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January 23.- Dear Mr. Secretary,-It has for years past been my great wish and aim to give my life up entirely to the work. of CHRIST by joining a Sisterhood. The way at last seems open for me to take this step, and I now venture to write and mention the subject to you. Perhaps you will kindly advise me as to whether it would be possible for me to join the Sisters of the Church in their life and work. Could you also give me any rules that might be in some sense a help to me in the way of preparation?' Such applications as these are by no means uncommon, and we look upon them as a very hopeful sign of the times. Surely it must be through the leadings of GOD's Holy Spirit that we find a growing desire amongst the young to devote themselves to a life of active service for the Church and the poor.

But besides those whom GOD calls to give up all for His sake, there are many others whose vocation is different, and who yet might help the Sisters in their work from time to time, merely as a temporary arrangement. All our members are not, perhaps, aware how gladly they would be welcomed if they wished to spend a few weeks in working at the Home and helping with the various branches of the Society. If it were not for occasional assistance of this sort, a considerable portion of the work must at times remain undone.

Received: several nice boxes of clothing, a package of Church furniture, and a hundred oranges. We were gladdened by a letter containing 100l. towards our Convalescent Home, and 10%. for two poor Missionaries. Only one share of the conditionally-promised 1,000l. now remains unpaid.

We hear that the Newfoundland Missionary has not only received the cost of a pony, but one or two very acceptable donations besides. Several other Mission priests are anxiously hoping to have some of their needs supplied; two especially are in great want of Communion plate, and two others of some decent covering for the altar, a few surplices, and some linen. Indeed, the needs of our poor brethren abroad

are countless; and so we earnestly beg all who have anything of the sort, which they are either not using or have thrown aside, to place it at our disposal.

Parcels containing shirts, stockings, comforters, socks, and counterpanes were duly received, and are gratefully acknowledged.

January 27.-'I am so thankful that I had the opportunity of making the Sisters' acquaintance, when they visited this part of Yorkshire. I spent a very happy half-hour in their company at the vicarage-house in this small village, where I first learned about their work in London. It is very little I can do with regard to money, but, thank GOD, I have a great desire to do all I can for the Society. I distributed the collecting-cards among my friends, and the amount obtained is 3. 11s. 7d. My little class at the Sunday School have done their best. I hope the LORD will bless our endeavours to help you in your work of mercy, and you shall have my constant prayers.' Such is the letter of our North-country friend, and we could hardly have had a kinder one.

A visitor brought a beautiful outfit for an orphan, everything complete-boots, shoes, tuckers, &c.

Another caller adopted one of the children. Three little girls were sent up from the play-room, that she might choose one of them, and it was amusing to see how each drew herself up and tried to look her very best, hoping she might be the happy, favoured one.

Received: aprons, frocks, several pairs of old boots, two nice outfits for girls going to service, a small box of apples, and some packets of tea, sugar, and rice.

January 21.-From the Docks a Sister writes -There are but few labourers at work in the Docks at the present time. A man told us he had had but one day's work in the last fortnight. There are lots of ships. in the Channel,' he said, "but they're perfectly blocked by the contrary wind and dense fogs. If only the wind would shift, there would be plenty of luck for us all.' We may remark that the old proverb, 'It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good,' does not

seem to hold good for those whose daily bread must be earned as dock-labourers.

January 23.-One day this week the fog was so dense that the Sisters had quite to feel their way from the Restaurant to the Soup-stall in the Dock, and the man who wheels the truck was hurt by a cart knocking up against him. He got on to the wharf at last, but was quite unable to see the stall, and would have passed it, had not the men who were waiting for their dinner called out, 'Holloa, man! wherever are yer running to? Here yer are!'

This was at the Wapping stall. On the other side it was quite too dark to see to serve out the soup, and the Sisters were very thankful when one of the men produced a lantern, which he had considerately borrowed for their use. When his companions came to tell him it was time to restore the lantern to its place, he replied, 'No, no; I shan't take it back so long as the "young ladies" wants it!'

