OUR LATE PRESIDENT.

White Ribbon, Volume 19, Issue 219, 18 September 1913, Page 14

OUR LATE PRESIDENT.

Letter from World s Missionary Fund Department. 571 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A., July 5, KjlJ. My Dear New Zealand Comrades,— My whole heart i' going out to you to-day in such a wave of tender sympathy and sorrow that I cannot refrain from writing ou in this, our common berc avement. I loved your dear President >0 tenderly; I rejoiced '<> 111 her ability and her sweet, grat’nas womanliness; I have been looking forward with such eager hope *o meeting her at our coming World’s Convention, that I feel as if I could hardb endure the tl ought that I 'hall never again have the joy cf clasping had hand and looking into her strong, sweet face. It i' true that 1 may meet her tar sooner than if she had remained to lead and inspire you to r years to come, for Heaven lies as near to Boston a> it does to New Zealand, — but it was a joy to think of her as on earth, even though the broad seas divided, and there was always the hope ol meeting at future triennial Conventions. Well, 1 know your arc saying, as 1 am saying, “the will of the Lord be done.” We cannot understand why a life of su< h rare value to a great cause 'hould be removed while in the very zenith of its powers, but God knows. 1 here must be othe r service in other worlds, and He who remove' III' workmen must 'till carry on His work. It i> a great privilege to have known her, and one of the joys of Heaven for me will be the sure hope of meeting her again. How well I remember the day 1 bade her good bye at the District Convention in dear little Timaru, just two weeks before 1 sailed for Hobart. We had grown very close to each other in our week of close comradeship, and we both realised that it might be a long farewell; but she said “You will surely come back to us,” and somehow my faith has been strong since that I some day should. Hut now, — New Zealand would not be New Zealand without Mrs Cole. And yet the work remains, and yours, dear sisters, is a magnificent heritage of consecrated purpose and devotion to princ.ple on the part of

your leaders. How you must nnss them, “Tom” lay lor, Mrs Cole, and the other promoted ones only your hearts can know, but 1 feel such glad confidence in you that yours will not be an idle grief, but tnat the call for yet more devoted service will come to you as these are taken front your ranks, that I could almost prophesy with absolute certainty th.it \our next election will see the goal of your hopes and endeavour, the downfall of the legalised liquor traffic thioughout your fair Dominion. (iod grant 1 may be no false prophet! I had thought to write you such a different letter, for I wanted you all to know how much we of Massachusetts have enjoyed your gifted daughter, —Anderson Hughes. She was with us three weeks, and they were weeks “in labour most abundant.”

She won the love of all who heard her, as well as then unbounded admiration for her rare gifts of eloquence. She is certainly a countrywoman in whom you must feel gieat pride as one of the best products of your new, free land. My special sympathy, next to that for the bereaved family, rests with the Dominion officers whose “Head” has been so suddenly re mo vet 1 How you will nil's Mrs Cole in counsel! Dear Mrs Don, in particular, is much in my thought, and may 1 tell you a secret? If I had the choice of the woman who should succeed Mrs Cole, it would have been Mrs Don. I know you will hold up her hands in sympathy and in loving, prayerful thought. Hers is no easy task. 1 shall never forget how our own dear Mrs Stevens felt when called upon to fulfil our Miss Willard’s unexpired term. The burden seemed greater than she could bear. Pray for your acting-Pres id *nt, dear comrades, and know that earnest living prayers are ascending heavenward for you all. — From your affectionate, though sorrowful com lade, KATHKRINK L. STKVFNSON. From Miss Agnes E. Slack. Kiplev, Derbyshire, England, 22nd July, 1913. My Dear Mrs Peryman,— Please convey to the New Zealand W.C.T.C. my sincerest sympathy in the very heavy loss all our workers there must feel now dear Mr' Cole has been taken to the Higher Home. K very one seemed to love her. She

impressed me with the fact that there was no smallness about her. She was always so appreciative of all good done by every on* and that spirit enthuses where a critical 'pint disappoints. In her last letter to me there was such a hopeful, courageous note. I fell assured she was being 'pared for a still greatei work, but (iod needed her somewheie else. He makes no mistakes, and in times of loneliness and sorrow that i' our stay. With much love and sympathy, cordially yours, AGNES SLACK Portland, Maine. July 21, 1913. My Dear Miss Henderson,— Wr are very deeph sympathising with our comrades in New Zealand over the great loss that has come to you through the passing away of your beloved and honoured National Pie sident, Mrs Cole. While I have not had the privilege of meeting Mrs Cole personally, 1 have felt a great aftci tion tor her, growing out of m\ correspondence with her, and 1 fully realise her immense value to the work in New Zealand, and to the work of the World’s W.C.T.I. White Kibboners arc heroic, and I am sure you will not let the work falter, but will, as your best and most lasting tribute to your promoted leader, renew your zeal on behalf of those great interests which were dearest to her heart, and to which she gave such devoted service. ANNA A. CORDON.