[Editor: This article, referring to the celebration of Mother’s Day in Adelaide, was published in the “Topics of the day” section in The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), 10 May 1909.]
Mothers’ Day.
“Mothers’ Day” was observed by many people and in many places in Adelaide yesterday. In scores of buttonholes were to be seen either white ribbons or white flowers, the emblems of truth and purity, and the filial evidence that “the wearer loves to honor his mother.”
At Prospect Methodist Church and elsewhere the services had reference to the subject of motherhood. The suggestion that on one day in the year the residents of the Commonwealth should join with those in America and other lands in paying a tribute of respect and gratitude to all good mothers has apparently proved acceptable to a large portion of the community, and it is likely that year by year the observance of the anniversary will expand over a wider area.
The second Sunday in May is now generally set apart in the United States as a period for the extolling of the virtues of mothers, and eloquent panegyrics are uttered from many pulpits and platforms on that day concerning the great debt which the world owes to its mothers. The mothers of Australia are no less deserving of praise and gratitude than are those of the great Republic.
The pains and the cares of motherhood are apt to be forgotten, and the influence which a mother has in shaping the destinies and forming the character of her children are in danger of being overlooked even in countries where politically the woman is placed on an equality with her husband. It is a good sign, therefore, that here in the Commonwealth “Mothers’ Day” should be elevated into the position of an annual institution, and that the claims of the mother to special honor and respect should receive due recognition.
The new movement is designed to give expression in a fitting form to the love and reverence already deep and vital, and to organise on definite lines the manifestation of a deep-seated affection which repeatedly finds private utterance.
Next year it is hoped that locally there will be a much wider celebration of “Mothers’ Day” than was possible, owing to the short notice given, this year.
Source:
The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), 10 May 1909, p. 6
Also published in:
The Chronicle (Adelaide, SA), 15 May 1909, p. 35, column 2
Editor’s notes:
Commonwealth = the Commonwealth of Australia; the Australian nation, federated on 1 January 1901
filial = of, or relating to, a son or daughter
panegyric =a speech or piece of writing which praises someone or something; a formal public speech which praises a person, plan, event, etc.; a formal commendation or eulogy; elaborate, high-blown, hyperbolic, or over-the-top praise
[Editor: The original text has been separated into paragraphs.]
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