see their little church decorated, for they have every regard and reverence for sacred places. As they are new converts, it is very helpful to teach them by such gifts as this to think much of Divine services and to keep their church neat and clean.

I believe that they prayed for the benefactors who gave them this cloth on the Sunday it was first used, when the Rev. G. Billing administered the Holy Communion to them. The cloth is kept safely by them in a wooden box. I beg of you to write and thank that gentleman or lady for his or her kindness in the name of my people and myself.

With many salaams,

I remain, yours, &c.,

G. ABRAHAM. The writer of the above has charge of more than 2,000 people. He is a very energetic man and a good Churchman.

Jamaica next claims our attention.

Dear Madam,-An unknown friend has just sent me a copy of Our Work, and I am perfectly amazed at the list of good works and labours of love in which the members of the C.E.A. are engaged.

As a young clergyman who has only been in harness a short time, I beg to state a few facts, and set forth some of my pressing needs. Briefly stated, this is my position :—

I have under my pastoral care two churches with large and difficult districts, the roads are very rough and mountainous, so that a great portion of my time must be spent in the saddle.

With the exception of the overseer of a sugar estate my people are all negroes, and the problem how to regulate my modest stipend is most difficult to solve. The people are very poor, but the zeal, love, and self-denial they manifest are beyond all praise. They love the service of the Church of England, and even those who cannot read seem to join in the responses as heartily as the rest. My church at Point Hill was completely destroyed by the cyclone of 1880, and is still in ruins. I am in hopes that we shall soon begin rebuilding. We have not yet sufficient ineans; but I trust help will come in some form to supplement a grant from the fund our Bishop raised in England. The people will give free labour two days in the week.

Our little schoolroom is filled to overflowing on Sundays, and our week-day services are very successful; but one desires to see Divine Ser

vice celebrated in a more suitable building. When we do succeed in raising the four walls of the church, furniture, harmonium, altar, &c., will be required.

Where are they to come from? I know not; but I am sure GOD will in His own good time supply all our needs.

Just now I should like very much to obtain surplices, white silk; also texts and banners to decorate the bare walls of the school.

I greatly need papers and books for the Sunday school, also volumes to form the nucleus of a small parish library, sacred pictures, reward tickets, and, in fact, anything would be gratefully accepted.

I must not forget to mention how much I wish to see the altars properly vested; possibly you may be able to provide us with an altar cloth.

Praying that GOD may bless your noble work and crown your labours with success.—I remain, &c.

We have promised to send a few of the requisites named in the above appeal, and again repeat that we shall be thankful of books and pictures which would be useful for the Colonies.

We have to acknowledge with grateful thanks the following sums in behalf of the Rev. T. Philpot's Mission-the S. Peter's Parish Building Fund, Abaco, Nassau :

Our New Wing.

AST month, under this heading, our closing words were, Who will help us? and we expressed our steadfast hope that ere another month help would come. Nor have our expectations been disappointed, for a few days ago we received the following: I send enclosed the first halves. of four 50%. notes towards the enlargement of the Orphanage. I will send the second when I know that these have arrived safely. I had hoped to have sent more, or, rather, I hoped to have brought more, for I am extremely wishful to see the Orphanage, in which I feel a very great interest.'

Truly cheering and encouraging are such words as these! Cheering, not only for the substantial support, but for the sympathy and approval which they convey. Yes, indeed, good reason have we to 'thank GOD and take courage.'

And shall we say how this unlooked-for gift came about? Elsewhere we have commented on the important service which may be rendered by disseminating broadcast any spare copies of this Magazine. Here is a telling illustration indeed! For our good benefactress says in a second letter: 'You say that my note encouraged you; I always feel that my first hearing of your practical work has been a help to me. I was making inquiries about something quite different, and my old friend sent me a number of Our Work which had been given to him, as it answered some of my questions.'

And so from this third-hand transmission of Our Work comes our two hundred pounds! Surely what we call chances are GOD's opportunities, moving kind souls to do the work He wills to have done for His children.

Our building is rising rapidly, and day by day visible progress is made. The walls are now up to the windows on the first floor.

The basement rooms are complete; they

comprise a bakery, practice-kitchen, larders and store-rooms; also pantries, in which the girls will be trained in systematic methods of cleaning and polishing spoons and forks, washing tea services, &c., and other functions needful for those who go forth into the world as 'parlour-maids.'

From the bakery will proceed the large household supply of the 'staff of life'; and in the practice kitchen it is intended to hold afternoon classes for the girls in the art of cooking. These, we hope, will be of great service to them in after-life-whether their lot be cast in domestic service, or as wives and mothers in homes of their own, or as teachers in our National Schools, where nowadays a knowledge of cooking is so wisely promoted and encouraged.

Over these basement offices we are now able to discern the shape and dimensions of a noble room, extending nearly the length of the whole building. This is the Girls' Dining Hall, or Refectory, and it is seventy feet long by thirty wide-capable of accommodating nearly 300 children.