The civility shown by these rough men certainly makes it pleasant work to do anything for them, and is gratifying when we compare it with their rude, free-and-easy ways upon our first acquaintance.

Not that they are always equally pleasant. About a week ago, for instance, a very low set of men took one morning to grumbling at the food, and trying to intimidate those who were serving into giving them larger portions at the same price. This could not be; for the object of this food mission is to help the honest labourer to get a good dinner for a fair sum, and not to enable him to live on charity.

When they found their wishes could not be complied with, our poor, rough friends were as cross as naughty children. However, their fit of ill-humour did not last very long; and there were very blank looks when next day the stall appeared minus the particular dish they had complained about. Being too much ashamed to ask for it, the grumblers crept round to the back and whispered to our truck man :-" Any stew to-day?'

'No,' growled the other, for he had felt himself much aggrieved by their conduct of

the day before; 'no, that there ain't. It's too good for the likes o' yer. Yer don't know good wittles when yer sees 'em.'

The inquirers turn back abashed; but one -perhaps more persistent than the restreturned to say :

'Well, they've got "stew" on the stand at t'other side of the Dock, for I see'd it go in.'

'Very likely 'tis so; they knows what's good, and doesn't grumble like you. You'll get no more, so you needn't think it.'

January 25.-A large steamboat in, and more men on the London Dock. Just as the second bell rang to summon our diners back to their work, a man who had been one of the loudest in his murmurs the other day came up (trusting not to be recognised), and said, self-complacently :

'There's been a lot of complaints made when they needn't have been. The things is good enough. It's not the reg'lar men as grumble; it's them as comes down for the day. We was bad off afore you came here, for there warn't a bit of food fit to eat in the Dock. It's best not to notice what the men say.'

The Sister to whom he addressed himself could hardly help smiling to herself to hear him thus confessing his own foolishness.

There is so much discussion among our customers as to who the Sisters of Charity are, that thus cater day by day for their needs, and why they do it, that a few circulars have been printed and distributed about the S. Katharine's Restaurant, explaining the real motives which have actuated the founders of these refreshment-houses for labouring men; the position of the orphans who wait in the Restaurants being also plainly stated.

The customers are excessively pleased with these papers, especially as they contain the assertion that the Sisters are not Roman Catholics, but very earnest, devoted members of the Church of England. The men are also interested in the little account of the orphans who wait upon them. Some beg to take the circulars away to their friends; others ask for papers explaining further the charitable work of the Society.

There is a very wide field open to those

who can discover the way to interest the working-classes in those whom they—as well as we would designate as 'the poor.'

It

In our own limited sphere we have frequent occasion to notice their great liberality, and the cheerful manner in which they will deny themselves for the sake of others. is a not unfrequent occurrence for a man, who appears himself to be almost an object of charity, to slip a coin into the hands of one of our Sisters, saying, 'There, Sister, you can make some good use of it, I know.' Fanuary 30.- From Paternoster Row most cheering news reaches us concerning the new Parish Magazine.

Considering the wide and varied circulation which it already enjoys, it is quite remarkable that hardly one adverse criticism has been passed upon it.

From the clergy of North and South, East and West England come letters of approval and congratulation. What chiefly gratifies us, though, is the assurance that the workingclass are said really to read it with pleasure and interest.

One clergyman writes :-'My poorer parishioners say, "It is written so as we can understand it."' Another :-'My people seem to like it much, and consequently the circulation of our Parish Magazine has gone up from one, to two hundred.' A third :-'I wish to write and express my great satisfaction with the first number of the new Magazine. I hope it will maintain the same sound Church tone in which it is begun. Like other of your correspondents, I should be glad if one or two good illustrations could be introduced, but I would rather have none at all than such vile daubs as one sometimes sees. I have localised the Magazine for my parish, and you may judge of the popularity of No. 1 by the fact that I have obtained 120 subscribers out of a population of less than 500. So that in future there will be very few families, either of Churchmen or Dissenters, into which The Banner will not make its way, for this year at any rate. 1 enclose one of my local covers, and remain, dear Sir, &c., &c.'

