Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-26
MALL MISSION.
Rev. George F. Berry Tells of Exist.
 ing Conditions in France.

A very interesting and stirring meet ing Of the Norwich branch Of NcAu mission was held on Friday afternoon in the Sunday School room Of the Sec ond Congrega tiona1 church. The president, Miss Catherine Crocker, presided and after preliminary re- ports. with the reading of Scripture and the singing of America. the meet ins was addressed by the Rev. George F. Ferry, field secretary of the asso- citation. Mir Ferrv. a resident for many years of Picardv in France, spoke with deep emotion Of existing conditions there.
 The mission is at present enEa ged in raising q fund to secure the re-hah- iltation of Northern France and that means 3 need for a bigger outlook and sterner effort on the part of all those engaged in the work. Nfr. Berry spoke of the beauty and serenity of the golden grain fields of PicaTdv when last he saw them and the dread with which he looked for wa I'd 10 the. return to those same seen es, now dANastated and dcspoued, a barren waste
 Are we going into this seriously enough--he asked with the determina- % ton to re-ha biIitate the entire life and homes Of these brave and stricken peop1e7
 There exists a need that even mon ey cannot lelp. They arc victims Of brutality and atrocity impossible. ves
  close of the war Tn France seven or eight millions of mon will have been killed and the same number of women lest desolate. Eveu now there is scarcely a. man. between twenty and thirty left in France.
 We are summoned for the first time in our history to defend the ideals on which our life Is based. We must at tin to spiritual life and insight nev- CT before granted us. To do this we must enter into the very life and spir- it Of these nations, our allies, especial Iy France.
 Tn speech at 8 recent dinner Vi via7i the French premier declared that the supreme sacrifice of Christ's life gave him the victory. Except VIC get the lesson of entering into Christ's suffering we have lost the meaning and hope of the worlds salvation.
 Are we going into this movement in such a way that we shall he able to face our own cousclenceS and not be accused within ourselves of utter sell f1shness? Let us take hold of the work. Our efforts have been puny be- fore.
 England has been spending s5O.ooo day and has steadily increased her gifts. Don't let us wait until our suf- ferings bring. it home 10 us to do the same.
 Mir. Berry read several letters from the front, of thanks for gifts received one describing their celebration of Christmas. others from children who had received Christmas gifts. 4 very touching poe>l Passin' By, written bv wounded Australian in hospital, was also read.
 Miss Smith read q description of the varied lines of work now being car cied on by the McAll mission in France and the ests blishIng of soup kitch- ems day nurseries, mothers meetings and all kinds of sewing work
 The Norwich branch voted to give <51I1 FA~. -N a baby boy somewhere in France, and twenty of which was contributed at the meeting.
 very spirited rendering of the Marseillaise was given by Miss Eon- foey and Miss Keen.
 Alter the singing of The Star Spangled Banner. the meeting ad- journed