Page 26 Advertisements Column 2

Otago Witness, Issue 3519, 23 August 1921, Page 26

Presbyterian Social Service Association. P.S.S.A. Debt Extinction Fund. Wanted - £8,250 or 50,000 Half-crowns. The DUNEDIN P.S.S. A. has been at work for 15 years. During- that time it has accomplished much for the comfort and rescue of a great army of young people. In addition to th:s, it has erected Ross Home, one of the ifiost beautiful homes for the aged to be found anywhere. So constant has -been the cry for the extension of our work that the Committee now finds itself burdened with a debt of £6250. This is a crippling burden, from which we seek deliverance. Hence our appeal for 50,000 Half-crowns. Will You Help with your Prayers and your Gilts. THE FAMILY CARED FOR BY THE P.S.S. A. IS DISTRIBUTED AS FOLLOWS ROSS HOME.—Here there are 56 old people enjoying the comfort and care so willingly provided for them by our Church. . GRANT’S BRAES'.—Forty children reside here, under the loving supervision of Sister Mary. All of them attend the school at Anderson’s Bay. THE GLENDINING HOME.—This is the gift of the late Robert Glendining, Esq. _ It is the happy home of 55 boys, of whom 50 attend the Bay School. Five are helping on the Association’s farm, and so preparing themselves for work in the country. THE NISBET HOME (so called after the late Dr Thos. Nisbet). —This is the younger children’s home. Twelve are residing here at present. THE BOYS’ HOSTEL, CLYDE STREET—Twenty boys above the standard of the primary school are proud of their Clyde Street Home. Of these, 10 are learning trades ; the ether 10 are continuing their education in town. THUS WE HAVE 127 CHILDREN RESIDING IN OUR FOUR YOUNG FOLKS’ HOMES. IN ADDITION TO THESE, WE HAVE 3 OLD PEOPLE AND 50 CHILDREN BOARDED OUT. THE ASSOCIATION HAS ALSO THE GUARDIANSHIP OF SOYIE 300 YOUNG PEOPLE. THE P.SI.S.A. THUS HAS THE GREAT RESPONSIBILITY OF MINISTERING TO THE COMFORT AND CHARACTER OF 59 OLD PEOPLE AND 477 CHILDREN. Incidents by [fee Way. A woman lies dying from cancer; the minister sits by the bedside trying to lighten the last journey. “I am not thinking of myself,” she says, “but of my five young children who have no father, and will soon have no mother. As soon as the breath is out of my body I suppose the policeman will come, and they will be scattered here and there.” She was told of the Church Orphanage, iust- established; the promise was made that her children would be cared for; she died contented. The years have gone by again ; the children have all grown up ; some of them are in homes of their own. They realise that all the chances they have had in life have come to them because the Church redeemed her pledge to their dying mother. P.S.S.A. AND THE' GREAT WAR..— Every boy who had reached military age—--120 altogether—went to the front; 30 were killed, seven received commissions, and 15 received Military Medals. SCENE 1, The Juvenile Court.—A sturdy boy stands 'barged before the Magistrate with being beyond control of his grandmother, and is also lazy and impudent. Is placed under the Superintendent of the P.S.S. A. SCENE 2. —Ten o’clock in the incoming. The bov is sitting in front of the fire, crying bitterly because of the hardness of the Superintendent, who wants to force him to work. “I have never been so unhappy in mv life.” he cries, “as since I came under your control.” Reply: “No chance of circumstances becoming easier until you are either steadily at work or in a reformatory.” SCENE 3 (ten years later). —The boy has grown up. lie sits demurely waiting for Lis bride; this is his wedding day. “Who would have thought, of this ten years ago?” he laughed. “I was a regular waster.” SCENE 4 (twelve months after; Baptismal Service).—The Superintendent performing the ceremony. Present: Grandmot,her, husband, wife, and friends. Grandmother beams with joy. “The last days of my life have been the best,” she says, “because of the kindness of 'lorn and his wife, who make ray life very happy.” By your Libera! Gifts will you help us to continue and extend this work. Yours sincerely, ANDREW CAMERON. Convener. E. A. AXELSEN, Superintendent. 355 George street. Dunedin, June 1, 1921.