Another writer says sensibly :-' The number I have seen is all that I could wish. I am thankful to find a Magazine, of sound Church principles, which I can distribute freely. In these country parishes the influence of one person has enormous weight, and if a publication appears to savour of extreme doctrines it is avoided. Editors, too often, appear to forget the difficulty we priests have in small parishes, and so put in terms and stories which go down only in larger parishes.' Most true; but this is an error which the Editor of The Banner of Faith is determined to avoid.

Several clergy have forwarded us their local covers and printed matter for inspection; and, as the size chosen for the Magazine admits of a good, bold type being used, we must say these covers, with their parish news printed inside, strike us as a very great improvement on what we have before seen.

Some exceedingly considerate persons continue to forward contributions towards the publishing expenses, which are very heavy, and one clergyman most kindly promises 17. annually towards some pictures. He says:'The Magazine is being largely circulated here, and is much liked; but some illustrations will make it perfect.'

February 1.-A few weeks ago 17. 145. 6d. was brought to us by a friend. It was collected in a curious manner. She told us that several of her family were in the habit of coming down late to breakfast, and in order to cure themselves of this slothfulness they agreed, that, for the future, each offender should pay a fine, the sum so collected to go towards the Building Fund of our new Home. Last year a still larger amount was sent us, labelled Elbow Money.' This was the proceeds of a penny fine inflicted upon any of the younger members of the household who were guilty of leaning elbows on the tablethe father and mother having been allowed to purchase indemnity for themselves by a previous subscription of a shilling each.

The Metropolitan of Canada, and the Bishop-Coadjutor of Fredericton write that, in acknowledgment of the valuable and use

ful gifts made by the Society to their dioceses, they wish to become subscribers to our Convalescent Home.

'I return you my cards all filled up, and please send me another packet of shilling cards at once. I will try to collect all that I can during this year.'

'I am able at last to return you the collecting-cards which my two servants have had. They have taken great interest in getting them filled, through reading Our Work, which I let them see every month. May I ask for some more papers and prayers to distribute? I think I have succeeded in gaining three new members.'

'We read, with deep interest, Our Work, which gives such a graphic account of all that is being done; and The Banner of Faith we shall find most useful for lending in our district here, as it promises to supply a need long felt, and furnishes a missing link in the books suitable for such a purpose.'

These and hundreds of similar letters testify to the earnest and widespread sympathy felt for the several branches of the Church Extension Association, and especially for our great enterprise-the building of the Convalescent Home. As the time draws near for us to engage in this great work, we seem to realise more and more how serious is the responsibility; and we can only beseech our friends to share the burden with us, lest it become altogether more than we can bear. It is surely worth an extra effort to help in erecta Home which is to be upon so spacious and liberal a scale-so solid, substantial, roomy, airy-so all that a Home for sick children should be; and which, long after we have been called to our account, will remain a standing witness of the faith and charity of those benefactors through whose generosity it has been built.

February 3.-From the Docks the Sister writes Things seem looking up heremore ships in to-day, and fresh men at work. Rather unruly some of the latter proved to be, as soon as it began to appear that the supplies would run short before all could be helped.

As the pushing and struggling to get 'first served' threatens to overturn the stall, the Sister says, with a smile

'Really, if you make such a noise, I must stop for a time—at the same moment laying down her knife. One man (addressing the others), I say, mates, shut up, can't yer? yer'll make her leave off.' Then, turning to the Sister, he says very earnestly, 'Yer won't stop, will yer, missis? 'cos we all wants our pudden' so werry bad.' The last slice is sold, when up rush three men. 'All gone again!' cries one. 'Oh, dear me! this is the third day I've had to go without.' The others were beginning to clamour, when they were called to order with-Hush! will ye be quiet? Don't yer see she's doing her best, and she can't do more?'

'Oh, if you please, ma'am, turn yer attention this side, will yer?' is a frequent petition. February 4-Everyone knows in what semi-darkness Londoners have been living during the last few weeks, and what gloomy days people have passed groping about in the thick black fog, or trying in gas-lighted offices and shops to carry on the business of life as usual.