How we shall hail the day when our Orphans have a dining-room! For it must be known that this is a portion of the original plan, for the completion of which we have had to wait during the two years the Orphanage has been open, and, as our household has increased, many have been the shifts and devices to which we have had recourse in order to arrange all our little people at meal-time. At present the greater number sit down to table in a moderately sized apartment, which cannot hold more than forty comfortably, and which serves all purposes of play-room, class-room, workroom, and eating-room. What a boon then will it be to find ourselves expanded into a spacious Refectory, with abundance of room, height, and ventilation!

On the second floor there will be another Refectory for the use of the Sisters, visitors, and other workers, with folding-doors, so that it can be used as one or two rooms. Again, over this we come to the dormitory floor-another most important feature of the

building, for here the 100 little ones are to sleep whom we hope to receive in the course of next year.

Such is a sketch of our new Wing, for which we plead so earnestly at this present time. Our subscription list shows, so far, an amount of 3,700/. contributed, and we require altogether 8,000l. in order to reach the consummation of our desires, and feel that the extension to the Orphanage is paid for.

A friend calling at the Orphanage the other day made the remark that he was 'surprised we could undertake so much.' He did not doubt that we should get the funds for the Convalescent Home, for such homes were 'fashionable,' but how could we hope to raise the 5,000l. still necessary for the Orphanage? Did not our faith fail us?

The answer was made, Why should we despond when 20,000/. had been raised for the present Orphanage, and now we only require a fourth part of that sum? Our faith and trust ought not to have diminished during the last three years; on the contrary, have not all the events and circumstances of that period been calculated to strengthen our confidence? Ungrateful indeed should we be if we allowed a shade of distrust to enter our minds after such signal proofs of the generosity and kindness of man, and the overruling love of GOD.

Before closing this paper, we cannot forbear an allusion to one portion of our rising walls which calls up a vision of the future. Visitors have noticed the thickness of the outside wall forming the long corridor or passage by which the new building is traversed. Why should it be so much more massive than the rest? This wall is really the outside of what will one day, we hope, be our Chapel.

It is true we have now a pretty temporary one, but it is only a room, and it is already too small. It is only with difficulty we can pack in all our Orphans for their 'Evensong,' and for this purpose the Sisters must vacate their places. Constantly the remark is made, 'Is that your only Chapel? Surely your children cannot all get in.' And we answer, 'Yes, it is difficult, but we do just manage it.' Never

theless, how shall we do when we have 300 Orphans? is a question which forces itself. upon our minds.

And as our Orphans multiply, so, under GOD's blessing, does our community, so do our associated workers; and can it be said that such a noble design as the Orphanage of Mercy, founded and based on the true principles of our holy religion, is complete without its Chapel, where in due course each day its inmates may be gathered together for the holy offices of our Church?

It is not in our power to build a Chapel ; but if it is God's will, He will put it into the hearts of someone to give it to us. We dare not press this need, since we can at present make shift with our temporary accommodation; but we must be pardoned if we make a passing reference to this our very great desire, though perhaps as yet scarcely a lawful one to indulge.

All we dare urge is the fact that it would be a saving of expense could the Chapel be built while workmen are on the ground. It would add greatly to our comfort; but chiefly it would be for God's greater glory that His worship should be offered by us in a fabric raised and beautified for this sacred object alone.

In conclusion, we would add that the above-mentioned handsome donation of 200/., added to several smaller sums, have enabled us to clear our way up to the end of last month. Large donations such as the former we cannot always look for, but all the more need have we for a continuous supply of lesser contributions, if the work is not to be stopped for lack of payments. Oh, then, let not any hesitate to offer even the smallest sum, for all will help to swell the contribution list, and carry us through the present month, with our heavy weekly bills for builders and workmen, &c.

We therefore commend the Orphans' cause to the 20,000 readers of Our Work, feeling that we cannot leave it in better or more sympathetic hands, and trusting that with the enthusiasm of an unselfish charity they will, after their measure, emulate the

generous giver of the 200l., and ease us of our remaining burden.

All contributions to be sent to Miss HELEN WETHERELL, or Miss A. M. THOMAS, 27 Kilburn Park Road, London, N.W.

How We Started a Village Coffee-Louse.

N the large village of W. where the population has doubled during the last ten years or so, in consequence of the discovery of ironstone in its neighbour

hood, it was proposed some months back to start a coffee-house, for the purpose of providing food and recreation for the men working as excavators, and also for those who are employed night and day in tending the furnaces.

It was hoped that, by this means, a centre of mission work might be created, and that thus the workers in the quarries, who lead a migratory and comfortless sort of life, would be brought within the influence of the Church.

The result of the effort was so very encouraging that we have been induced to write a short account of its commencement, in the earnest hope that others may be led to make a like venture, when they see of what great value such a centre may prove to their poorer brethren.

We, the writers of this little sketch, having had some experience in the management of mission coffee-houses, gladly acceded to the request of the Rector of the parish, that we would inaugurate the work, and carry it on for a few weeks, until some zealous Churchworkers in his village had prepared themselves to take it up.

