THE MOTHERS' UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19808, 1 December 1927, Page 7

THE MOTHERS' UNION.

ADDRESS BY ARCHBHSHOP. The annual festival of the Auckland branch of the Mothers' Union was celebrated in St. Mary's Cathedral yesterday afternoon. The service, which was largely attended, was conducted by Canon Perceval James, and Archbishop Averill delivered a stirring address. Latev in the afternoon the members of the Mothers* Union were the guests of Mra. Averill at afternoon tea at Bishopscourt. In his address the ArchbisJbdp said the Mothers' Union was one,of the greatest forces for righteousness in the couutry. It was to be remembered there was no view on social questions that could ha considered apart from God. There was a tendency m these days to ignore the Divine conception and to consider all questions from tha point of human convenience and selfishness. > On the subject of Bible in schools, the Archbishop said it was essential the children in the schools should have religious training. Hie was quite prepared to challenge the Government or the opponents of the Bible in State Schools Bill to h&ive a referendum taken on the subject, end he was also quite prepared to abide by it and accept the will of the people. Without a fuller realisation of the teachings of God the country would go from bad to worse. The true ideal of patriotism was to do one's best to make the country worthy of its position and help it to make the best of itsalf. Those who endeavoured to ignore this patriotism were signing the death warrant of the country.