ST. MARGARET'S RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15098, 22 March 1911, Page 5

ST. MARGARET'S RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE

By the Rev. James Chisholm.

A living church niust ever be moving into wider views of truth and larger fields ot usefulness.- Absolute loyalty to tho teaching and example of lior Lord and feitviour is one of tho surest tests of such it- church; and lie rewards all faithful service, not with earthly riches, or sucli ignoble ease as Jotos-cators crave, but with tne glory of going on and etill to bo. It is to those who use aright what they havo that more is givon. Our Presbyterian CVmrch has many shortcomings to deplore. She has too often been slow to enter tho doors of opportunity tluug open before her; but sho can abo rejoice in the fact that abundant grace has crowned even her belated efforts in well-doing with a largo measure of eucoess. There is evidence of this in tho present satisfactory condition and fair prospects of her Training Institute, her Knox Residential College, and her orphanago and social service work. Her latest undertaking should have been entered on bjfqro now. It had been recognised that there was urgont need of doing for the young women, who attend the Training and tho University in Dunedin, what Knox Residential College has so well dono for young men. Difficulties seemed, however, for a time to bar the way. These have so far been removed, and tho beginning of an enterprise that has promise of far-ruaehing benefit, not only for our Church but for the whole community, is an accomplished fact. THE NEED 13 URGENT.

There are 60 young women in attendance at tho Training College. Most of theso ateo take clauses in the University. There are, besides, about 70 young women who attend the University alone. Probably about a half of both oomo from liomoa scattered throughout the whole of Otago and Southland. Ono of the things that press heavily on the' hcaits of their parents is tho question where atvl how they are to be lodged. Those who have rooms to let, as a ru!o prefer young men. Somo of tho reasons for this are perhaps not far to s«ek. Young men lmvq outside interests that free the lodgings of their presence for a longer time tiian young women care to bo absent. Furtlrcr, the care in drese that would stamp a young man as foppish is highly becoming on tho part of a young woman. It adds charm to her appearance and helps to buttress her self-respect. But it also necessitates more or leas ircqucnt visits to tho kitchen live and becomes a worry to some landladies. In the far, away <la v v6 in Scotland a mutch would havo been a EQrry-looking thing if, however clean, it had been worn in a limp condition; but when the fine linen was starched and deftly crimped and convoluted with tho 'talian iron it became, in its snowy purity and grace, a fit setting for an honest aid guileless face. All such feminino arts, however, require liberties which landIndies are somewhat slow to allow. In St. Margaret's they will bo provided for. While all "soft washing" will be done for the maidens, they, will have a laundry for themselves where they can do their starching and ironing, far removed from the haunting vision of a reluctant landlady. Tile collego will also furnieh ample opportunities for getting rid of what the Sago of Vorulam in his " Novum Organum" calls "idols of the don." "These have their origin," he says, "from the peculiar nature, both of mind and body, in each person; as also from education, cuetoni, and the accidents of particular persons." There aro limiting habits of mind and body formed within a narrow range of vision, and a small circle of admiring and indulgent friends, that need to be got rid of. ■ There are parochial gestures and turns of speech that ksson personal influence. From the clcso association of varied temperaments and acquirements, in such' a place as a residential college, new lights and now fervours are likely to bo generated, and eelf-co.nceit and narrowness will melt away like thrones of ice on summer seas.

THE SJTE IS CONVENIENT.

The site is only a few minutes' walk from the Training College, and just acrcce the street from tho University. It crowns a sunny ridge that rjsos well ■ above tho noise and dust of public thoroughfares. It overlooks the northern part of tho city. Beyond that is the slope of,the Town Belt, still clad in the rich beauty of tho native bush, while Flagstaff towers upwards in the background, well fitted to raise soul and sense, in times of mental or physical depression, to tho serene heights whence aid comes to cool tho fever of lifo, and make it easier for the heart to eay of tho Lord: "He is my refuge and my'fortress: my God in Whom I trust." At present tho college consists of a roomy house formerly iisscl as a professor's manse, with a large hall that wus wont to serve as a theological library and classroom. Thero is plenty of space foi- the new building that will doubtless, through the generosity of the Church, be erected in the near future. Tho section is held in trust by the Church Board of Property. , A,lease for two,years has meantime been secured at an annual rent of £75, with the obligation to purchase, at any time during the currency of the lease, for £2000. The terms aro regarded by experts as very reasonable. THE MATRON IS COMPETENT. There is no difference of opinion among those who know Mm Jean Callender re-

gnrding her special fitness for this work. Her intellectual attainments arc such as to qualify her for entering with ' helfpul interest into tho studies of the girls. Her religious life is sincere and eminently praciical. While setting up, by her own example, a high standard of conduct, and expecting these with whom she is associated to conform thereto, she will always bo ten-der-hearted towards those who have been worsted in honourable endeavour, and ever ready, by tactful sympathy, to encourage, them to try again. J-ler keen-witted laughter can cut in twain all fretting bonds, and set the energies free for wholesome activity. She will be able by her quiet ftrength to restrain the forward, and to impart confidence to those who are prone to underrate their own powers. She will teach all, that honest work with hand or brain is the passport to true dignity and lasting usefulness; and she will never forget that tho good health, that is so neces«i.ry to strenuous work, is very closely linker! to savoury meals and timeous "daffin." She is confident that she can make tho college self-supporting; and her confidence is based not on abstract reckoning, but on a somewhat lengthy experience es housekeeper in the boarding department of the High Schools and as matron of the Y.W.C.A. Tim NAME IS AH'ItOPRUTE.

