IN MEMORIAM

White Ribbon, Volume 36, Issue 432, 18 July 1931, Page 5

IN MEMORIAM

MRS W McARA. On the 9th of June, 1931, Mrs McAra, wife of the la*e Rev. W. McAra, of Sumner, passed away at the ripe age of 83. After forty years’ splendid work in Kalkoura, she and her husband continued their successful ministry in Sumner, where she will be much missed. She has l>een an earnest worker in the cause of Temperance and Prohibition, and always took the keenest interest in the work of the local W.C.T.U., of which she was Yice-President. The cause of Missions also came very near to her heart. She was President for years of the Presbyterian Womens Missionary I’nion in Sumner. She was one of the “Ijord’s Remembrances,” and was always present at the week-night services. us well at both services on Sunday. Her’s was a long life, full of interest and activity. Her mental faculties were keen and clear to the last. Her sympathy dns *her trery nasi to the lives and homes of the needy, and she could readily enter into and understand their difficulties and problems. She drew out what was best in each one, and she made the manse a haven of rest and help. Her hospitality was proverbial, and her sw-eet smile and cheerful welcome made the poorest feel at home. She exercised remarkable tact, and made for the peace of the congregation by her wise counsel and shrewd commonsense. She lielieved the bes» and hoped for the best in everyone. She leaves the memory of a long and beautiful life. If she knew of any case of want, she and her husband were always ready to render practical help. From her ear'icst years she had a deep love for her Saviour, and her faith in Him was clear and firm to the last. Her passing w-as only the gateway into a better life. She Is safe in the Father’s keeping in the "home of many mansions.’’ She will be greatly missed by all who loved her, hut 'their loss is her gain.

I >ear Sisters, — You will rejoice to know that funds for the extinction of Headquarters second mortgage now amount to £163 9s 2d. This is only £lB6 10s lOd. short of the amount Convention asked for (£650) from the I’nions throughout New Zealand. and we expect still a little more to come in.

It has been a supreme and magnificent effort in this time of financial stress, and on l>ehulf of the whole Union may 1 congratulate everyone who has helped in any way at all to bring it about? We shall now l»e able to pay off this mortgage at the end of July, and so save the interest, thus lifting part of a heavy burden from the shoulders of our N.Z. officers and the Headquarters Committee. Now for our poll work. It is prolvable that the elections will not l>e later than Septemlier, so we have little more than two months in which to finish our educational work and gather up our voters. Two poll work organisers are already in the field Miss Lynn in the King Country, and Miss l>ouglas in the Wellington district; while lx>th the Misses Me Lay have l>een sent down South to concentrate in the No-License areas. These areas are threatened, as always, with Restoration majorities at the poll, and our White Ribbon sisters of Otago and Southland are lending all their energies to preventing this calamity from overtaking them. Let us rt-memljer them ever in our prayers. Your N.Z. officers and the N.Z. Literature Committee have spent many hours of careful thought and study on the question of suitable literature. You will see from this “White Ribbon” what we have in stock. There are tens of thousands of concise leaflets on the scientific, social, and economic aspects of the drink problem. Local and District Unions may purchase at a reduction of 50 per cent, for free distribution. 1 ask you once again to show your loyalty to the I'nion and the cause we all love by getting these leaflets and putting into the hands of every New Zealand voter the striking facts contained therein.

We cannot all give a great deal, nor can we all speak in public or do organisation work, but these two things we ran do, and they are vital —educate public opinion through our literature, and pray for our cause and our workers. Day and night let ur. beseech the throne of grace and love on liehalf of the suffering and handicapped children of this fair land, the children whom Christ loved and died to save. With loving greetings front ELIZAIiETH TAYLOR, Dom. I‘resident.