Girls' Friendly Society.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume V, Issue 1, 1 July 1914, Page 5

Girls' Friendly Society.

Miss E. Williams will hold a Jumble Sale m aid of the G.F.S. Hostel on July 23rd, at S. John's Schoolroom, Napier. Contributions to the sale are invited and may be sent to Miss E. Williams, Taumata, Napier ; Miss White, Hastings St., Napier ; Mrs Kearns at Mr Chadwicks, Hastings Street, Napier ; and Mrs Ruddock, Hospital Hill, Napier. Afternoon tea will be provided and there will also be a Cake Stall. The sale will be open both m the afternoon and evening. The annual festival services of the Girls' Friendly Society were held on the 19th of last month m all parts of the world. At the Napier Cathedral, Canon Mayne was the Celebrant at the two Celebrations of Holy Communion, and Canon Tuke at that held m S. Augustine's when the G.F.S. Litany and Intercessions were read by the Vicar, and the address was given by the Yen. Archdeacon H. Williams. The preacher took S. James i. 27 as his text, and said that the members of the Society would not be

ashamed of their religion if it sprang from the deep longings of (the heart. They might, on the other hand, if conscious that their profession was not corresponding to their actions, well be ashamed of it. In the history of the Church many societies had been formed to help one side or other of the religious life. The G.F.S., one of these, had been signally blessed m the uplifting of the spiritual life among giris and women. The objects of the Society might be summed up as service, sympathy and purity. The highest possible example- of these was to be found m the earthly life of Jesus Christ, for example, when He washed the disciples' feet, when His sympathy went out to strengthen the weak-hearted and distressed, and when His purity of heart Was so unassailable that no one took up the challenge, " Which of you convinceth me of sin ? " If they would, keep themselves pure, Christ had taught them to first keep their thoughts pure. They must be extremely careful about their companions and never allow themselves to indulge m any sensual jokes or thoughts. They must use prayer, Bible reading and the ordinary means of grace to help them realise the presence of God. Each member could thank God for enabling the G.F.S. to do such work. It had made young women's lives safer, created better feelings ibetween mistress and maid, and safeguarded young girls m big towns. Lodges and hostels had been of great help m this work, and for all this great and wide Society was doing for girl life they must thank God from their hearts. The hymns, led by the choir, were helpful to the bright service, m which many members and associates joined.