The White Ribbon: FOR GOD AND HOME AND HUMANITY Thursday, November 15 1900. The Canterbury Jubilee.

White Ribbon, Volume 6, Issue 66, 1 November 1900, Page 6

The White Ribbon: FOR GOD AND HOME AND HUMANITY Thursday, November 15 1900. The Canterbury Jubilee.

Although tin* Annivi rsary of tlit* first four ships is not until December ibth, the Canterbury folk have already begun to celebrate the Jubilee of their province. Fifty years ago, as the weary “pilgrims” climlied the seep slopes of the Fort Hills, and gained the summit, there stretched before them a vast yellow, tussocky plain, bounded in the far distance by the snow tipped Southern Alps ; bare, save for two patches of bush, uninhabited, sa\e by dusky cannibals, and a few pioneers. 1 o-day the plain is dotted with prosperous towns and villages, grided with railways, and intersected with life-giving watercourses. 1 he yellow tussock ha> given place to smiling fields of green grass and waving corn, the landscape is bedecked with flocks and herds, and innumerable clumps of trees conceal yet denote the happy homes of prosperous people. Settled by,—as the London limes described the pilgrims of fifty years ago - a slice of English society, Canterbur\ is still pre-eminent in the South Sea> for its English characteristics. Christchurch, its chief town, lacked the natural advantages possessed by Auck land, Wellington, Nelson and Dunedin. Possibly it was this fact that gave such energy to the cultivated taste of many of the early settlers that to-day the sylvan beauty of the town and its surroundings possesses a quiet charm that is wonderfully attractive. Park> and Public Gardens, the winding Avon with its many bridges, ivy clad Colleges, tapering steeples, broad and clean streets, and everywhere Irees and flowers, delight the eye* The sturil) English natuie has once more conquered

the wilderness, and made the desert to blossom as the rose. A Shadow is Cast. Vet sin and sorrow have left their tra es. In conflicts with war-like tribes, or with the degenerate whites in South Africa, *• Shoulder to shoulder and side by side, Lads of ours have fought and died.” I'Le drink trade and gambling and the social evil have been brought to this new fair land, and have claimed their victims. Especially is this manifest in Christchurch at the present time. Among the thousan Is that have been attracted to this city by the festivities are many lewd and vicious, and pitfalls and dangers abound. Although “ Peace hath her conquests,” she has her failures too. There is need for every woman to persistently work until the drink traffic is not only curbed an 1 shackled but completely overthrown and destroyed. There is need for every mother to patiently and earnestly strive to build up in her children a character that will resist every impulse to evil. And there is need for every loving heart that loves the Christ to tenderly care f>r the neglected children, the debased men, and the outcast women. Samaritans. Stirred by this Christ-love, four w >men have opened a “ Women’s Saelter ” in Christchurch during the Carnival week. Two women are in a tendance the whole night from io p.m. till 6 a.m.; tea and coffee and a cheerful fire are provided. The police Inspector has instructed his men where to d ect the wandering steps of any waif oi stray or belated woman, so that she may find rest and safety from the perils a d danger of the night The good 'v mien who have undertaken this work o' mercy and Christ-like effort are En sign Waldie of the Salvation Army, Sister Christian of the Methodist Deaconesses House, Sister Edith of the

Church of England, and one other who prefers to lie nameless. Levites. It is interesting to compare the actions of these women of the Churches with those men who are supposed to be their pastors and guides. A few weeks ago, a committee of Ministers met to consider the social evil. The result of their deliberations was a recommendation to the Government, which would not only be useless but evil if carried out. It is, indeed, only too probable that because of this ill conceived recommendation we shall have a weary and almost heart-breaking tight against the introduction of a new C. I>. Act. Later on the Canterbury Anglican Synod successfully resisted an attempt made by our old friend - Sir John Hall-to give women a vote at Parish Meetings. While their Ministers were trying to relieve themselves of their preventive and rescue work by a recommendation to Government, or were combating the claims of women to a voice in matters in which they are the l>est workers, these good women were quietly planning how to teach an 1 help those who were lost. Which were tlie most Christ-like, the women or the Ministers ? Soldiers of Christ. It would be only fair to say that in the Salvation Army the men as well as the women seem to have caught the spirit of the Master. Not only have they realised that in Christ there is neither male nor female, but th**ir special mission has been to the outcast, the fallen, and the neglected. In the battle against the drink tra le against the social evil, against gambling, there is no force braver or more devoted and whole-hearted than the Salvation Army. In every effort to gain fair play, or bring al>out right living, we have been able to rely on the strong common sense and P)e splendid enthusiasm of the Salvation Army.