The President’s Address.

White Ribbon, Volume 6, Issue 71, 1 April 1901, Page 6

The President’s Address.

Dear White Ribbon Sisters, — Each year as we meet at our Convention we are persuaded that it is tne most eventful year of our history, whether as Biitish subject! or Temperance workers. Surely wo shall not be questioned if we claim for the past year that it carried with it the most stirring events of our ti nes, and that this has been the most momentous we have experienced since our organisation as a branch of the W.CT.U.

“ The South African War,” has necessitated the gathering together from all par 3 of the Colony several contingents of young men who volunteered for active s rvico lor the Empire, causiug desolation in many homes, and siid bereavement ; some survive to tell of heroic deeds, and some hava returned for further service. The homes of many of our sisters have thus been broken into, though “ the boys ” have not been held back, yet mother-love has sorrowfully bid them Godspeed. Our sympathies are with those mothers, aud we pray that God will spare useful lives and restore the loved ones to their homes.

“ Tne World’s Biennial Convention ’ has been held in Edinburgh since our last, meeting, but as Miss Powell attended as our delegate I need not enlarge, as she will tell us of its doings. 1 should like to say here that 1 am sure the addresses of Mist Clara Parrish, after four years’ sojourn in J *pan, travelling aud organising among our Eastern sisters, would be an inspiration and encouragf rnent to anyone who could try to do likewise. Then “our own " Mrs Barney, loved and honoured for her efforts ot reform among prisoners and outcas’S —we all remember her Bible-readings, a source of instruction, and means of grace, for days to come. But I must pause, or Miss Powell will thiuk ism trespassing. She will also tell us of the Temperauee CoDgress, invited by the Archbishop of Cant* rbury, and including representatives from Temperance organisations from all parts of the world. We have been reminded that a former gath ring of Temperunce workers was held in the year lblO, not one woman was piesent and very few clergymen of any denomination, you w ill be told of the progress of the cause as shown in the large audiences at these meetings. “ The New Century ” has dawned, the time looked forward to, as bringing in so many possibilities in all kinds of reform. Scarcely had we staited on its new-born days when the news reached us of the serious illness of our beloved Queen, and tho’ many prayers were offered for her recovery, and hopes were indulged that she might be spared, all had a tad ending on the 22nd January, when

halt-mast, muffled bells, and booming guns told us “ The Queen is dea l.” Neve r shall we forget the sense of loss which these tokens indicattd, and now we pray from our hearts, “ God save the King.” So much has been 3ai<l and written of the excellences, and sterling good qualities of our late much revered Queen, that we feel at a loss to add one word to what has already gone forth. We shall ever love and revere the memory of “ Victoria the Good,” and pray that the mantle of her goodness may fall on her successors, and that religious fre *dem may ever be the heritage of the British Nation. This Colony has been visited by those of the Imperial troops and Indian Contingent, who came out to Australia to take nurt in the

be the result of the resolutions passed at this Convention. M ly the Lord bless and strengthen us all for the work He has designed for each to do, while we give Him all the praise for any success in the past. Yours in White Kibbon bonds, A. J. SCHXACKKNBERO. ♦