GATHERING OF MOTHERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23857, 11 July 1939, Page 12

GATHERING OF MOTHERS

- DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN , : UNION'S ANNUAL MEETING There was an excellent attendance at the annual meeting of the diocese of the Dunedin Mothers' Union, which was held yesterday, the chair being taken.by Bishop WJ.Ettchetfc' . ,'. '. Annual Report i Moving, the adoption ot the 'annual report, Bishop Fitchett- stressed .the necessity for Mothers' Union members; to hold close to the ideals for which the union stood. The distressing manner in which the: marriage vows were so often dropped these days was a result of' the light-hearted, casual' way in which'the ; vows were taken; It was the purpose of the Mothers" Union to preserve the integrity of the marriage bond and family life. ' This casual acceptance and equally casual* dropping of vows and contracts was a disturbing, feature of the modern world,, and insistence on the keeping of the marriage vows would tend to stress the importance of keeping to contracts in other walks.of life. The adoption of the report was seconded by. Mrs. F. H. Hudson, who elaborated on certain sections of the report. The challenge to religion in these difficult days, contended . Mrs Hudson, was„ "Jelf ",,iahd it. w_as>the duty of -the' Mothers' Union to subordinate- this tendency to -pander', to " self" to the necessity of preserving the integrity of vows and contracts, no "matter how difficult it might be.to do so.. .' '■', '*■■?. The annual report and .balance sheet were then adopted/, ~'-... ~':.''"■::. • Greetings from, Oamaru A telegram, expressing the greetings and best wishes of the Oamaru branch was received. Motions of Sympathy . . The chairman.mentioned with regret the deaths during the year of Mrs Maude, foe 28 years central secretary, Mrs Brickell and Mrs West. A.motion of sympathy was passed with the relatives in each case. . >V-' Teaching the Children. The work which is necessary in the teaching of the faith to children was the subject of an address by Deaconess A. Park. The speaker stated that from the very' start the atmosphere of its home was absorbed by the sub-con-scious mind of the child. These impressions were all stored ,away and in time had a profound moulding effect on the grown child.. Mothers, actually with the best of intentions, often \ sought to gain the child's obedience through fear: Being constantly frightened in this manner would lead to the building up of a fear complex, resulting in nervousness . and self-con-sciousness in the child. Instead of causing fear to the children,, mothers should endeavour to instill a strong sense of the ever present protection of Christ. It was , the duty of the Mothers*. Union, the speaker contended, to see that the children were properly trained. Sunday school was not the place for the teaching of faith to the child—the Sunday school was more for concentrated or specialised training, and it was. in the home that the child should receive its spiritual - moulding and training: ; : ..*.,. Deaconess Park illustrated . her .remarks with interesting drawings and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks-