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Exchange of News & Views

Calling All Guilds !

Members of Women's Guilds are cordially invited to the rally and conference at Epping on Wednesday, 17th March. For a number of years Guilds of the North Sydney Presbytery have been meeting annually, sharing a basket lunch and enjoying the stimulus of comparing programmes and discussing problems. Last year Guilds from Sydney and Hawkesbury joined in.

This year it is hoped that members of country Guilds, who may be in the city,- will come to Epping on St. Patrick's Day. Morning tea at 10.30; morning session at 11.0; basket lunch at 12.15; afternoon conference at 1.30.

The Draft Constitution for the Associated Guilds of the Presbyterian Church in N.S.W. will be presented and the new organisation inaugurated. 126 Guilds have already, indicated their desire to be foundation members. The following very representative Committee has this matter in hand: — Mrs. A. C. Grieve (Drummoyne), President; Mrs. J. Gray Robertson (Mosman), Vice-President; Mrs. J. B. Rae (Epping), Secretary; and Mesdames V. C. Bell (Strathfield), G. N. Bensley (Burwood), H. S. Bunn (Epping), E. Finlayson (Convener Australian Market), D. J. Flockhart (Wahroonga), F. Hanlin (Manly), J. A. Hunter (Haberfield),.W. Lesslie (Burwood), N. Miller and Miss C. A. Morrison (Presbyterian Women's Federation), M. O'Doherty (Hornsby), G. M. Scott (Kogarah), A. Trafford Walker (Northbridge), E. H. Vines (Campsie), together with four ministers appointed for consultation by the Presbyteries of Sydney and North Sydney Dr. V. C. Bell, Rev. G: N. Bensley, Rev. Frank Hanlin, Rev. J. Gray Robertson.

Guilds who have not yet replied to the Committee's letter of enquiry are asked to please answer as soon as possible to the Hon. Secretary, Mrs. J. B. Rae, 27 Cliff Road, Epping.

Y.M.C.A. Leadership Training.

Mr. T. M. Haslett, of The Scots College, writes to remind us of the good work being done in the Y.M.C.A. College of Leadership Training, which is now enrolling students for the course commencing next month.

The curriculum is designed to give sound academic preparation in appropriate subjects and to teach practical methods and skills in youth activities. At the same time the schedule is arranged to permit half-time work if necessary for the support of the student whilst in training.

Mr. Hazlett points out that there are ten trainees at present doing part-time service in various suburbs of Sydney. They will graduate at the end of the year. He adds: "If you know of part-time or half-time opportunities for youth work I would be glad to hear of them. It may be that we could provide a student who would fill the need to the advantage of all concerned."

Quiet, Please!

On a church bulletin, heading the order of morning worship, I found these words : "Silence is requested before the service begins." And silence is proper. A quiet reverence is essential to worship. But sometimes that end would be better served if it were exemplified in the ushers, officers, choir—and in the parson lolling carelessly in the pulpit chair. And I wonder why we Protestants talk about a "service" instead of talking, as our fathers did, about "worship."

—Dr. D. Burrell in "The Presbyterian," U.S.A.

Victory Thanksgiving Fund.

The Secretary of the V.T. Fund says:

"The Victory Thanksgiving Fund of the Methodist Church of Queensland has obtained £80,000 and they expect to obtain their quota of £100,000 by the end of this year.

"Our Victory Thanksgiving Fund is launching a special campaign during 1948, in order that we may obtain our quota of £200,000.

"This demands a sacrificial gift from every Presbyterian in New South Wales."

Vacant Parishes.

The following is a list of the vacant charges together with the Interim-Moderator of each charge and his parish.

Narromine: Rev. A. F. Meldrum, Trangie. Berry: Rev. E. Graham, Nowra. Kiama: Rev. C. E. Turnbull, Wollongong. Narrabri: Rev. R. L. McInnes, Gunnedah. Tenterfield: Rev. J. M. McDonald, Glen Innes. Gosford: Rev. M. J. O'Doherty, Hornsby. Kyogle: Rev. C. T. P. North, Casino. Lakemba: Rev. E. H. Vines, Campsie. Ardlethan: Rev. H. F. McDonald, Temora.. Murrumburrah: Rev. H. Perkins, Cootamundra.

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Foreign Mission Items.

The Rev. H. M. and Mrs. Bell, recently arrived from New Zealand and are at present attending the special missionary medical course for non-medical workers, in Melbourne. It is expected that they will leave to take up work at Aulua, Malekula, New Hebrides, towards the end of April.

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The Rev. C. W. McLeod, from Tanna, New Hebrides, is also attending the short medical course in Melbourne.

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Mr. R. M. Trudinger, of Ernabella, was married in Adelaide on the 31st January. After a brief honeymoon spent in Melbourne, they will leave for the centre on 19th February.

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Further developments in native pastoral training at Ernabella are planned. The Board of Missions is still seeking a volunteer Assistant Missionary, with previous practical experience in the sheep industry.

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St. John's Theological College, Morpeth, is the scene of a preliminary South Pacific Christian Conference from 23rd to 28th February. Representatives from the major Denominational Mission Boards of Australia and New Zealand, office-bearers of the National Missionary Council, and some Pacific Missionaries, are to be present. Guest delegate is the Rev. Norman Goodall, Secretary of the International Missionary Council.

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Owing to the suspected presence of widespread T.B. among the Bentinck Island natives recently befriended by our Mornington Island Mission, a doctor will shortly go north from Brisbane to survey the position.

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From a Scottish Calendar:

O' friendly help we a' hae need,' To clear life's crooks and cairns;

Ne'er mind the country, or the creed— We're a' ae mither's bairns.

John Macleay Peacock.

We'll bark oorsel's ere we buy dogs sae dear.—Proverb.