THE STOCKING WORK.

White Ribbon, Volume 37, Issue 437, 18 December 1931, Page 2

THE STOCKING WORK.

(To the Editor). Dear Sisters and Friends, — Again I am indebted to the Editor for space to report the work accomplished this year tor Foreign Missions. By .January Ist stockings had arrived from different jiarts of the Dominion, and we were able to make an early start with the sew'.ng. Our numbers have rapidly increased, and we have workers now in Fibsherbert W., Wanganui, Christchurch, Timaru, Mosgiel ar.d Dunedin, and friends who send parcels from towns and country. Between us 552 garments have gone out, ami more are ready for transport, most of them made with three stockings, the feet being utilised for sleeves. This will give some idea of the quantities of material used in the year. As usual, want of space prevents our publishing the letters of acknowledgment, but by way of thanks, I give some brief extracts: Miss Hastie, successor to Ramaiiai at Mukti, writes: “Blessings on the heads of those who made the vests. The two parcels arrived this week, and though we hail to pay 10/- duty, we did not begrudge it. because they were so worthwhile. The mornings are cold, and will be colder towards Christmas. It brings fever in its train, so we are very glad to have these warm things just at this time. Some new babies have some of the smaller ones —there is enough for all. We thought a man’s cardigan had got in by mistake, hut we straight aw’ay gave it to our Indian Pastor, for he isn’t very well. You should have seen his wife’s face beam when ohe said, “H<* has long lieen needing just this; now he’ll be warm.” (Will the unknown donor please note?) Much more w’as written about the wool Mes made out of all sorts of underwear, cardigans, pullovers, etc., for the women in all depart merits at Mukti. concluding with the reminder. “And the Lord says, ye did it unto Me.* ”

Miss Parsons, at Pandharpur, w’rites: "I must thank you for your loving ministries on behalf of the children’s work here. You ask if it is w’orth the heavy expense of duty and postage to continue making them? Yes. it is indeed worth while! The woollen ones are used In the dispense.ry, for they help so much In the numerous chest cases that come to us; It is marvellous how’ it helps when the sufferers can have something warm on during the mins. You have hit on the right way to make them; three stockings in one garment, with s’eeves, are lovely, and can be used as little frocks. All you sent are truly Ideal. We had to pay duty on each parcel, but made no objection because of the value they are to the w'ork " Miss Vinev, of Coonoor, writes: “Your splendid bundle of vests arrived by this mail, and I hasten to thank you most warmly for them They are most welcome, because of the comfort they will be to the numlier of little ones. We are so glad to have them now at the be ginning of the north-east monsoons,

when we have a lot of cold, dump weather, for which the people ate usually unprovided So eager an* the mothers for tin vests that they frequently bring money to pay for them if only we will let them have them.”

letters from Coonoor, Engledene, and Hebron are on similar lines. l’athetic incidents are given of sick children comforted with a vest; of school children, when receiving one for a prize, immediately putting it on, and living in U l!m'ugh the cold season. All the missionaries concerned repeat their warmest thanks, and remind us of the prone sts given to workers, helpers, givers, and even to those who remained b> the stuff. In this case 1 should put it, "who gave the stuff " 1 wash I could tell you how marvellously the parcels come to me regularly through the year. Oftimes I canrot cipher the post-mark, and as no word is enclosed, cannot acknowledge them, but hope this brief statement will be sufficient thanks to all who are Interested, and that no one will ever destroy' their used stockings, hut save them for use among needy children. With the season's greetings and best of good wishes, Gratefully yours, RACHEL DON.