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America, superintendent of the prison reform work of the World Women's Christian Temperance Union. The gathering was held in the church parlour of the Pitt-street Wesleyan Church. Afternoon tea was dispensed. Among those present were the Revs. W J Williams, H, R. Dewsbury, J. Crump, A. Poters, W. Gittos, W. A. Sinclair, Aldridge, Haselden (secretary of the Prohibition League). Mrs. Schnackenberg (president of local Union) presided. Ine epeakers who delivered addresses of welcome were-the Rev. W.J. Williams, on behalf of Prohibition League; Dewebury, on behalf of the clergy; an officer of the Salvation Army on behalf of that organisation ; Sister Francis on behalf of the Door of Hope; and Mrs. Hendre, as lady visitor to the Avondale Asylum. A hopo was expressed that Mrs, Barney s mission would be a success, and wished her God-speed, and that priwm reform work should contemplate not merely detection and punishment, but reform. Mrs. Barney acknowledged the welcome accorded in feeling terms. Mias Willard had intended coming herself to these colonies, but owing to ill-health was unable to do so, and insisted that she (Mrs. Barney) should go. She spoke of prison reform work as being one department of the wo.k of the W.C.T.U., and there were no leas than 48 departments of labour within the organisation. She expressed a hope that the Church Sunday-schools would not confine themselves simply to religious instruction, but also bo an agency of temperanco and in touch witli Christianity. The women should not be discouraged by partial or temporary failure. They shonid do as the American women, who wont straight ahead, never knowing when they were beaten. The Rtv. W. Gittos concluded the proceedings. In the evening Mrs. Barney delivered an address in Wesley Hall, on "Christian Work and Workers.'' Mrs. Schnackenberg again presided, and briefly introduced Mrs. Barney to thoso present, as one of the leading women of the White Ribbon Army. Mrs. Barney based her discourse on the incidents of the 2nd chapter of St. Mark, dealing principally with the healing of the paralytic. Sho enforced lessons of promptness in dealinp with casos oi need, the value of co-operation in Christian work, perseverance in overcoming difficulties, and the success of all work brought into touch with Christianity. The address was illustrated from by-incidents from her own wide experience of reform work. Mrs. Barney is a clear and forcible speaker, at times rising to the verge of eloquence. To-day Mrs. Barney will give a Bible reading ab the Young Men's Christian Asaociation, to which the public are invited. In the evening Mrs. Barney will deliver, in the same hall, a lecture, entitled, "Called to the Resoue," in which she will specially deal with her experiences of prison reform work.