St. Margaret, in her own time and way, did for Scotland—and indirectly for England—a work that may well take rank with that of Knox. She was an English princess driven by tho Norman conquest to seek refuge in Scotland. There she won the heart of Malcolm 111 (surnamed Canmore, or Big-head), and became his rjupen. Her gentleness lamed his ferocity and made him great. Though utterly illiterate —tiinblo even to read or write, —ho had insight to discern the worth of Margaret's'character, and was sometimes seen fondling, and even kissing, the books of devotion, from which he plainly saw she drew much of the inspiration that clothed her with true sanctity and the graces of Christian womanhood. She introduced a noble courtesy and refinement of manners into the Scottish Court, and set tho fashion to women of opendinK their leisure hours at home in needlework and embroidery. Kho presented many n token of hor goodwill tci the Church, and both found and imparted rich solace in ministering to the relief of the poor and the needy. Above ali, she strove, by precept and example, to train her children aright. Three of her sons sat in succession on tho Scottish throne. The old chronicler, Willinm of Malmesbury, nvers that "no history has recorded three kings_ and brothers who wero of equal sanctity or savoured so much of their mother's piety." Tho youngest of them was characterised as a " sair saint to the Crown." because of his lavish expenditure in building such famous abbeys as Holyrood, Melroso. and others which bteamo "centres of letters, tillage, tfnd nascent civilisation " Matilda, t.tae daughter of Margaret, became the Queen of Hnnry I of England, and wrought much good for tho religion and liberty of her people. Marsriircl'fi end was of a pieori with her whole life. On her deathbed she lay with a crucifix clasped in both hands, and held lwforo her eyes, as she repeated the 51st IValiri. Her last breath was spent in prayer.

THE AUf IS NOBLE. The aim is nothing short of helping, as far as its social end educative influence goes, to .mould young women to the likeitfss of St. Margaret. Much has been done for onr young men. No one gnulcrcs the facilities that have been placed within their reach lo or(tiin I hem for their life-work, and to form within (hem the moral qualities that contribute to the growth of thehichosl; manhood. On them will depend in largo measure (.lie future of this new land. But surely in equal measure the future will bo determined by t.hn women.

"The woman's cause is man's; they rise or sink Together, dwarfed or godlike, bond or free."

It may be thought that tho life of St. .Margaret's will buf, a MQftli iwtor iu aJisp-

ing the destinies of its residents. They have all the formative influences of classes and associations in the Training College and the University. That :e true. But it should not be forgotten that t.ho times of greatest susceptibility, when tho doors of life's citadel are thrown open mid easiest access can be had to the penetralia of the soul, ate not till! hours of strenuous toil, but tho hours of relaxation amid lwmoly surroundings iuid genial comradeship. Such hours will come moro frequently in a residential college_ than in places frequented chiefly for serious study.

WILL THE WIIOLE CHUHOH EESPOND? No aid will be required for. the maintenance of the college As has already been said, it will bo self-supporting. A generous- response, however, will have to be mado by the .Church a(- large towards buying the property and erecting a larger building. Had t.ho founders and pioneers of the Church and province of Otago foreseen tho larger and more unrestricted spheres of usefulness for women that have been opened up in recent times, they would doubtless have framed their trusts so that women would have shared equally , with mon in social, and educational advantages. Tho marvel is that their vision reached so far, and that such rich provision was mndo for religion and education. We live in other times than they, and if wo are to carry on thei-r work to the grander issues that loom beforo us wo must seel: to possess a double portion of thoir spirit. We havo entered into a noble heritage: let us pass it on enriched and ennobled by our foresight and liberality. It would bcN n becoming tribute to the legions of noblo womanhood, amongst whom eo many of us can doubtless class our own wives and mothers, as well us a dutiful acknowledgement of our gratitude' to God, if wo were to give now, and according to our ability, for tho furtherance of those Interests, which St. Margaret's Residential College is .meant to serve. Mr W. S. Fitzgernlr], so long and honourably known in connection with the training 'of teachers and the education of the young, is convenor of the Presbytery's committee. Ho lias shown much zeal and wisdom in nrosocuting this enterprise, and will thankfully acknowledge any contributions that arc sent to him.