Upon our arrival in W we found that the preliminaries of furnishing and fitting up had already been gone through. The house, which stood at a corner of the village street,

in a sunny and favourable position, had, thanks to the kindness of the Rector and his family, been fully prepared for our reception, and nothing remained for us to do but to unpack and arrange a few crates of cups and saucers, plates, &c.

We then sallied forth to lay in a stock of such home produce as the village afforded, in the way of bread, butter, milk, and eggs; and returned to our new home just as the winter's day was beginning to close in. It was a cold, frosty evening, early in February, with the snow lying three or four inches deep upon the ground, and very cheerful the blazing fires looked as they threw warm tints on the red-tile floor-for there was no kitchen-range, but a fireplace of the oldfashioned sort, with broad hobs on either side for pots and kettles to stand upon.

The house, which could hardly have been better situated, comprised, besides the kitchen and scullery, a good-sized coffee-room with a counter at the further end, and a large table and strong benches in the centre; a second small room, to be used for reading and games; and, upstairs, our little private parlour and bedrooms.

We set to work! Very soon were the crates and hampers emptied, and their contents stowed away, and everything made ready for the morrow's start at this new place of business; quite new it was to the villagers, for, though the population of the place numbered 1,500, nothing in the shape of a coffeehouse had ever been known there.

Our busy work was often interrupted by sundry knocks at the door, and inquiries whether we had anything to sell. This gave an opportunity of explaining our position, and making known our intention of opening 'for business' on the following day.

So next morning a large placard, placed in the front window, announced to all the fact that, for the future, tea, coffee, cocoa, and soup would be 'always ready.' The Rector also made known the hour at which the new coffee-house would open to all the children in his schools, as a sure mode of carrying the news all over the parish.

Next day, at the appointed time-viz. directly after the men had left off work-all was in readiness. Bright fires were blazing, lamps lighted-gas was unknown in our village-urns steaming, and we ourselves stood in our places, waiting to receive our customers and to welcome the first comers.

A whole hour passed and no one appeared! The Rector had expressed to us his fears that the extreme shyness of the working-men and their dislike of anything new might prove an obstacle to the prosperity of the new coffee-house; and this seemed proof positive that these fears were. not groundless.

Yet outside we were well aware that little knots of men gathered from time to time, for we could hear them talking in low tones to each other, and stamping their feet upon the frozen snow.

At length a beginning was made, though in a manner wholly unexpected. Several of the farmers and masters brought in their own workmen, and treated them to basins of soup, cups of coffee, &c., and then led the way into the Reading-room, where they set to work to play draughts, dominoes, and other games. This was a pleasant surprise to the Rector, showing, as it did, the good feeling which existed in his better-to-do parishioners towards the enterprise.

Many were the complimentary remarks. made upon the appearance of the rooms and their bright, comfortable arrangements. Much merriment was created by the size of the cups. Some of the men remarked that they did not know such an extra size was made; others jokingly warned their companions against the danger of 'tumbling in'; while one, who seemed to be regarded as an authority, said he had seen the like in London.' All, however, seemed impressed by the cheerful notion that they should 'get plenty for the money!'

Their shyness soon wore off, and a very pleasant evening we had. And when, at ten o'clock, we said 'good-bye' for the night, and invited our friends to come again next day and bring others with them, the hearty

response came back, 'Ay, that we will; for it be a rare good place-this!'

And come they did! Evening after evening fresh faces appeared, and our customers soon came to look upon the place as their own, and no longer thought it necessary to change to their best clothes before entering it, while the sounds of merriment proceeding from the Reading-room showed plainly that they considered themselves at home.

During the daytime hardly anyone put in an appearance-for the quarries and furnaces at which the villagers worked were at some distance. A few carriers going their rounds, and occasional passers-by, looked in for tea or coffee; and women or children came to buy soup, puddings, or ham. Otherwise we had nothing to do but to prepare for the brisk evening trade, which increased daily. So did our receipts, of course, and we were consequently able to lengthen our bill of fare and to make our list a more varied one. A cheap sort of college pudding was the first innovation, to be followed by baked plum-pudding, jam tarts, and sausage rolls. And as each of these delicacies was procurable for the modest sum of one penny, the enthusiasm of the village lads for the 'New place' was very great.

We were, indeed, surprised at the amount of gratitude our labours called forth, especially among the ironstone workers, who had hitherto possessed no refuge for rest or refreshment but the public-house.

This is comfortable-like,' said an old navvy, as he stood facing the fire after a good supper; 'it's a fine sight better nor the public.'

'It's the finest thing in the world, to my thinking,' said another; 'leastways in

W

'If you can get a basin of soup like this for a penny, I don't see what you want to go further for,' quoth a third.

'It's better nor a quart o' ale,' continued a fourth.

Said another: 'A penny basin o' this soup is worth a pound o' steak; it's that satisfyinglike.'