Dominion President's Message

White Ribbon, Volume 24, Issue 10, 1 January 1953, Page 3

Dominion President's Message

My dear fellow Members, \s tins is the first issue of the “W bite Ribbon" lor 1953, 1 do wish you ail a very Happy New Year. The year 1952 has gone and left only memories recalling days of joy or sorrow, victory or defeat, but slowly, as we look back, we can trace the good Hand of God guiding, checking and evei holding us. as the year rolled by. So it will be in this year of Grace. “God’s cloud by day and pillar by night," reminding us of covering mercies and zealous care, is for us as it was for His chosen people so no matter where 1953 may take us, His Divine and certain Presence will be our portion and our security. As 1 sit writing this letter, 1 atn reminded it was here, looking from my window some six months ago, that I wrote of grey skies, wet and ln-draggled flowerbeds and a general air of cold desolation. How different today. The sea, -alely blue; intense sunshine, mountains enveloped in a shimmering haze of heat; flowers gay with colour and birds chattering happily of families reared and hopes fulfilled. What a picture of life. Shadows and sunshine* and without the former, we should never fully realise perl af s the glorious beauty of the latter. Our Christian walk is made up of the same pattern; dark night, bright day, and wise indeed are we, if we remember God as the ever Present, out of a great void of darkness and of nothingness was this world made —and God spoke and behold, it \Vas light.

The same pattern is woven into our work for the Kingdom of God. I* is not always a journey under balmy skies; no, dark disappointments, bitter tears, pave the way for moments of triumph and flowers of achievement. Thp lesson, we poor mortals find so difficult to learn, is that faith must re ich out and vision the delights of summer, when sojourning in the depths of dismal winter. Some have felt depressed at the hardness of t! c Temper viicc way; the winter lias been long, hut faith hears a “rustling aj)d a stirring’* of the public mind." Never has such publicity been given regarding the danger of drinking and driving, as is Leing given today, by means of the press, radio and screen. Intoxicating liquor is declared an enemy to wise and thoughtful conduct. Surely this trend must rejoice our hearts. May we determine that this year shall sec a great forward move in all our Unions and this can be accomplished by prayer, faith, love and work.

Dominion Convention. We have already made our plans for this great event. What a time of joy and inspiration it is to meet in council together! May every I district and every Union send a delegate, by so doing the harvest reaped, will he reflecied in added enthusiasm and good works. Pray for the C onvention that right derisions >hall he made, that each Officer, Superintendent, and l nion delegate will be re-eiitluiscd and that love shall prevail, throughout. Yours in Joyous Service, CONSTANCE TOOMER.