TOURING PADRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19027, 26 May 1925, Page 10

TOURING PADRES.

THE " TOO H " MOVEMENT. HISTORY OF ITS GROWTH. ! EMISSARIES IN AUCKLAND. Two oT. tho principal figures in the "Tog H." movement—the founder, the Ucv. 'P. 15. Clayton, M.C., and M. P. G. Leonard, D.S.A., who nro on an Empirewide mission to spread the gospel of goodfellowship and unselfish service, arrived by the Niagara yesterday from Vancouver. The two padres arc travelling the world to sow the seeds of tho movement which aims to teach young Britishers to think fairly, to love widely, to build bravely, to witness humbly and to spread tho gospel without preaching it. "Toe 1f.," which is a signaller's abbreviation for "Talbot. House," was given birth during the war. Mr. Clayton, who was attached to tho "Buffs" as chaplain, founded Talbot House at Poperinghe, near Ypres, in December, 1915. It, was named after Gilbert Talbot, the youngest and most brilliant son of the Bishop of Winchester, who made the supreme sacrifice on .July 30, 1915, while lighting nobly for his country. "Talbot House was like a university." stated Mr. Clayton. "All kinds of funny things happened thero which helped to take'the minds of tho men away from tho war. Our motto was ' All rank abandon ye who enter hero,' and oflicers and men mixed together quite informally and the greatest friendships were built up." Talbot House had a fine library and, in addition to reading, there were games, debating and other diversions. Over 100.000 inijn passed through tfio chapel in the loft during the course of the war. Work Since the War. For a year after the armistice little was heard of "Toe II." It had done so much good and had so many admirers, however, that it was not allowed to die. Accordingly the spirit of the movement was applied to peace conditions and to-day is one of tho strongest forces in Great Britain. Thero are some 10,000 picked members who have pledged themselves to serve in the interests of their fellowcreatures. "Wo do not aim at largo numbers," Mr. Clayton said. "Wo want picked voting men, active workers who will do some good whatever it may bo in the community. Many people seem to think that 'Toe 11.' exists for ex-service men. This is a wrong impresion. We want the coming generation to emulate the spirit that was manifested during the war—a spirit of unselfishness, of selfsacrifice." It was the most democratic movement in tho Empire, and its members were trying to combat class hatred. Just as there was national hatred during war, so there was class hatred during peace. They wanted tho rich children to .understand the poor. The people of England were supporting tho movement wholeheartedly, and the members of "Toe H" were doing splendid work. Several houses bad been purchased in England, and here members lived in an environment of friendship and happiness. Touring the World. Messrs. Clayton and Leonard left England last February. They visited New 'York, Boston and other cities in the United States and received wonderful and sympathetic hearings everywhere. They then went on to Canada, where "Toe H" has a very strong hold. Here the two padres were kept going day and night in delivering addresses and explaining the movement. They will spend about two weeks in the Dominion, and hope branches will ultimately be established hcrfr. They will explain the movement in the various towns they visit. From New Zealand they will proceed to Australia, tho Federated Malay States and India. It is interesting to note that Mr. Clayton was born at Maryborough, Queensland. His father came out from England in .1861, and is still alive. Mr. Clayton was taken back to England when yet a child and educated there. Before the war he. worked among tho poor at Portsmouth. Mr. Leonard did similar work in Manchester. Both are now devoting the whole of their time to the "Toe H" movement. A public meeting will be held in the Holy Sepulchre Hall this evening. Addresses will he delivered by Messrs. Clayton and Leonard. Archbishop Averill will preside.