MARY S. POWELL

White Ribbon, Volume 18, Issue 10, 1 November 1946, Page 10

MARY S. POWELL

A LOVING TRIBUTE The old Methodist hymn came to my mind as 1 read of the passing of mv dear friend, Miss Powell. “Rejoice for a sister deceased; Our loss is her infinite gain; A soul out of prison released; And freed from its bodily chain.” And that is the spirit in which 1 wish I to write of her. Only a school girl when we fir*i met, j she was my true friend all throngli the years. Her sympathy and understanding. her encouragement and affection- 1 ate interest in all my work have been among the strongest influences in my life. As 1 have grown older, I have appreciated her gifts of mind and character. She was a gifted speaker, a born organiser, and an indefatigable and tactful member of our Union. Reference lias been made to her work as our National Organiser. I have a vivid memory of what that meat.i in one country district. The depth of winter, rain and muddy roads, opposition to, and criticism of. her work; tiring and trying interviews with people, and many di scot: lavements. But she had strong faith in Divine Guidance; and succeeded in forming a Union. Her faith is ustified by the flourishing branch there today. The Temperance Union was only part of her work, for wherever she went she sought to win recruits for the Master * service. She bore her witpess in her own life and in her private conversation with others. There are many who remember how *he spoke of the Saviour «he loved and served so faithfully. The memory of her life and work is a call to u* for greater efforts. Let us try lo he more courageous, consistent and charitable. Let us do all we can to win other* for Christ. For her, we rejoice to remember that “The voyage of life’* at an cud, The mortal affliction is past; The age that in Heaven they spend Lor ever and ever shall Ust.” Margaret A. L. Smart.