DOMINION PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

White Ribbon, Volume 29, Issue 4, 1 September 1957, Page 2

DOMINION PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear Fellow Members, Since last writing I have had the privilege of attending the Alliance Conference and it was such a good o'’e and so heartening to see many younger men, both clergy and laymen, taking an enthusiastic approach to present liquor problems. No one can deny that liquor is a problem, and no one can be so blind that they cannot see the wreckage it is leaving in its path. It is good to know that the Temperance forces are not weak, either in the churches or out of them: there are many sober-minded men and women who today feel a sense of alarm and responsibility with regard to the future of our country and our young people. This is good. The Liquor Trade is going all out with regard to advertising, but when statements are made that are untruths and deliberate half-truths, then such advertising cannot prevail. One important factor the Trade has left out of its count is that this is God’s Universe and, because it is, it is governed by God’s moral law. We remember the false propaganda of Germany and Italy during the regime of both Hitler and Mussolini, do we not? Both tailed because both built on falsehood. Someone has rightly written, “The mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceeding small ’, and we who are older can look hack on history—the w’orld’s and our own personal history, and testify to tfiat concept. Let us get on with our work quietly and efficiently and we • shall build towards a "loftier race than yet the world has ever known”. As I pointed out in my last letter to you, it does not matter if we do not see the fruit of our labour; the point that does matter is that we do our part in the building of Christ’s Kingdom, the part that is ouri. We may not live to see the roof go on, but go on it surely will if the workers build in the bricks that are given into their care. Please, dear members, do not have a “Stop-meeting”, often they are not a blessing but an unforgivable nuisance! . . . Our meeting with the District Presidents was a very happy occasion and one which will help L nions. Ten Presidents were present for the a”-day meeting, and it was good for your Dominion Officers to get a closer contact with the key women of our organisation. We appreciated the personal sacrifice the Presidents made to get to Wellington; they came from as far north as Auckland and as far south as Dunedin. . . . Mrs Singleton, our Editress, was unable to get down to W ellington for the Dominion Officers’ meetings, owing to family ill-health, but we are sure she will be greatly heartened if you make good use of the “White Ribbon”. After reading it yourself, see that it gets passed on to a friend or neighbour ... it is a worth-w’hile paper and a wonderful way to advertise the message of Temperance. Most of you will be preparing for Annual Meetings when you read this; my best wishes to you for happy and profitable meetings. I do trust you w’ill have a deep sense of the presence of God, which calms the heart, strengthens the nerves, ennobles the mind and which purifies w’ith the touch of love our inmost spirit. Yours in Joyous Service, CONSTANCE TOOMER.