PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S MISSIONARY UNION HOLDS AN “AT HOME”

Wanganui Chronicle, 1 November 1946, Page 9

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S MISSIONARY UNION HOLDS AN “AT HOME”

An “At Home” for the delegates attending the Presbyterian Women's Missionary Union Conference, being held in Wanganui in conjunction with the annual General Assembly of the Church, and their hostesses, was held in St. Paul’s Hall on Wednesday night. Iceland poppies, rhododendrons, manuka shrub, and other flowering shrubs in shades from pink to red, together with toning foliage, were arranged in bowls on the stage and on small shelves round the hall. There was a very large attendance, the hall being filled to capacity. The meeting opened with a hymn and prayer and the reading of the 115th Psalm by Mrs Mac Gibbon, who welcomed all present Mrs. A. L. Mouat, president of the P.A . apologised for the Mayoress (Mrs. W. J. Rogers), who was unable to attend.

Mrs. A. Cai rd, president of the Wanganui branch of the P.W.M.U., presented sprays of lovely flowers to the officials on the stage—Mrs. A. T. MacGibbon, Dominion president; Mrs Mouat, Mrs. H. Davies, wife of the Moderator; Miss K. Evans, Dominion secretary; Mrs. A. D. Wilkie, treasurer, and Miss A. E. Evans, minute secretary.

During the roll call the response was as follows: —Auckland Presbyterian Association 28, South Auckland 3, Waikato 11, Bay of Plenty 3, Hawke’s Bay 6, Taranaki 5, Wellington 17, Christchurch 12, Ashburton 5, Oamaru 1, Central Otago 5, Dunedin 5, Temuka 1, Southland 9, Wanganui 19, Girls’ Auxiliary 6. Only three P.A.’s were not represented. They were Poverty Bay, Westland and Mataura. Greetings from sister organisations and inspiring messages were given by Mrs. A. Douglass (N.Z. Society of Friends), Mrs. E. J. Chesswas (Baptists), Mrs. S. J. Goodey (Methodists?, Mrs. S. H. Giddings (Church of England), Mrs. P. Day (Salvation Army), Mrs. H. C. Bebarfald (Church of Christ). Greetings were also received from ex-presidents, the Deaconess Association, and officials. Much appreciated songs were sung by Mrs. G. w. Perrett and Miss Sunderland. Mrs. R. H. Tizard was the pianist. DOMINION PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS “The Dominion executive of the P.W.M.U. rejoice to welcome so large a number qf delegates and their hostesses to our ‘At Home,’ and wo trust that many old friendships may be renewed and new and lasting ones made,” said Mrs. A. T. Mac Gibbon, Dominion president, in her opening address. “On this, the occasion of our 40th conference, our hearts are filled with thankfulness and praise to God as we look back over all the way we have been led and realise how much we have been permitted to accomplish in His Name. We hope our union may be increasingly a source of strength to the home. Maori and overseas work of our Church,” she said.

After referring to the co-operation of the various missions directors and committees and the faithful work accomplished by the special secretaries in all departments of the work, she said the past year had not been an easy one for the women of New Zealand, and she had often heard it said: “This has been a much harder year than during the war. So ma homes have felt the great strain attached to the returning home of loved ones and all the attendant readjustments necessary to rehabilitation.”

The speaker gave an account of the fund for a mobile dispensary for which approximately £5OO has been contributed in cash and promises, and said that Dr. Sutherland hopes to have the mobile dispensary in operation on his return to Jagadhri next year. Mrs. Mac Gibbon quoted from the 12th chanter of Hebrew as one part of her thoughts for the 40th conference, and for the second part she took from the title of a book by Dr. H. P. van Dusen. “Thev found the Church there,” from which she quoted, and then went on to speak of the missionaries who had gone out to various fields of work.

Missionaries who had recently returned to New Zealand were welcomed to the conference, as also were former Dominion presidents, officers and special secretaries, the speaker acknowledging the great indebtedness for the sacrificial service they have rendered to the union. Returned missionaries present were Mrs H. Davies, Miss A. James, M 8.E.. Miss F Ogilvie, Miss Flora Wilson, from China; Mrs. Ryburn, Sister Elliott and Miss Dorothy Matthew, from India.

Mrs. Mac Gibbon conveyed messages from former presidents, one from Miss C. Henderson, who sailed for India close on 50 years ago, and who had been associated with “Harvest Field” for 35 years. Miss Henderson is now in her 84th year and has writtor her autobiography. Other letters were from Mrs. George McNeur, who as Miss Sinclair, went out. to Canton Mission and gave 40 years of service; Mrs. W. Mawson, wife of the pioneer missionary of Canton, and Mrs. Porteous. The speaker quoted instances from Dr. van Dusen’s book of results of missionaries’ work in the Pacific Islands, and the helpful assistance given by the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels to the serviceman. She also referred to the gallant Burmese Christians, a testimony to the work of the missionaries.

Mrs, Mac Gibbon expressed her gratitude to those who were giving hospitality to the delegates. Supper was served at the conclusion of the gathering.