Yesterday things seemed to have come to a climax; and if there was a spot where the dark, dense mist seemed more impenetrable than elsewhere, it was down at the Docks. The Sister in charge writes :

:

Half-past eleven came, and it was time to pack up the food and start for our two soup-stalls-one in the London Dock, the other at Wapping. The man who wheels the truck to the latter place positively refused to go on this particular morning. 'It's pitch dark,' he said; 'yer can't see an inch before yer nose. I ain't a going to risk my life!' It was ultimately agreed that he should help the London-Dock man to reach his accustomed stand, so as not to disappoint the poor labourers altogether. Two lanterns were procured, and the procession sallied forth. It was pitch dark. We two Sisters walked close behind the truck, and by dint of feeling our way along the wall, and with the help of two or three persons who

came to our assistance, reached our standingground in safety. We were passing the place, and might have stepped with great confidence into the water, had not a cheerful 'Here yer are, ma'am' from some of our would-be diners, stopped us.

It seems they had not in the least expected us, and very quiet and civil they were; so much more so than ordinary, that one man observed, 'They're tamer to-day, ma'am,' as if he had been talking of a number of wild beasts.

Just as we left St. Katharine's we were greatly saddened and shocked to see the dead body of a man carried past. It seems that two vans had come into collision in the obscurity, and the driver of one, falling from his seat on to the pavement, was killed instantaneously. How, living in a neighbourhood like this, where such sad casualties are only too common, we learn to realise the truth of the words-'In the midst of life we are in death!'

'Please say again for us how extremely grateful we feel to the kind well-wishers who so continually send us the Illustrated Papers. They afford most genuine pleasure to the men; and when they have been well turned over, thumbed, and spoilt, we sell them for waste-paper, and so make little towards our expenses.

'We have also received several donations through the post-of 2s. 6d., 5s., and Is. Id.— which we desire to acknowledge. The expenses of this Mission are, and must be, very heavy, and it is cheering to receive help from these distant friends. An anonymous gift of early snowdrops, &c., was also welcomed gladly.'

February 6.-Taking advantage of the darkness last week, some of 'the unemployed' managed to steal some meat-sandwiches from our truck as it wheeled slowly through the murky fog. As these poor men belong to the dangerous classes,' we can hardly be surprised that they availed themselves of this opportunity of supplying their needs gratis. Considering their lack both of provender and principle, we only wonder they didn't do much worse.

From our Restaurant in 'the Row' the report is that it is next to impossible to serve the men who crowd in. All the food provided is pronounced excellent. An old man presented a note from a friend of his, containing a request to be furnished with the receipts for our soups. The writer was an invalid, and had found our Scotch broth, &c., nourishing and digestible. Of course the desired directions were most willingly supplied. At the same time we rather doubt the result, for English people seem to find soupmaking an insuperable difficulty. As the saying is 'It seems to taste of nothing but grease and water.' Some of the men are noticed deeply engrossed in The Banner of Faith.

The sales in the Book-store amounted last week to the encouraging sum of 377. We are truly thankful that our publications are beginning to sell well, for the printing expenses are about the heaviest we have. We find it very difficult to meet them. Among various gifts received at the City Restaurant we must notice: five large barrels of apples, a cheese, a parcel of clothing, and 34. 35. towards a street-truck.

February 6.-Yesterday, Sunday, a most pleasant surprise greeted one of the Sisters at the Shoreditch Sunday Schools. A little girl presented her with an envelope containing 10s., and an Orphanage collecting-card well filled up with pennies. The child belonged to a class of some fifteen or twenty of the Shoreditch poor-many of them very poor. Some of these had themselves been among the inmates of our little seaside Home, and they had worked hard to collect the desired sum, in spite of hard times, sickness, and poverty! The well-worn condition of the card bore testimony to the many fingers through which it had passed. One girl of eleven had obtained upwards of 3s. by her own efforts. And when it is mentioned that she is one of a needy family of six, the father of whom is often so crippled with rheumatism as to be unable to work for weeks together, the zeal which animated this unselfish worker surely deserves to be recorded, if only that others may be moved to 'go and do likewise !'

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